Parallel ECC Intro

The Book of Ecclesiastes

Purpose

To reflect on the meaning and enjoyment of life

Author

Solomon

Date

Around 971–931 BC

Setting

The overwhelmingly prosperous—but apparently unsatisfying—reign of King Solomon

Ecclesiastes challenges us to think deeply about basic questions. Life and all it contains appears to be a meaningless vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. Even so, life need not be without purpose. Ecclesiastes recommends wisdom, righteous living, finding purpose in remembering our Creator, and keeping God’s commands. Then we can experience joy in the life God has given us.

Setting

When Israel was in its golden years of peace after David had established his empire, Solomon devoted time and energy to enhancing culture. He developed international commerce, diplomacy, and agriculture, and he built cities, fortresses, and the Temple. He advanced his nation culturally with material prosperity and profound literature. Rather than war against other nations, Solomon engaged them and their literature and incorporated their modes of cultural expression into Israel’s relationship with the Lord. Solomon’s failures are well known, but he accomplished much good with his wisdom, and he left his instructions on managing life wisely.

Summary

The book of Ecclesiastes is a discourse or set of discourses exploring the value of life and all it contains and what people should do. The collection is bound by the editor’s very brief prologue (1:1) and his epilogue and conclusion (12:9-14). Within this framework are the words of “the Teacher” (Hebrew Qoheleth, which is how most commentators refer to him).

The Teacher explores a wide range of topics, such as time, work, wisdom, pleasure, and injustice. He repeatedly returns to one major theme: Life and all it contains is hebel (“vapor,” often translated “meaningless”). He discusses how humans should deal with life circumstances in a world that is under God’s sovereign rule. This discussion is summed up by the editor at the close of the book: “Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (12:13-14).

Author and Recipients

The main speaker is identified as a king, as “the Teacher,” and as David’s son (see 1:1, 12, 16; 2:7, 9); these labels strongly point to Solomon. His speech is framed within the opening and closing comments of an editor (1:1; 12:9-14), who reveres the wise Teacher and adds a bit of his own helpful advice.

The term translated “the Teacher” (Hebrew Qoheleth) is literally “[the one who] gathers an assembly or congregation.” This idea is expressed in the Greek title of the book, Ecclesiastes (from Greek ekklēsia, “assembly, congregation”). On at least one occasion, Solomon addressed an assembly of leaders and representatives of Israel’s tribes (see 2 Chr 5:2–7:7). We are also told that many kings and ambassadors came to hear Solomon speak because of his wisdom (1 Kgs 4:34; 10:23-24). Perhaps the content of Ecclesiastes was delivered publicly on one or more such occasions.

Ecclesiastes as Wisdom Literature

Ecclesiastes is one of the wisdom books, along with Job and Proverbs. Wisdom literature emphasizes pleasing God beyond the requirements of the law. These books identify ways for God’s people to be successful as individuals and to enhance the general success of society. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes speaks of wisdom as a general understanding of how God and the world work, learned through lifelong investigation. His conclusions are the subject of his lecture.

Meaning and Message

In this discourse, the Teacher addresses the most significant question of life: Is anything ultimately meaningful? If we are a momentary shadow or a fleeting breath, how can our lives have meaning?

The Teacher contextualizes this philosophical question within the real world of government and everyday life through which administrators and ordinary citizens must navigate. His message is unified, and the editor summarizes its implications (12:13-14): Life and all it contains is fleeting and apparently fraught with futility. Everything in this world is temporary, and life’s frustrations could lead to the conclusion that it is meaningless. What we do doesn’t last, and we can’t find meaning in the world itself. We will soon die and be forgotten, so we should remember how short our lives are and enjoy them while we can. But these realities of a fallen world need not engender despair because we also live in a world that is ruled by God, and it has meaning and purpose in reference to him. We should focus on keeping his commands and living to please him because we will soon stand before him for judgment.

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes is in coping with and even thriving in this life despite its brevity and apparent futility. Although we cannot comprehend all of God’s actions or the purpose of our lives, Ecclesiastes assures us that our sovereign God has a strong hand in all that happens, both positive and tragic. Those who trust God will take the apparent futility of life as an incentive to diligently and wisely achieve what they can while they are alive and to enjoy God’s good gifts in the process.