THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

INTRODUCTION:

1.A Book of philosophy of life: The record of a search for purpose, meaning and satisfaction in life, in view of all the inequities and wrongs we see on every hand.

2.TITLE: “A speaker before an assembly; A preacher.”

3.AUTHOR: Ecc 1:1 suggests it to be Solomon; also cf Ecc 1:12,16; 2:9; 12:9; Both internal and external evidence supports this view.

4.DATE: About 935 BC, late in Solomon’s life.

5.Life “UNDER THE SUN” (used twenty-nine times) is life lived for this world alone -- It is life that is empty because it is lived apart from God and His commandments.

6.Earthly goals and ambitions by themselves (without the overall purpose of pleasing God) lead to dissatisfaction and frustration; That is “Vanity” (used thirty-seven times).

7.The BOOK is melancholy in tone, even pessimistic on the surface. It shows the futility (the vanity) of life that is based on earthly ambitions.

a.But do not be hasty in making an evaluation -- Study this BOOK carefully!

b.Keep in mind that this is an inspired record of what the writer had thought (notice the past tense) as he proceeded toward the ultimate conclusion, and that the intervening thoughts and conclusions are not necessarily inspired of God.

8.The BOOK is the Author’s search for an answer as to how best to live in a world where all is vanity.

a.Contrary to the view of surface-readers, it does not give the answer of atheism, or even of skepticism.

b.The final conclusion is that ultimate satisfaction is found only in God, and in looking beyond this world to the next.

c.An analysis is made of power, popularity, prestige, and pleasure (all apart from God), and they are seen to be empty, futile, frustrating -- ALL IS VANITY.

d.When we exclude God by living only for things under the sun, then life can be summed up in three words: FAILURE AND PESSIMISM.

e.God is held forth as Good and Sovereign; He is going to judge all people fairly; The positive conclusion of the BOOK is that one who fears and obeys God will overcome the vanities of life. Its lesson to Christians is in the words of Col 3:2.

1.EXCLAMATION: 1:1-11 -- THE APPARENT VANITY OF LIFE.

A.1:1, The BOOK begins with a one-verse introduction.

B.1:2, Then the theme is stated (ALL IS VANITY).

C.1:3-11, Life UNDER THE SUN appears futile and perplexing; Nature and history follow cycles which seem endless and meaningless.

D.This circular view of history produces pessimism on the part of the natural man who seeks the chief good in life without God.

2.EXPERIENCE: 1:12-2:26 -- SEARCH FOR MEANING IN LIFE.

NOTE: The Author (presumably Solomon) personally experiments with things of earth, but they are passing away; It is vain to trust in them - cf 1Ti 6:17-19.

A.1:12-2:11, He searches for meaning and satisfaction in life by exploring his vast resources.

1.1:12-18, He seeks it by HUMAN WISDOM, but this is vexation of the spirit
(a striving after wind).

a.1:15, Something always eludes him.

b.1:18, And with increased knowledge came increased sorrow.

2.2:1-11, So he turns to conduct his quest in PLEASURE; He moves from wisdom to fun / worldliness / wine / works / women / wealth; And he finds all these fleshly gratifications to be emptiness to his soul.

B.2:12-26, Wisdom is better than foolishness, but even wisdom seems futile when we see the brevity of life and the universality of death.

C.Note that Solomon could gratify every whim, and made it his business to do so; But he could sum it all up in the last sentence of Verse 26 of Chapter One -- LET US LEARN FROM HIM!

3.EXPLORATION: 3:1-6:12 -- SEEMING FUTILITY OF LIFE IN EVERY AREA.

NOTE: He turns his quest now from personal experiment to general observation of the world and of human affairs.

