Bible 101: Lesson 19

Ecclesiastes

The name of this book comes from the word used to identify the author, and can loosely be translated “the Preacher”. This book is traditionally thought to have been written by Solomon, although his name never appears and there is reason to question his authorship. Whoever wrote it, however, had access to all the trappings of luxury and power, and pursued them all in his quest for happiness.

The theme of the book is stated in the recurring use of the word “vanity”. The Hebrew of 1:2 literally means “breath of breaths” and indicates the complete emptiness of the things the Preacher pursued: knowledge, pleasure, great achievements, sex, riches, power, adventure, alcohol. In the end, we are told, everything temporary and earthly is utterly meaningless.
So what is the answer to this pessimistic view of life? We are not told until the last chapter, Chapter Twelve. The first eleven chapters show us that we are utterly ignorant and arrogant to expect that we can live life on our own terms. Chapter twelve finally reveals the answer:
“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”(12:13-14)

The book of Ecclesiastes is most well known for the verses at the beginning of Chapter 3, which state that “there is a time for every event under heaven” and go on to provide a list of stark opposites: birth and death, killing and healing, planting and uprooting, etc.

Contains no messianic prophecies.