Memory Verse(s)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
Overview|Background
Qoheleth looks for life’s meaning. He becomes frustrated with the limits of what he can know and experience, yet he also discovers the fundamental importance of reverence for God and enjoying God’s good gifts.
Job, Proverbs, Ruth, and Song of Songs have shown that life has many difficulties. Yet they conclude that troubles can be overcome through reconciliation with God (Job), by developing wisdom (Proverbs), through friendship and community kindness (Ruth), and by love (Song of Songs). None of these books claim that solutions to problems always come quickly to hand. Ecclesiastes agrees. This book delves deeply into the missteps and frustrations one can encounter when trying to learn what matters most. It deals with how to accept life’s limits and find life’s ultimate purpose. Taken together, the Wisdom books offer a realistic and comprehensive view of life.
Key Passage(s)
Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
(11) I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
(12) For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
(13) This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
(14) There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.
(15) Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
(16) Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.
(17) Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
(18) Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
(9) And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
(10) The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
(11) The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
(12) And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
(14) For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Key Facts
Authorship & Time Period
Scholars have offered three basic options for the book’s authorship and setting. First, many think Solomon is the book’s author, whether he wrote the book or had a scribe write it down for him. In 1:1, the author identifies himself as Qoheleth, which in Hebrew basically means “preacher,” or “one who gathers” people or words. He adds that he is “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1 ESV). The book’s conclusion states that Qoheleth was an arranger and teacher of Wisdom literature (12:9–10). Solomon was David’s son. He ruled Israel c. 970–930 BC, and he collected and taught songs and proverbs (1 Kgs 4:29–34). The author also possesses great wealth (Eccl 2:1–11), which was true of Solomon. Finally, Jewish tradition linked the book to him. The author of Ecclesiastes shows familiarity with several ancient books (see later), and Solomon had access to those works.
Solomon’s reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C. Full Article: When was Ecclesiastes written?
Type of literature
Wisdom Literature
Characters
MAJOR CHARACTERS: Qoheleth and a narrator
The Story
Summary
Two phrases are repeated often in Ecclesiastes. The word translated as “vanity” in the KJV, and “meaningless” in the NIV appears often, and is used to emphasize the temporary nature of worldly things. In the end, even the most impressive human achievements will be left behind. The phrase “under the sun” occurs 28 times, and refers to the mortal world. When the Preacher refers to “all things under the sun,” he is talking about earthly, temporary, human things.
The first seven chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes describe all of the worldly things “under the sun” that the Preacher tries to find fulfillment in. He tries scientific discovery (1:10-11), wisdom and philosophy (1:13-18), mirth (2:1), alcohol (2:3), architecture (2:4), property (2:7-8), and luxury (2:8). The Preacher turned his mind towards different philosophies to find meaning, such as materialism (2:19-20), and even moral codes (including chapters 8-9). He found that everything was meaningless, a temporary diversion that, without God, had no purpose or longevity.
Chapters 8-12 of Ecclesiastes describe the Preacher’s suggestions and comments on how a life should be lived. He comes to the conclusion that without God, there is no truth or meaning to life. He has seen many evils and realized that even the best of man’s achievements are worth nothing in the long run. So he advises the reader to acknowledge God from youth (12:1) and to follow His will (12:13-14).
