Bible Survey

15. Ecclesiastes

"Understanding Life"

     The Hebrew name for the book is "Koheleth," which means "to assemble as a congregation," possibly for the purpose of hearing a message.  Solomon is traditionally viewed as its author, although Jewish tradition holds that he wrote it late in life (Midrash Shir ha-shirim, i. I, & 10).  The Lord gave Solomon wisdom (1Kings 3:9-12,28).

The Message

     Ecclesiastes falls into two equal parts.  The first six chapters establish the premise that all earthly things are futile and that the only way man can have personal satisfaction is to live within God's providential blessings.  The last six chapters assume this premise and proceed to demonstrate that man can still reap earthly benefits regardless of environmental circumstances.

     "The Preacher" takes an accurate picture of life.  He notices and records the selfishness, hypocrisy, greed, oppression, tyranny, ambition, and the social inequities of life.  These things we share with him.  He recognizes God's involvement with the world, the providential influence.  However, the picture of God's dealings with men is somewhat unfocused.  He declares that a definitive understanding of God's ways is not within man's grasp (8:17).  There is a basic question asked: Is there any profit in all of man's work that he does upon this earth?  Hard work is an ancient reality (Genesis 3:17-19).  Labor and reward is an old cycle, but does it really work?  When the book is over, the reader has discovered that there are no "new paths" to be traveled.  Someone has already tried everything.  Every new generation appears to discover something new (the "new" morality is really just the old immorality!), but they are merely inventing new names to define and describe ancient pursuits.

     Several lessons stand out in the book of Ecclesiastes.  First of all, since everything of this world is cursed to a transitory nature, one cannot find enduring satisfaction in either the collection of the earth's goods or the pleasure derived from them.  However, there is nothing wrong with enjoying our work and meals as God’s gifts (3:24-25; 5:18-20).  Second, there are inequities in life and the godly ones should not be discouraged when they are caught by them.  Finally, once man understands the transitory nature of earthly life and its inequities, he is ready for the conclusion of the book, which is really a three-fold admonition:

     1) to work in harmony with God through the words of one shepherd (12:11)

     2) to fear God and keep His commandments (12:13)

     3) to realize that God will bring every work into judgment (12:11)[1]

The “Vanities” of Ecclesiastes

     "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity". (1:2; 2:26; 12:8).  Literally, he is saying that everything of this world is empty and without ultimate weight or substance.  This is not a cry of frustration, but an emphatic statement of fact.  God placed this world under a curse (Genesis 3:17-19; 5:29; Romans 8:20-23) and this futility will continue until the Lord lifts the curse (2Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5; 22:3-5).  The "vanities" of Ecclesiastes are:

     (1) man's advantage in hard work - 1:3; 2:11,22; 3:9; 5:16

     (2) the desire to learn all things - 1:13-18; 2:21,23; 3:10

     (3) excessive wisdom - 1:18; 2:15; 7:16

     (4) pursuit of pleasure - 2:1; 7:4; 8:15; 10:16

     (5) mad mirth - 2:2; 7:2-5

     (6) increase of earthly possessions - 2:4-9; 5:11; 6:2

     (7) personal accomplishments - 2:11,17,18,20

     (8) living only for tomorrow - 3:22; 6:12; 8:7; 10:14

     (9) envy, rivalry - 4:4

     (10) laziness - 4:5,6; 10:18

     (11) greed - 1:8; 4:8; 5:10,13

     (12) hypocritical worship - 5:1-6

     (13) discontentment - 7:10; 11:10

     (14) self righteousness - 7:16-18

     (15) sexual immorality - 7:26

     (16) lawlessness - 8:3,4

     (17) self deceit - 8:11; 9:3

     (18) apparent success of the wicked - 8:12,13

     (19) influence of evil - 9:18; 10:1

     (20) unpunished crime - 8:11

     (21) youth spent without God - 12:1

Outline

I. Prologue (1:1-11)

       1:9-11/ there is nothing new under the sun, but simply no remembrance of former things.  Studying history reveals that most of what we think we have invented (technologies, social engineering programs, philosophies, attitudes, perversions/sins, political systems, etc.) has already been done/tried in the past, then lost/forgotten.

