All is Vanity “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl 3:1 NRSV). [1] These words start the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes. They were written by an anonymous Qoheleth. This Hebrew word is not a name, but a title. It means preacher or teacher or someone who speaks to an assembly of people. And the very first thing we hear from him is, “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (1:2). Qoheleth repeats this phrase throughout the book and expands upon it, giving many examples to show that life is meaningless. The work we do…