Ecclesiastes

What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

      We know that from I Chronicles and I Kings that Solomon was extremely rich and he ruled in a time of peace for Israel. This is important in understanding who he was writing to in this book. In 2:18-23 Solomon addresses work and gaining possessions. He tells them that getting things and money is meaningless. He addresses those who were trying to keep up with their neighbors and how meaningless that is. He says its, “like chasing the wind.” (4:4). I believe he was addressing the youth of the time as well. At the end of this book he gives a final call to the youth (11:9-12:7). I believe his main focus was to the next generation, the youth of his time. He writes directly to them a few times and the passage in chapter 11 is written solely to the youth.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

     Verse one ascribes the book to Solomon. It's possible that the last five verses of the book could have been written after by a scribe. We know that Solomon had many possessions. He had huge homes, vinyards, lots of slaves, herds, flocks, gold, singers, and concubines (2:4-11). He had everything a man could want, but in the end he says it's all meaningless.  It didn't bring him any fulfillment . He is the king of Israel and he lived in Jerusalem (1:12). He is someone processing through his life and trying to find out what life is truly all about. He struggles to understand why everything seems so meaningless and comes to his conclusion in 12:13-14, “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.”

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

      There are a lot of contrasting ideas in Ecclesiastes. We see contrasts between poor wise men (9:15) and rich fools, and between possessions and the lack of fulfillment (2:11). The word meaningless is used 25 times throughout the book. Solomon sees the vanity of life on earth and how the only way to live a life of meaning is to obey God. I think the main idea Solomon is trying to get across is that fulfillment doesn't come from earthly things, but from God.

Summary: Life is meaningless so live your life for Someone that can give it meaning.

What is the primary reason this book is written?

      I believe the primary reason this book was written is to give young people a guide to life. Solomon wanted the next generation to understand that living a life to please yourself and build up wealth is not what life is all about. His desire was to see people know and understand things that took him a lifetime to realize. He challenges them to be wise and to stay away from foolish ideas. He gives his own perception of the things they would try to obtain saying that they are meaningless. His last challenge to them says it all, “Fear God” (12:13).

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      Solomon realizes that pleasure from eating and drinking come from God. He asks, “who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” (2:24-25). God is the one who gives wisdom, knowledge and joy (2:26). God is the one in charge of time and events, and he is sovereign over all (3:15). I love 11:5 where Solomon explains God as someone who cannot be understood, whose activities are beyond us, and who, “does all things.” In 12:14 God is the judge of all things that we do here on earth. All of our secret things whether they are good or bad. Though He is the judge God, “created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path” (7:29). God is described as the creator. He created people with the ability to do what is right. He created people virtuous, but we as humans chose to sin.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      We know that Solomon lived a majority of his life as a righteous man, but he eventually fell into sin because his many wives led him astray. The funny thing is is that Solomon is writing all of these words of wisdom. He is challenging the youth and guiding people towards godly living. How could he do this without the redeeming love of God. How could God use a sinner like him to lead the people to godly living without forgiving him of his sin? This book speaks to God's love and redeeming power as He uses Solomon to write these words.

     One other thing we see is in 12:14. God talks about being the judge of both good and evil. This is part of His redemptive plan for mankind. That one day we will be judged for all that we do. We know more of the judgments for those who believe and those who don't, but this passage is simply giving the people of the day more of a picture of what is to come.

Personal Application

Solomon hits on something in 21:1. He says, “dont let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, 'Life is not pleasant anymore.” I see this as something directly going against what I normally try to do. I try to live life and get as much out of it as I can. Solomon says not to seek your own pleasure, but to use your youth to live for God. It just hit me that these are the greatest years of my life. I get the opportunity to give them to God instead of living for myself. Life doesn't get easier and my health wont get any better, and so I have a small time when I am young. It's just motivation for me to really look at my life, to stop and think about what I am doing, and to be sure to align all that I am working for to God's plan for me. It's so easy to live for adventure and to go to the next exciting place, but how much better will it be fore me if I simply live for God. Chances are He will lead me to adventurous things and exciting places, but my youth is an amazing offering that I can give to God only once.

Point of Passion

To those working to make your name great, or looking at those with riches with jealousy Solomon has something to say to you. Solomon had more money and possessions than anyone ever. He had more women, clothes, and lavish things than anyone could ever ask for. He had it all, yet he says it was nothing to him. It meant nothing. We can look at his life and his wisdom so we don't waste our lives on foolish things. Ecc 6:2 says, “God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn't give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless-a sickening tragedy.” Why do we seek after these things that we will only briefly be able to enjoy or not to be able to enjoy at all? What's the point? Think about it, what will it benefit you to live you whole life searching for something that wont bring you fulfillment. For those of you with nothing only desiring to have more Solomon has this to say in Ecc 6:9, “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless- like chasing the wind.” Why spend you life in misery and jealously longing for something you don't have. You can find joy in what you do have and in what God has already blessed you with. Sure money can get you things, “but only wisdom can save your life” (7:12). Wisdom is seeking after God, not after the riches of this earth. They will pass away. You can be a fool and chase the wind all day, but God says that there's more to this life. Fear Him, and obey His commands and your life will find meaning. Turn from your selfish desires and make Jesus Lord of our life. That is where true treasure lies and where you will be fulfilled for eternity.