ECCLESIASTES BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT POETRY: THE FLEETING NATURE OF LIFE
At first glance, Ecclesiastes can appear pessimistic or depressing, but the book offers wisdom and reveals aspects of God’s character. The speaker in Ecclesiastes, referred to as “the Teacher,” has experienced all the best things in life - wealth, power, riches, and influence - but recounts them all as fleeting and meaningless. Serving as a counter perspective to the book of Proverbs (which teaches that living wisely leads to success in life), Ecclesiastes points out the somewhat random nature of life and how bad things often happen to wise and righteous people.
Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is somewhat skeptical, hope and peace can be found in the book’s pages. The speaker asserts that even though the best things in life are temporary, life is still worth living to the fullest. Besides, what else is there to do? While Ecclesiastes may seem dismissive of some aspects of life and success, the book does affirm the importance of fearing God and living in obedience to His commandments.
MAIN IDEAS: DISCOVERING A PURPOSEFUL EXISTENCE
Wealth, status, and pleasure are short-lived sources of meaning. (Ecclesiastes 2:1)
Being surrounded by wise company is better than suffering or toiling alone. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-12, 7:5)
Delighting in God’s good gifts is one of the only true measures of success. (Ecclesiastes 8:12-15)
While wisdom is of some value, obeying God’s commands is more valuable. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: ENDURING FOREVER
Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, the fleeting nature of humanity is contrasted with God’s eternal presence. Ecclesiastes 3:14 states that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to or anything taken from it. Everything that mankind creates eventually erodes or becomes outdated. All man-made things will ultimately perish, but God’s creation will endure. Ecclesiastes highlights how the pursuit of worldly achievements or possessions is ultimately futile compared to the significance of God's will.
Genesis 2:7 recalls God’s creation of man from dust. Ecclesiastes 3:20 reiterates this idea and considers how man, who was once created from dust, will also return to dust after death: “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” Although believers will spend eternity with God, the author of Ecclesiastes ponders how our physical bodies will all end up in the grave despite our earthly accomplishments or accolades.
JESUS IN SONG OF ECCLESIASTES: THE ONLY ETERNAL HOPE
Long before the birth of Jesus, the author of Ecclesiastes reflected upon the concept of living without sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” With the exception of Jesus, this is true! Romans 3:23 emphasizes this idea by stating that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus was the only person who could live a life that fully satisfied God’s purposes.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “God has put eternity into man's heart.” God created humanity in His image and made us to desire something beyond this life. Thankfully, Jesus offers both a fulfilling earthly life and access to eternal life. In John 10:10, Jesus said that He came to bring “life to the full,” and John 3:16 states His promise for eternity to those who believe that He is the Savior. In a world that can feel meaningless, Jesus is the eternal hope!
