The book of Ecclesiastes in the bible is known as one of the “wisdom books, ” including Proverbs, Job, Psalms, and Song of Songs.
Each of these Old Testament books has a different perspective on how to live life and they all add to a diverse view of what makes up a good life, how we find meaning, and how we should respond to events in our lives.
In particular, the book of Ecclesiastes is a book that was written by Solomon and mainly discusses meaning and meaninglessness in our lives.
The Meaning of Life & Purpose of Ecclesiastes
The central theme discussed in Ecclesiastes is the concept of meaning in our lives.
Solomon attained everything he desired including wealth, power, pleasures, fame, wisdom, knowledge, and more.
You can think of him as a modern-day billionaire who also has ruling authority in the nation they live in.
He was able to (and did) do or buy anything he wanted.
After attaining and trying everything, Solomon speaks about how “everything under the sun” is meaningless.
He talks about how we won’t find meaning in life through knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity.
He already tried that, and it left him empty.
What he says is that true satisfaction comes from God and knowing that what we are doing is a part of his purpose for our lives.
He’s not saying that the things he attained (money, power, fame, knowledge, success) are in themselves meaningless, but that if they are not a part of God’s purpose for our lives this makes them meaningless.
The key point is that a life lived in relationship with God gives us meaning and purpose while a life lived without a connection to God will cause us to be in a cycle of constantly seeking new things that will ultimately leave us empty.
Ecclesiastes is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draw us closer to God.
Solomon’s Personal Experience 1:1-2:26
The first part of the book discusses Solomon’s personal experiences.
It starts in somewhat of a depressing tone where he is saying that everything is meaningless under the sun.
He talks about how work never ends, how the sun rises and sets at the same time each day, that no one remembers the previous generations, and that there is nothing completely new.
He then goes on to talk about the meaninglessness of wisdom and knowledge because he had attained all the wisdom and knowledge in the world but it only created more grief and sorrow because it exposed all the problems of the world.
He tried pleasure, embracing folly, laughter, amassing silver and gold, embarking on large projects, and much more.
He talks about how all of this madness is just chasing after the wind.
Solomon’s General Observations 3:1-5:20
Solomon starts this section off by talking about how there is a time for everything.
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
He emphasizes that every activity and experience has its appropriate moment governed by God’s divine plan.
He then discusses oppression, toil, and friendlessness.
The oppressed and the oppressing one have no power or comforter. He declared that some of the dead are happier than the living and that the happiest is the one who has never been born to see the evil under the sun.
He saw that most all work and achievement spring from one person’s envy of another and that this too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
He saw that there were people who did no work and ruined themselves and there were people who were all alone because the only thing they did was work. He said they were both meaningless.
He saw that people who love money never have enough and that riches, if not able to be enjoyed, are meaningless.
He observed that it is important for people to be able to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their labor for the few days God has given them.
He said that when God gives someone wealth and the ability to enjoy it, this is a gift from God and the people who have gladness in their hearts don’t reflect on it as much because God keeps them occupied.
Solomon’s Practical Counsel 6:1-8:17
In this section, Solomon gives more practical advice based on what he has seen.
He says that God gives some people wealth, possessions, and honor so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, he says.
He talks about wisdom and says that it is a good thing if used appropriately as well as telling us to consider what God has done. He says when times are good be happy but when times are bad consider that God has made the one as well as the other.
He has seen that the righteous perish in their righteousness and the wicked live long in their wickedness. That we should not be overrighteous or overwise.
He says, that whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
He also says that no one on earth is totally righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
He concludes by saying that no one can completely comprehend what goes on under the sun and that despite all of our efforts to search it out, no one can discover its complete meaning.
Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
Solomon’s Final Conclusion 9:1-12:14
Solomon concludes with a few main points.
First, that death is inevitable for all and that we should try to enjoy our life and work while seeking joy in God’s gifts and our relationship with him.
Second, that life is unpredictable, that wisdom is better than folly but it still doesn’t guarantee success or happiness, that foolishness leads to ruin so act wisely and fear God.
Third, to invest in many different things while young and use your creative spirit, but to remember the certainty of aging and death.
Last, the ultimate purpose of life is to fear God and live in connection with him as he will judge every deed and he provides purpose in our daily activities.
The Main Principles of Ecclesiastes
Below are the main themes that are discussed in Ecclesiastes:
Searching
People are always searching and the more they try to get, the more they realize how little they actually have. No lasting pleasure or happiness is possible without God. Without him, satisfaction is an empty search. We should strive to know and love God because he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy.
Emptiness
The search for pleasure, wealth, and success is ultimately disappointing. Nothing in the world can fill the emptiness and satisfy the deep longings in our restless hearts. The solution for emptiness is to center on God. His love also can fill the emptiness of human experience. Fear God throughout life and fill your life with serving God and others rather than with selfish pleasures.
Work
Without God there is no lasting benefit or reward in hard work. Work done with the wrong attitude will leave us empty. But work accepted as an assignment from God can be seen as a gift. Examine what you expect from your efforts. God gives you abilities and opportunities to work so that you can use your gifts to serve others.
Death
We all die and life is short. We need wisdom that is eternal or greater than this world can offer. We need the words of God so we can live right. If we listen to him, his wisdom spares us the bitterness of futile human experience and gives us a hope that goes beyond death.
Wisdom
Human wisdom doesn’t contain all the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits and in themselves don’t lead to enduring joy. Lasting wisdom comes from God. In order to have God’s wisdom we must first get to know him and learn to trust him.
Closing Thoughts On Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a great book that helps us understand the futile pursuit of chasing money, fame, knowledge, pleasure, and other worldly attainments.
These things, if obtained for the sake of power or status, will be meaningless.
It’s not saying that these things are bad and that we shouldn’t attain them, but instead that just chasing these things for themselves will lead to emptiness if we don’t have a relationship with God.
It’s ok to attain wealth, knowledge, fame, and enjoy pleasure but if they are not part of a larger purpose for your life they won’t give you what you desire.
Only God and a life filled with love can fill the emptiness in your life.