A.3:1-15, Time is short; Events and conditions often change; There is no eternity on earth but we have been made so as to cause us to contemplate one - Verse 11. A QUOTE FROM HALLEY’S HANDBOOK: “‘Eternity’ (RV), 3:11 (a more correct translation than AV ‘world’), may suggest the key thought to the book. The word, in Hebrew, occurs seven times: 1:4,10; 2:16; 3:11,14; 9:6; 12:5, variously translated ‘forever,’ ‘of old,’ ‘long,’ ‘everlasting.’ ‘God has set ETERNITY in the hearts of men.’ In the inmost depths of his nature man has a longing for things Eternal, which nothing earthly can satisfy. But, at that time, God had not re-vealed very much about things Eternal. In various places in the Old Testament there are hints and glimpses of the Future Life; and Solomon seems to have had vague ideas of it. But it was CHRIST who ‘brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel.’ II Tim 1:10.”

B.3:16-22, The certainty of death seems to cancel the difference between righ-teousness and wickedness (the natural view of one who lives life without God).

C.4:1, Discontent is worse when we see all the wickedness and cruelties of men.

D.4:2-3, It seems it would be better not to have been born.

E.4:4-8, The world’s offerings disappoint rather than satisfy.

F.4:9-16, Human beings are often disturbed and perplexed by social conditions around them.

G.5:1-2, Warnings against empty ceremony in worship.

H.5:3-9, Miscellaneous proverbs.

I.5:10-11, Wealth to a worldling is like strong drink to the alcoholic -- It increases desire for more.

J.5:12-17, Those who labor to fill their hands with the world and its goods will not only die an uncomfortable death, but they will miss the only pure satisfaction in life -- The satisfaction of being at peace with God while we live.

K.5:18-20, Ultimate meaning can be found only in God.

L.6:1-12, The vanity of worldly wealth if it pertains only to the body -- This surely is not the good that man longs for.

4.EXHORTATION: 7:1-12:7 -- WISDOM IS THE KEY TO LIVING WELL.

NOTE: He turns his quest now to the realm of PRACTICAL MORALITY and tries to balance things out in a proper course of behavior.

A.7:1-10, Worldly fun and pleasure-seeking are superficial and foolish; It is better to be sober and thoughtful.

B.7:11-12, The value of wisdom in life.

C.7:13-15, One should enjoy prosperity and consider seriously in adversity -- God made both; Both can serve His purpose for our good.

D.7:16-18, Avoid extremes of self-righteousness and immorality.

E.7:19-29, The best way to save self from the vanity of the world is to make use of wisdom, and keep fleshly desires under control.

F.8:1-5, Submission to authority avoids unnecessary hardship.

G.8:6-15, Real justice is often lacking on earth.

H.8:16-17, The human mind cannot grasp all of God’s purposes.

1.The writer is coming to see clearly the need for God in life - 7:13,14,18; 8:12,13,17.

2.But he is still concluding that nothing is worthwhile - 8:15.

3.He begins a review and concludes his quest for meaning; Again showing that true good is not found in worldly wisdom or in pleasure.

I.9:1-6, The universality of death.

J.9:7-12, Everyone should apply self diligently to life’s business.

K.9:13-18, Be governed by Divine Wisdom in all of life’s affairs.

L.10:1-15, Proverbs recommending wisdom -- WISDOM is:

1.10:1-10, Of great use for the right ordering of our lives.

2.10:11-15, Contrasted with the meaningless talk of fools.

3.So, fools show their folly when they open their mouths, for if one is lacking in true wisdom, that fact cannot be concealed.

M.10:16-20, The land is blessed if its rulers are serious and wise.

N.11:1, cf Gal 6:7-10, Our service (whether great or small) will bring an abundant harvest, either in this world or the next.

O.11:2-6, cf 9:11, Regardless of how outward conditions may seem, all affairs are in God’s Hand; Prosperity is not necessarily a sign of God’s love, nor is affliction necessarily a sign of His displeasure.

P.11:7-10, Youth is too brief and precious to be squandered in foolishness or evil.

Q.12:1, An exhortation to the young to be religious.

R.12:2-7, This section closes with an allegory of old age.

