The themes addressed in Ecclesiastes are not new—work, the search for knowledge, the shared destiny of humans and animals, injustices, and so on—but the way they are presented groups them around human destiny, expressed in two different ways: 1. It is impossible to determine the destiny of human beings and creation—the fear of the Lord, which we already discussed in 7:1-14, 18. 2. The same fate awaits everyone. The conclusion he reaches, as found in 9:7-10, is identical to that expressed in the previous section and elsewhere: enjoy everyday activities.
Among all the topics discussed, death is the most emphasized in this section. In 9:5, Qohelet agrees with the traditional teaching, which states that death is a place without hope, “sheol,” darkness (Nm 16:30-33; 1 Sm 28:8-14; Is 14:9-11; Ps 88:12; Job 10:21ff). He differs from some of his contemporaries, likely precursors of Dan 12:2 and Isa 26:19, whose beliefs ultimately won out, for example, that the righteous would receive a reward after death.
By this point in the book, we are already familiar with Ecclesiastes’ perspective. We see again that his reflections are not lacking in common sense, nor are they disconnected from reality. The inability to know people’s destinies, death that levels everyone and seems to destroy everything, and the fact that justice is not always rewarded—at least on this earth—are some of his conclusions. Perhaps the most crucial aspect of his teaching is the idea that even the wisdom handed down from ancient times does not influence his observations and conclusions. Hasn’t religion, in its many forms, historically been a factor that has clouded the true image and experience of God?