II. The Vanity and Pointlessness of All Things (1:12 - 6:12)

     1:12 - 2:23/ An attempt was made to seek satisfaction in wisdom, pleasure, buildings and landscaping, possessions, and sex.  When none of these delivered, he hated life and everything he had done hoping it would bring happiness.  It should come as no surprise that worldly people try these things, eventually find them empty, and then wind up depressed!

     2:24-25/ Conclusion: there is nothing better than to enjoy life (food, drink, work) in the understanding that these are from God (cf. 3:22; 5:18-20).  Ecclesiastes argues for short-term joy in honest work, friends, and food, while long-term satisfaction comes with knowing and obeying God.

     3:1-8/ There is a proper/appropriate time for everything.  The problem is not inherently death, destruction, weeping, mourning, throwing rocks, refuse embraces, throw things away, tear apart, hate, or even war, but “when” we do these things or they occur - “timing is everything.”

     3:12-13/ be joyful, do good, do honest labor and enjoy your meals

     3:22/ Conclusion: be happy in your activities

     4:1/ the evil of oppression

     4:9-12/ the benefits of companionship - two can avoid loneliness and accomplish a lot more than one

     5:7/ there are a lot of empty dreams and words out there - it is better to fear God!

     5:18-20/ Conclusion: enjoy your food, drink, and work, but see them as God's gifts and He will keep your heart occupied so that you don't agonize about getting older.

     6:1-16/ Life without satisfaction is not good

III. Maxims on Prudent Behavior (7:1 - 12:7)

     7:2/ It is better to go to a funeral than to a party, because it reminds each of us that life is temporary and there is where we are most likely to reflect seriously on how we are living

     7:10/ Nostalgia (idolizing an edited imaginary misrepresentation of the past) is foolish.  The “present” is usually not that bad and the “past” wasn’t that good!

     7:15/ Life is not “fair” (cf. 8:14)

     8:11/ When the sentence for a crime is not carried out quickly, men are encouraged to do evil

     8:14/ There are a lot of inequities in life, don't be surprised if outward circumstances don't seem to reflect one's spiritual condition (see: Job 21:7; Psalm 73; Jeremiah 12:1; Matthew 5:45; Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3)

     9:2-3/ There is one fate for all, regardless of worldly circumstances

     9:7-9/ Enjoy the simple things of life: food & drink, your wife

     9:10/ While alive, do what you do to the best of your ability

     9:11/ the inequities of life: the fastest do not always win the race, the best warriors don’t always win the battle, the wise don’t always win the bread, the discerning don’t always get the wealth, and the capable don’t always get the reward/credit.

     9:16-18/ Wisdom is better than strength or weapons, but rarely appreciated.  The wise should be heard.  On the other hand, one sinner can do a lot of damage.

     10:2/ men go in the direction their minds/ hearts direct them (how each person “sets the heart” is important - 1Chronicles 22:19; 2Chronicles 11:16; 12:14; 19:3; Ezra 7:10; Romans 8:5-6)

     10:14/ Fools do a lot of talking.

     11:5/ We don’t know where the wind comes from (John 3:8)

     11:9/ Conclusion: enjoy your youth, but do so in the knowledge that God will someday hold you accountable for “how” you enjoyed it (12:1)

     11:10/ try to avoid confusion and pain, for life is fleeting

IV. Epilogue (12:8-14)

     12:1/ Keep God in your thinking when you are young, while life is primarily “fun.”

     12:2-8/ Old age and its limitations will catch up with you soon enough, as the body and its parts wear out

     12:12/ Too many books and study can be wearying - there is no end to the production of human literature.  We have bookstores with lots of opinions in print, but many are ignorant and foolish.  Wisdom is not so much gained from lots of books as much from lots of contact with God’s book!

     12:13,14/ The conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this applies to everyone and our deeds will follow us to judgment

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Charles E. McCoy

October 18, 2006