5.EXPLANATION: 12:8-14 -- LIFE’S MEANING NOW IS CLEAR, AND
THAT IS THAT REVERENCE FOR GOD IS BASIC TO ALL THAT IS
GOOD AND WORTHWHILE.

A.12:8-12, “What is good to do in a world where all is vanity?”

B.12:13-14, The answer is scattered through the BOOK, and then summed up at the close -- Enjoy life, and stand in awe before God.

C.So, the conclusion of the BOOK is: Apart from God, life is full of weariness and disappointment; In union with God, all is well.

1.Thus the BOOK ends on a positive note, emphasizing that history is linear rather than circular -- There is purpose and meaning; Find it now . . .

a.In wise, temperate, grateful use and enjoyment of the present life - 11:9-10.

b.And in steadfast faith in God and the life to come - 12:1-7.

2.This is great, but there is the better -- The story of the New Testament is not vanity; But joy, peace, gladness, hope; Christians have the answer for this world, and assurance for the next - Eph 2:12-13; Gal 2:20; 1Co 6:19-20; Rom 8:17.

**ECCLESIASTES IN FIVE WORDS:

Exclamation / Experience / Exploration / Exhortation / Explanation.

**ECCLESIASTES IN SIX WORDS:

Vanity / Search / Futility / Wisdom / Fear God.

**CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES TO THE BIBLE:

1.It is not quoted in either the OT or the NT.

2.But it effectively teaches that to seek only after pleasures of the world is vanity.

3.And that true wisdom allows us to enjoy life, as in all things we serve God.

**CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES:

1.CHRIST is the ONLY answer to all of life’s emptiness and perplexity - Jn 10:9-10; 2Ti 1:10.

2.Possibly there is a direct reference to Him in Ecc 12:11 -- Humanity’s highest hope is found in Him..

**DOES ECCLESIASTES PESSIMISTICALLY TEACH THAT LIFE IS VANITY?

NOTE: “No investigation of Scripture, in its various parts and separate texts, however important, must impair the sense of the supreme value of its united witness. There is not a form of evil doctrine or practice that may not claim apparent sanction and support from isolated passages; but nothing erroneous or vicious can ever find countenance from the Word of God when the whole united testimony of Scripture is weighed against it. Partial examination will result in partial views of truth which are necessarily imperfect; only careful comparison will show the complete mind of God.” -- Arthur T. Pierson.

A.Through all of the distortions caused by sin, we can learn that the Hand of God still moves - 3:17; 9:1; 12:14.

B.Out of the apparent vanities of life God is leading to satisfaction - 2:24-26; 3:10-14; 5:19; 8:17; 9:1.

C.Let it be remembered that this is an inspired record of what the writer had thought (notice the past tense) as he proceeded toward the ultimate conclusion, and that not all the intervening thoughts and conclusions are necessarily inspired of God.

D.Also remember that revelation was progressive, and that although this Book affirms a continuance of the individual life beyond the grave, it remained for the New Testament revelation to give a basis for our fuller understanding of the future.

**A QUOTE FROM “ULTRA-LIBERAL” RUBEL SHELLY:

“Does Ecclesiastes teach the doctrine of ‘soul sleep’?

1.Some sects use Eccl. 9:5 to argue that the spirit is not conscious after death.

2.But one must remember the key phrase of the entire book is ‘under the sun.’ Cf Eccl. 1:3,9,14,2:1,17,18,19,20,22; etc.

3.This phrase surrounds and guides the interpretation of Eccl. 9:5. Cf Eccl. 8:15(2),17; 9:3,6,9(2),11,13.

4.This verse teaches that the dead “know nothing” about life back on the earth they have left.

a.Many passages inform us that they are conscious and aware in the spirit world. Cf Luke 16:19-31.

b.But they are cut off from earth and neither help nor haunt the people they left behind.

5.NOTE: The implications of this fact show the absurdity of seeking to communicate with the dead in order to learn the future, get advice, etc.”

BE WISE -- LIVE FOR GOD, NOT FOR THIS WORLD