Ecclesiastes

Title

The title of the book comes from the Hebrew word “koheleth” which is found in the opening verse of the book: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” The word “koheleth” means “one who gathers an assembly for the purpose of addressing them” – in short, “the preacher.” Our English title (Ecclesiastes) is a transliteration of the Greek translation of this Hebrew word. The title is a reference to the preacher whose inspired words make up this book.

Holy Writer

The question is: “Who is the preacher that wrote these words?” The first verse tells us that this preacher is “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” We find more information about the holy writer in 1:12-13, “I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven...” and at the end of the book, “And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs” (12:9; see also Ecclesiastes 1:16 and 2:3-9 for more references). These verses can only refer to King Solomon, the son of David who reigned over the kingdom of Israel for 40 years and was given great wisdom, riches and honor by the LORD (1 Kings 3:5-15).

Theme

The words “vain” and “vanity” occur almost forty times in these short twelve chapters of Ecclesiastes. Another phrase that occurs often is “under the sun” (also “under heaven”) which is used over thirty times in the book. These two thoughts come together to form the main theme of the book: “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). In short, the main theme of the book is that everything under the sun is vanity - meaningless!

At first this may seem like a very pessimistic attitude. But this should not leave us feeling like our lives are hopeless or without meaning. A careful study of the book will reveal a second theme which focuses on the role of God in our lives: “Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

When we put these two themes together we see that Solomon has considered life from two very different worldviews: 1) Life without God, which leads to the conclusion that everything is vanity, and 2) Life with God, which leads to a recognition of our many gifts and blessings. If we remember that life is being described from these two different perspectives, it will help us better understand the purpose and meaning of the book.

Purpose

Solomon had lived a great and prosperous life. As we read Ecclesiastes we will notice that Solomon had personally experienced not only the vanity of all earthly pleasures and sinful enjoyments (2:1-11), but also the troubles of advancing years (12:1-7). From this it would seem that Solomon wrote this book in his old age, after he had come to know and truly repent of his past sins (cf. 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 5:18-20; 9:9-10). As He looked back on his life he realized that life lived without God is vanity. All that he had done without the LORD had been useless and vain (see 1 Kings 11:1-8).

For this reason the Holy Spirit directs Solomon to describe the vanity of the worldly life, and to point us to God and His love for us to strengthen our faith and give us courage as we live “under the sun.” Luther summarizes this book saying: “The sum and substance of this book is the word of Christ (Matthew 6:34): ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’”

Form and Content

The book of Ecclesiastes has a very unique style. While it is found in the poetical section of the Old Testament, it is a mixture of poetry (1:1-11; 7:1-13; 10:1-12:7) and prose (2:1-6:12; 7:15-9:16; 12:8-14). It also blends the proverbial (1:18; 2:14; 4:5-6; 7:1-13,19-20; 9:17-11:10) with the contemplative (2:1-26; 3:9-6:12; 8:2-9:16; 12:1-14). Like both Psalms and Proverbs, a wide variety of topics are discussed in the book of Ecclesiastes which are beneficial for instruction in our Christian walk.

In this book the Holy Spirit offers instruction concerning:

►   Trials are better faced with others - “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (4:9-12).

►   The blessing of godly contentment - “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor––this is the gift of God” (5:18-19).

►   Anger - “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools” (7:9).

►   Punishment of evil - “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (8:11).

►   Marriage blessings - “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun” (9:9).

►   Hard work - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (9:10).

►   Laziness - “Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks” (10:18).

►   Speaking evil about others - “Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter” (10:20).

►   Living life wisely - “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity” (11:9-10).

Summary

Great accomplishments and earthly possessions do not bring lasting happiness. “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.... The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (5:10,12). Rather, true happiness comes from our relationship with God as He points out in the last verses of the book, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (12:13-14). Through Solomon the LORD shows that it is possible for man to enjoy the gifts of God in the proper fear of the LORD, without setting his heart on the things of this earth (5:18-20; 9:7-10). May the LORD grant it to each of us!

Note: This study was prepared for use at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew based on the work of other CLC pastors.

If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew