This will be our inspection of the Book of Ecclesiastes. For most biblical scholars, they are satisfied that the author of it is none other than King Solomon, although his name is never mentioned in the book. Some of their evidence is drawn from the opening chapter and verse of the book:
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Eccl. 1:1 AMP
Rather definitive in the descriptive, yes? Note that other Bible translations refer to him as ‘Teacher.’ In the Hebrew, he is called Qoheleth, or quester.
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].” Eccl. 1:2 AMP
This is the overriding theme of Ecclesiastes, i.e., that nothing in this world has meaning without God being a part of it.
We are meeting Solomon near the end of his life, after his kingship was ruined due to his turning to pagan wives and following their gods.[1] He is trying to find meaning in life through ungodly pleasures.
This is not a journey through the wisdom of God, but from the fallacious search of the wisdom of humans. (Note: this would place the date this book as written in the 10th century B.C., but a handful of scholars think it is older, from the post-exilic period, because it is written in a more modern form of Hebrew).
What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. Eccl. 1:3, 4. NLT
Solomon is saying that neither a single person, nor generations of them make any difference in this eternal world. There is no lasting change.
Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Eccl. 1:8, 9. NLT
Obviously, this still describes much of the present human condition.
I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my mind to seek and explore by [man’s] wisdom all [human activity] that has been done under heaven. Eccl. 1:12, 13. AMP
(Another good illustrative of Solomon, yes?) The Preacher is saying that he focused upon wisdom for the answers. How did that work out?
I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom and experience, more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.” And I set my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I realized that this too is a futile grasping and chasing after the wind. For in much [human] wisdom there is much displeasure and exasperation; increasing knowledge increases sorrow. Eccl. 1:16 – 18. AMP
Human wisdom was not the answer.
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure and gratification; so enjoy yourself and have a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness). I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” Eccl 2:1, 2. AMP
He talks about planting vineyards, building mansions, gathering male and female slaves, owning big herds of animals, amassing wealth and concubines.[2] And?
Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun. Eccl. 2:11 AMP
Pleasure and wealth were not the answer.
Solomon pauses in his futility tirade, to tell us not to forget the simple, uncomplicated rewards in life:
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy… Eccl. 2:24, 25. AMP
Still in this mode, he declares that everything has a perfect timing in which it may be accomplished:
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—
A time to be born and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to keep silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace. Eccl. 3:1 – 8. AMP
Solomon, still in his ebullient transition, discusses how God is intimate with the human heart:
He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. Eccl. 3:11 AMP
God knows that union with Him is the ultimate lovingkindness that He can deliver and it draws them to Him. We want to know Jehovah and what He’s got planned. However, we are finite, and He is omniscient. We cannot grasp his infinite plans.
God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God]. Eccl. 3:14 AMP
Solomon also cautions us in proper prayer while in the house of Jehovah, especially with our petitions:
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Eccl. 5:1, 2. NLT
And he reminds us that God is in the driving seat of our fate:
Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. Eccl. 6:10 NLT
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. Eccl. 7:14 NLT
In the end of it all, what does Solomon conclude?
When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil. Eccl. 12:13, 14. AMP
Amen!
[A word about King Solomon’s last book, Song of Solomon. I will not be addressing this book. It is a song about exalting marital love, but whose, has been debated among scholars. Some see it as a depiction of Messianic love for the church, of a young Solomon’s account of his wedding night (with which wife?), or just an ideal picture of marriage in general.
My primary drive in my teaching is to expound upon God’s direct revelations regarding your path to salvation. So, I humbly defer to the great pastor John Piper, now retired, but you can still find many of his sermons at www.DesiringGod.org Please avail yourself to his audio Is Song of Solomon an Allegory?, or order his book Sex and the Supremacy of Christ.]
Next, get ready of a journey through the books of the prophets!
Goodnight and God bless.
[1] 1Kg. 11:9 – 13.
[2] Eccl. 2:4-8.