Ecclesiastes

(i) Title

– the name Ecclesiastes comes from Greek (LXX – ekklesiastes) perhaps meaning ‘calling an assembly with a view to speaking’; the Hebrew title was qoheleth meaning something like ‘an official speaker in an assembly or congregation’; the Hebrew term is used throughout the book, first of the author, and then of his words (1:1-2; 7:27; 12:8).

Who is the Qoheleth – Preacher? Despite prevailing modern opinion (rejecting Solomonic authorship – he is not even mentioned in the work!) the traditional view is still best – that Solomon was the author; reasons to support –

The preacher is a son of David and king in Jerusalem (1:1-2).

The same person is a collector of proverbs (12:9; cp. 1 Kings 4:32).

The author’s great wisdom accords with Solomon’s ability (1:16; 2:9; cp. 1 Kings 4:30f).

The description of the splendour of Jerusalem during the author’s reign is hardly a coincidence (2:4-9; cp. 1 Chronicles 29:25)

Several subtle references to characteristics of the author’s life bear remarkable resemblance to Solomon (4:13; 7:26,28; 10:6,16)

If we accept Solomon’s authorship of Proverbs it’s difficult to reject it in Ecclesiastes when both have close parallels in their style as pieces of wisdom literature; date of book (if Solomon authored it) about 10th century B.C.

(ii) Purpose

– If Solomon’s the preacher, what’s the sermon? Ecclesiastes has been called one of the most perplexing books in the Bible; most Christians avoid it and those who have read it have found it extremely difficult to understand; some have said it is uninspired, devilishly sceptical, and that it contains the confessions of a convinced cynic.

– has it any value for us? Is it possible to read it and accept it as God’s Word? Can we learn from it? Surely it contradicts other Scriptures (3:18-20; 9: 5-6,10). Surely it doesn’t deserve a place in the canon when it is so devastatingly pessimistic (4:1-8)!

Ecclesiastes is a profitable book (2nd Timothy 3:16); a number of things assist a proper interpretation; any door opens with the right key:

Ch 1:12-14; 2:1; etc. the book is a personal investigation, a quest to discover what is life’s chief good (see outline);

30 times Solomon uses the phrase “under the sun” (1:3,9,14; 2:11,17,18,19,20,22; 3:16; 4:1,3,7,15; 5:13,18; 6:1,5,12; 8:9,15,15,17; 9:3,6,9,9,11,13; 10:5); the search for real meaning to life is one that takes place on the horizontal level with very little reference to God;

Solomon’s search for the reality of life “under the sun” leads to the same result every time – “vanity” – this is a key word (more than 30 times) used here more than anywhere else in the Bible; his sermon begins (1:2) and ends with it (12:8) and repeats it over and over throughout – it means vain, empty, futile, not worth the effort, lacking in substance;

If we bear in mind Solomon the prodigal king is looking back in later life at all his tried and tested efforts to find true satisfaction in life, we will appreciate why he learns that work, wealth, wisdom, pleasure, and much much more life offers APART FROM GOD, is futile/vain!

– But Solomon’s search does not leave him or us wallowing in the mire of depression; throughout the book there are moments when the writer touches on what really matters in life; he gets above the sun, as it were, and we see God (2:24-26; 3:10-15,17; 5:18-20; 8:2,12,13,17:9:1); the book is a lesson in the huge waste of time seeking the meaning of life without reference to God; this point above all else is driven home in 11:9-12:14 where we are urged, young and old alike, to fear God and keep His commands for He will judge us all.

(iii) Outline

Ch 1:1-11 introduction

Ch 1:12-2:26 the quest by personal experience (1:12-18 wisdom in vain; 2:1-11 pleasure in vain; 2:12-23 both compared are a waste; 2:24-26 first hint of hope and direction Ch’s 3-5 quest by general observation (Ch 3 all life is ordered beforehand; Ch 4 frustrating ills and confusing enigmas of life; Ch 5:1-17 rich advice in the light of the above; Ch 5:18-20 second hint of hope and direction)

Ch’s 6-8 quest by practical morality (Ch 6 many, many children & materials don’t satisfy; Ch 7:1-8:9 more rich advice in this light; Ch 8:10-14 more confusing enigmas; Ch 8:15-17 third hint of hope and direction) Ch’s 9-12 quest reviewed and concluded (Ch 9:1-6 life’s mysteries continue; Ch 9:7-11:8 mirth, wisdom, and morals all seem vain; Ch 11:9-12:14 only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Jesus will last!)