About the Book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is one of the five poetic or wisdom books. The others are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, also known as Song of Solomon. Solomon wrote three of those poetic books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Even though the above is the order of Solomon's books as they appear in the Bible. However, that is not the order in which he wrote them. Actually, he wrote them during three different stages of his life:
• Song of Solomon was written in Solomon's youthful years.
• Proverbs was written during his middle years.
• Ecclesiastes was written in his later years.
The Author
The word "Ecclesiastes" tells us about the author of the book. This word means "someone who gathers a group of people together to speak to them." The speaker is referred to as The Preacher in the King James Version, and Teacher in the New International Version, and Philosopher in other versions. The Teacher is used in this study.
So, the author of this book was an official who had responsibility for other people. He was leading his people as they searched for the truth about God. There are various English translations of this word, such as Preacher, Teacher, and Philosopher (wise person who thinks a lot about everything).
The words at the end of this book show that the author was a wise man. He was a teacher and he was a skillful writer (Ecclesiastes 12:9-12). He collected special phrases that people say. These are called "proverbs." Solomon wrote the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs also known as Song of Solomon. King Solomon was famous because of his wisdom.
The author of Ecclesiastes calls himself the "king in the city called Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1). He also says that he ruled over Israel (Ecclesiastes 1:12). He was famous because he spoke wise words (Ecclesiastes 12:9).
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes toward the end of his life. When he became king of Israel, he asked God for wisdom. In return, God gave him wisdom, wealth, and influence. Yes, Solomon concluded that life was meaningless. The book is a partial autobiography of Solomon's experiences to spare readers the bitterness of learning through his personal experience.
The Message That Ecclesiastes Teaches
The author of Ecclesiastes writes about our lives that are "in this world." He connects this phrase with a word that means "a breath" or "wind." And it also means "a mystery" or "something that is difficult to understand."
The author writes about many things that are not fair in this world. For example:
• People are cruel to other people, but they suffer no punishment.
• People work hard, but they do not benefit from their efforts.
• Good people suffer, but bad people receive rewards.
• Both good people and bad people die in the same manner.
• People work hard, but they do not benefit from their efforts.
• Wise people and foolish people all die.
It is clear that there is a sense of despair in this book. The author has had sad experiences. So he often expresses his sad thoughts. He believes that our lives have no permanent value. It is impossible for people to know the answers to all their questions. Some writers who study Ecclesiastes emphasize this attitude. They believe that the author was a man without any hope. He did not believe that God ruled.
The Book of Ecclesiastes seems to contain two different opinions. Sometimes those opinions seem to be the opposite of each other. The writer of Ecclesiastes discusses many unfair things. But he also shows that God is generous. God wants people to enjoy their life and their work (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26). God shows people how they must act in order to please him (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). And God has taught people that wisdom is a wonderful thing (Ecclesiastes 10:13-17).
The writer urges people to live wisely. People can live wisely only if they have a relationship with God. That is why the author urges people to remember God’s gifts. Young people in particular should remember that God made them (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
Key Verse
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all manhind." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Key Verses
The word "vanity" is recorded 37 times.
The phrase "under the sun" is recorded 29 times.
Places We Look for Satisfaction Apart from God
1. Verses for Science, 1:1-3
2. Verses for Philosophy, 1:12-18
3. Verse for Entertainment, 2:1
4. Verse for Drinking, 2:3
5. Verses for Possessions, 2:5-7
6. Verse for Sex, 2:8
7. Verses for Wealth, 2:8; 5:9; Chapter 6
8. Verse for Reputation, 2:9
9. Verses for Materialism, 2:12-26
10. Verses for Fatalism, 3:1-15
11. Verses for Deism, Chapters 3 and 4
12. Verses for Morality, Chapter 7; 12:12
REMEMBER THESE THINGS
1. Life is meaningless apart from God.
2. Everything good comes from God through Jesus.
3. The full, abundant life we all want is a gift from God. It's not something we earn.
4. Ecclesiastes records man's efforts to discover the meaning of life.
5. Only a relationship with God makes life worth living. When we know and love God, we find the wisdom and joy we seek.
6. God's Word provides greater wisdom than the world offers.
7. We live wisely when we know and honor God.
|
|