Major Events
- This book is not narrative, and as such, does not have “events”
Themes
- Searching for meaning
- The fear of the Lord
- The value of wisdom
- The enjoyment of God’s good gifts
Outline of Ecclesiastes
- Author (1:1)
- Theme: The meaninglessness of human efforts on earth apart from God (1:2)
- Introduction: The profitlessness of human toil to accumulate things in order to achieve happiness (1:3-11)
- Discourse, Part 1: In spite of life’s apparent enigmas and meaninglessness, it is to be enjoyed as a gift from God (1:12;11:6)
- Since human wisdom and endeavors are meaningless, people should enjoy their life and work and its fruits as gifts from God (1:12;6:9)
- Introduction (1:12-18)
- Seeking pleasure is meaningless (2:1-11)
- Human wisdom is meaningless (2:12-17)
- Toiling to accumulate things is meaningless (2:18;6:9)
- Because people must leave the fruits of their labor to others (2:18-26)
- Because all human efforts remain under the government of God’s sovereign appointments, which people cannot fully know and which all their toil cannot change (3:1;4:3)
- Because there are things better for people than the envy, greed and amibition that motivate such toil (4:4-16)
- Because the fruits of human labor can be lost, resulting in frustration (5:1;6:9)
- Since people cannot fully know what is best to do or what the future holds for them, they should enjoy now the life and work God has given them (6:10;11:6)
- Since human wisdom and endeavors are meaningless, people should enjoy their life and work and its fruits as gifts from God (1:12;6:9)
- Discourse, Part 2: Since old age and death will soon come, people should enjoy life in their youth, remembering that God will judge (11:7;12:7)
- People should enjoy thei life on earth because their future after death is mysterious, and in that sense is meaningless for their present life (11:7-8)
- People should enjoy the fleeting joys of youth, but remember that God will judge (11:9-10)
- People should remember their Creator (and his gifts) in their youth, before the deteriorations of old age and the dissolution of the body come (12:1-7)
- Theme Repeated (12:8)
- Conclusion: Reverently trust in and obey God (12:9-14)
Where Do We See Christ?
Meaning is only found in Christ
Ecclesiastes teaches us some hard but important truths: life without God is empty, death is inevitable, and nothing in this world can truly satisfy us. But these truths point us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, where we find hope, meaning, and eternal life. Jesus is the answer to the frustration Solomon describes. Through Him, we are given purpose, forgiveness, and a hope that transcends the temporary nature of this world.
If you’ve ever wondered what the meaning of life is or struggled with the question of why things seem so fleeting, Ecclesiastes is the book for you. It will challenge you to look beyond the surface of life and see the deeper truths that can only be found in God. And as you read, you’ll discover that the longing for eternity that Solomon speaks of is fulfilled in Jesus, who offers us life to the full.
Reading Ecclesiastes with an open heart will lead you to the ultimate truth: life is meaningless without God, but in Christ, everything finds its purpose. So go read Ecclesiastes, and let it point you to the One who makes life worth living—Jesus Christ.
Point of Application
How can we apply this to our lives today?
We all desire meaning in life. Often that search takes us along winding, up-and-down paths filled with bursts of satisfaction that shine bright for a time but eventually fade. In one sense, it’s satisfying to see that experience echoed throughout Ecclesiastes. An appreciation for our common humanity emerges from reading its pages. We relate to the journey of Solomon because, for so many of us, it is our own. When we attempt to find meaning in the pursuit of pleasure, the commitment to a job, or through plumbing intellectual depths, we all eventually find in each of these pursuits a dead end.
Ecclesiastes shows us a man who lived through this process and came out on the other side with a wiser, more seasoned perspective. When we’re surrounded by the temptation to proclaim life’s ultimate emptiness, we can find in Ecclesiastes a vision tempered by experience and ultimately seen through divinely colored lenses. Life is destined to remain unsatisfying apart from our recognition of God’s intervention. It only remains to be seen whether or not we will place our trust in His sure and able hands.
Discussion Questions
What are some ways you have “chased after the wind” that the Preacher refers to?
Why do you think this book is included in the Bible?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You for practical advice for living given to us in the book of Proverbs. Holy Spirit, guide us in the ways of Wisdom as we seek to follow a path of righteousness.
Current Prayer Requests:
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
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Andrew McKinney – employment provision
Bob & Gaynelle – mother’s hospitalization (from Mike Arras)
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Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, VLAP operation
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Daryl’s employee Tara – ill (possible tumor) in Cambodia
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Joe & Deb – continued prayers for Deb’s Dad
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Ryan – Interview, new job opportunity
Additional Content
FOR GREATER HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING: ECCLESIASTES AND ANCIENT LITERATURE
Roland Murphy observes that Ecclesiastes has similarities with ancient texts that date well before Solomon’s time. Babylon had texts that expressed pessimism about life and that questioned why injustice is so prevalent in the world. Egyptian parallels include “The Man Who Was Tired of Life,” which focuses on the idea of death being better than life. As in the case of law, prophecy, and psalms, Israel’s writers adapted wisdom materials to their theological beliefs and their audience’s needs. They chose known literary forms to do so.
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