ECCLESIASTES
Author:
The book itself does not give us the name of the author, but most of the indications point to King Solomon. See Eccl 1:1, 12, 16; 2:4-9; 12:9.
Date:
Solomon reigned 970-930 BC. He wrote this book probably toward the end of his life.
Theme:
What is good in this world? Is it possible to make life meaningful? What is the purpose of this life we must live? These are the kinds of questions that stirred Solomon to search for the truth about life. God decided to show that the total of what is known to men is very little. He wanted to make known to them how empty and meaningless life is for those who are at a distance from Himself. He determined to have this truth written down and included in the Bible. He chose the individual who should reveal this truth through his own researches and experiences and write it down. He made that individual wiser than any other man whoever lived, wiser than Socrates or Buddha or Confucius or anyone else whoever gained a reputation for wisdom (except, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ who is more than a mere man and is Himself the “wisdom of God” 1 Cor 1:24, 30; Col 2:2-3, 9). Also God made that individual richer than any other person on earth. He gave him the opportunities and the abilities to experience everything than men can experience. Also God gave him an intellect that wanted to inquire into everything, the kind of mind that could thoroughly examine evidence and weigh it carefully, and a powerful desire to discover the meaning of life. The man God chose is Solomon. One of the results of God’s choice is this little book of Ecclesiastes. We can learn from it that man’s wisdom, thoughts and efforts are not enough to discover the truth about life and its meaning. For that we need the Word of God. In that alone we can find a foundation for a satisfying and meaningful life, and a happy eternity.
Contents:
Solomon announces his theme 1:1-2
He gives illustrations 1:3-11
He more fully introduces himself 1:12-16
He resolves to gain understanding of the meaning of life 1:17—2:16
He tries wisdom and folly 1:17; 2:3
He tries pleasure 2:1-2
He tries wine 2:3
He undertakes great projects 2:4-6
He amasses possessions and riches 2:7-8
He tries music, etc 2:8-9
He tries anything he desires 2:10
His conclusion about all that 2:11
He turns again to wisdom and folly 2:12-14
His conclusion about this 2:15-16
Despair 2:17-23
The best thing this wise man could conclude 2:24-26
A time for everything 3:1-8
Time compared with eternity 3:9-14
Thoughts of God’s judgment 3:15-17
Of animals and men 3:18-22
He thinks non-existence is better than existence 4:1-8
The value of friendship 4:9-12
Success is meaningless 4:13-16
Fear God 5:1-7
The emptiness of riches 5:8—6:12
Some remarks about conditions in life 7:1—11:8
His quest for wisdom 7:23-25
Ignorance of the future 8:7-8
Justice is often not seen on earth 8:14
Man by his wisdom cannot understand
what God is doing 8:17
All men face the same destiny 9:1-12
An example of wisdom 9:13-16
Words on wisdom and folly 9:17—10:15
Words about rulers 10:16-20
Advice to be active, not knowing the future 11:1-6
Advice to the young 11:9—12:7
The conclusion of the whole matter 12:8-14