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Introduction to Ecclesiastes

A.   Key to Understanding

1.                  Written by King Solomon about 950 BC

a)                  Proverbs -- a study in wisdom

b)                  Ecclesiastes -- a study in foolishness

c)                  Song of Solomon -- a study in Love

2.                  'Ecclesiastes' means preacher/debater, one who presents an argument or study

3.                  Key word: 'vanity', which means futility, uselessness, meaningless

4.                  Key phrase: 'under the sun', which refers to man's perspective apart from God

5.                  Key viewpoint: 'I said in my heart', which underscores the concept that this is not God speaking -- it's Solomon

6.                  The inerrancy of Scripture is not challenged by the teaching of Ecclesiastes.  God allows Solomon's dialogue to be recorded that we might learn a greater truth.  So-called contradictions found here are often misused and misrepresented as Bible truth, when in fact the context tells a different story.  "It's so, but it ain't right" is a way of thinking through the problem.

B.   Organization and Theme

King Solomon's reign was remarkable.  He ruled under an era of peace and prosperity.  His wisdom was unequaled, as were his riches.  At some point he realized he had too much time on his hands and decided to conduct a search for the meaning of life.  This book records that search and describes what he finds.

1.                  He begins by stating the basic problem: "All is vanity" (1:2-3) and immediately begins investigating possible answers.  He explores the following:

a)                  Science  (1:4-11)

b)                  Philosophy (1:12-18)

c)                  Hedonism, Pleasure (2:1-11)

d)                  Living for the Moment (2:12-26)

e)                  Stoicism, Fatalism (3:1-15)

f)                   Existentialism, Egoism (3:16 - 4:16)

g)                  Religion (5:1-8)

h)                  Wealth and Enterprise (5:9 - 6:12)

i)                    Morality and Political Common Sense (7:1 - 12:12)

2.                  His conclusion (12:13-14)

C.   The Vanities He Observes and Hopes to Answer

·        pleasure - 2:1

·        industry (labor) - 2:11,22-23; 4:4

·        human wisdom - 2:15

·        all life - 2:17

·        leaving an inheritance - 2:18-21

·        earthly existence - 3:19-21

·        acquiring riches over family - 4:7-8

·        political popularity - 4:16

·        many dreams and many words - 5:7

·        loving abundance - 5:10

·        wealth without the gift of God to enjoy it - 6:2

·        wandering desire - 6:9

·        foolish laughter - 7:6

·        injustice in this life - 8:14

·        the days of darkness - 11:8

·        childhood and youth - 11:10

 

The Preacher's Search for Answers

Background from the OT: Ecclesiastes 1:4 - 2:26

A.   Is Science the Answer? (1:4-11)

1.                  the earth and the cosmos relative to man's existence

2.                  the rising and setting of the sun

3.                  climatology and studies of the weather

4.                  the evaporation cycle

5.                  the quest for the "original idea"

6.                  Result: who cares and who will remember it all?

B.   Is Philosophy the Answer? (1:12-18)

1.                  the emptiness of wisdom

2.                  madness & folly

3.                  Result: increasing wisdom only increases sorrow, so what's the point?

C.   Is Hedonism and Pleasure the Answer? (2:1-11)

1.                  laughter and mirth

2.                  intoxication

3.                  better homes and gardens

4.                  servants to do his bidding

5.                  silver & gold

6.                  beautiful music

7.                  "I want, therefore I will have"

8.                  Result: pointless, no profit

D.   Is Living for the Moment the Answer? (2:12-26)

1.                  "no matter who we are, we still die"

2.                  hatred for life

3.                  "eat, drink and be merry"

4.                  Result: we may as well get what we can out of this life

 

The Preacher's Search for Answers

Background from the OT: Ecclesiastes 3:1  - 12:2

A.   Is Fatalism the Answer?(3:1-15)

1.                  more Stoicism …

2.                  he examines the idea of "what will happen will happen" as if it's all predestined

3.                  life/death, planting/harvesting, joy/sorrow, love/hate, peace/war

4.                  Result: his conclusion is twofold:

a)                  you may as well enjoy it while you have it

b)                  The hand of God is present and fixed in all this

B.    Is Egoism the Answer?(3:16 - 4:16)

1.                  we'll all be judged by God

2.                  we're all essentially returning to dust

3.                  the best we can do is enjoy the moment

4.                  the dead are better off than the living

5.                  we need to partner up with each other for our own benefit

6.                  Result: People come and people go, what's the point?

C.  Is Religion the Answer?(5:1-8)

1.                  good advice for "churchgoers":

a)                  don't overdo the sacrifices

b)                  don't speak too quickly about what you'll do for God

c)                  don't promise too much

2.                  notice all his advice is man-centered

3.                  Result: Don't get too worked up over Godly living, He's in control after all

D.   Is Wealth the Answer?(5:9 - 6:12)

1.                  Silver doesn't satisfy

2.                  Abundance slips away

3.                  You can't take it with you

4.                  Result: Our appetite for abundance is never satisfied, so wealth leads nowhere

 

The Preacher's Search for Answers

Background from the OT: Ecclesiastes 7:1 - 12:14

A.      Is Morality and Political Common Sense the Answer?

1.                  How to be a Do-Gooder

a)                  Having a good reputation  (7:1)

b)                  Dignity and respectability (7:2)

c)                  Avoiding sorrow (7:3-4)

d)                  Advice is where you find it (7:5-6)

e)                  Don't get angry (7:9)

f)                   Wisdom and money (7:11-12)

g)                  Don't worry about what people say about you (7:21)

2.                  How to be Morally Respectable

a)                  Don't go getting into trouble (8:1-3)

b)                  Conform! (8:4-8)

c)                  Go Along to Get Along (8:9-14)

d)                  Enjoy the shallow Life (8:15)

3.                  Where's the value of Eternity?

a)                  We can't do anything about it (9:2)

b)                  Life is just a big lottery (9:3-6)

c)                  May as well keep up a good front (9:7-10)

4.                  Questions and Observations about Social Injustice

a)                  Life is all a matter of chance (9:13)

b)                  Does Solomon 'accidentally' Foreshadow Christ? (9:14:18)  (who could that 'poor wise man' be?)

5.                  On Foolish Living

a)                  One bad apple DOES spoil the whole bunch (10:1)

b)                  You can't hide foolishness (10:2-3)

c)                  Sin takes the place of dignity (10:4-7)

d)                  You reap what you sow (10:8-14)

6.                  More tidbits of worldly common sense

a)                  It's okay to do good (11:1)

b)                  Spread the wealth around (11:2)

c)                  Understand the consequences of your actions (11:3-4)

d)                  Don't worry about what you don't understand (11:5)

e)                  Enjoy your life while you're young (11:6 - 12:7)

B.     Conclusion: The Answer to all His Questions

1.                  All is vanity (12:8)

2.                  Seek wisdom (12:9-12)

3.                  Knowledge isn't the same as wisdom (12:13)

4.                  Fear God, keep His commandments (12:14)

5.                  God will judge all things (12:15)

 

Copyright 2004 Leon V. Smith. All rights reserved.