Why is the Book of Ecclesiastes so difficult?
Problem 1. It’s got a funny name.
“Ekklesia” in Greek means “the called-out ones”. This Book is known in the Hebrew Bible as “Koheleth” which means “preacher” and indeed the writer in the narrative refers to himself as “The Preacher”.
So, we can conclude that the Book contains thoughts from this “Preacher”. But is his audience the “called-out ones” (the righteous) or is his target audience much wider? I don’t think it is particularly clear, but I tend to think a wider audience is more likely.
Problem 2. The Book of Ecclesiastes belongs in the Hebrew Bible to the group of books known as “Ketuvim” i.e., the wisdom books such as Job and Ruth. Obviously, these are not simple teaching books. The lessons to be learned are contained in the stories, somewhat like poetry. We need to apply ourselves to unravel the practical and philosophical issues under review.
“The Preacher” discusses his journey in pursuit of fulfilment and meaning in life.
But he puts on his search a self-imposed condition that he will undertake it on his own; using his own intellect quite apart from divine revelation.
Problem 3. The Problem of Solomon.
It is generally accepted that Solomon is the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes. He fits the information given concerning “The Preacher”. Solomon was a king in Jerusalem and a son of David (chapter 1:1). He was a man of wisdom (chapter 2:9). He denied himself no pleasure (chapter 2:8). He had many servants (chapter 2:7). He was noted for his great building programme and for his civic beautification programme (chapter 2: 4 – 6).
All the factors are consistent with the description of “The Preacher”.
But we know the contradictions of Solomon’s life. He had intimate contact with God through dreams at the beginning of his reign. He acknowledged God’s gifts to him of wisdom and wealth. His intellectual ability is seen in the Proverbs, the Psalms he composed and in the Song of Songs.
Yet he defied God by his many wives, his involvement in idolatry to please them, and his ever-increasing accumulation of wealth.
Some commentators suggest that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life when he was disillusioned by his self-seeking life. I would like to think that this is true, but it is not clear. Essentially, we just don’t know.
Problem 4. Does Ecclesiastes represent Solomon’s acknowledgment of his folly?
Certainly, for a good part of his reign Solomon went after “the good life”. Perhaps endowed with wisdom and wealth, Solomon felt that if anyone who could find happiness through these means, he could.
It is obvious that Solomon still believed in the existence of God, even during the period when he was seeking fulfilment “under the sun” i.e., without divine revelation.
He makes some forty references to God in the Book of Ecclesiastes. However, does this mean that he was a devout believer at this time? Not necessarily!
Problem 5. The use of the term “Elohim” to refer to God, rather than the term “Jehovah”.
Some commentators see a significant point here. “Elohim” suggests God as the Creator of the universe. Whereas the term “Jehovah” would indicate God as One who enters into a covenant relationship with His people; a God who can only be known by special revelation; the God who shows redeeming grace to those who put their trust in Him.
Other commentators suggest that Solomon uses the term “Elohim” because he has an audience of many nations in mind.
Others suggest that he uses the term “Elohim” because his project is aimed at those living a life apart from God and are seeking meaning in life.
Problem 6. The apparently dismal conclusions which Solomon comes to.
Solomon’s search for fulfilment and meaning does seem to come to the rather sad conclusion that all life is “vanity and grasping for the wind”.
Preaching is supposed to be about bringing good news, but this “Preacher” indicates that as far as he was able to determine life “under the sun” wasn’t worth the effort. He wasn’t able to find fulfilment despite his wealth and wisdom; he failed to discover the “good life”.
But as we said wisdom literature is not necessarily so straightforward; it is designed to get us thinking.
Problem 7. Is the outlook of the Book of Ecclesiastes at odds with the rest of the word of God?
Ecclesiastes is part of the canon of scripture, ordained by God. So, it must be there for a reason. But does it set forth strange doctrine and advocate some questionable morality?
Well, if read in isolation it seems to deny the afterlife (chapter 3:18 – 22), to warn against being too righteous (chapter 7:16) and to recommend a life of pleasure (chapter 10:19).
It also seems to offer some half-truths.
Chapter 1: 4.
“One generation passes away and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever.”
Clearly it is true that one generation follows another, but scripture shows that the earth does not remain forever.
2 Peter 3: 7
“But the heavens and the earth … are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men …”
2 Peter 3: 10
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise …”
Some statements in Ecclesiastes, if taken at face value, are not true at all.
Chapter 2: 24.
“Nothing is better for a man that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labour.”
There is no mention here of an intimate relationship with the Lord which clearly would be “better” than anything for a man.
Chapter 3: 19
“… man has no advantage over animals.”
God, of course, gave man dominion over the animals.
Chapter 9: 5
“… the dead know nothing”.
Death is not the end of existence.
So, how do we resolve these statements in the Book of Ecclesiastes which seem contrary to the rest of the word of God.
I think we need to see the Book of Ecclesiastes as a compendium of human reasoning; a search to understand life’s riddles apart from the aid of divine revelation. So, these odd-ball conclusions have not come through divine revelation and therefore are not a valid source of the proof of doctrine.
So, perhaps we need to look at the Book of Ecclesiastes from an unusual perspective.
“The Preacher” presents his search for meaning in various aspects of life. But he has quite deliberately set out on this journey with a deliberate condition to look at these issues without reference to, and quite apart from God. That is why in each aspect he examines, he finds no fulfilment or satisfaction or meaning. He is therefore compelled to adopt a divine perspective to satisfy himself.
So, let us know examine the meaning the word “vanity” as used here and then look at a few extracts from the book.
The word “vanity” comes from the Latin “vanitas” which means emptiness. The Hebrew word is “habel” meaning emptiness; something transitory and unsatisfactory.
The Vanity (the inability to provide satisfaction) of Intellectual Pursuit. Ecclesiastes 1: 12 –18.
Ecclesiastes 1: 13
“And I set my heart to seek out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven…”
So, in the pursuit of happiness and fulfilment, Solomon decides to go down the route of intellectualism. But remember he is only using his own power of reasoning. He thinks that he might be happy if only he can acquire enough knowledge by his own efforts in researching, exploring and using deductive logic.
And indeed, Solomon was well placed for this pursuit. His wisdom was legendary. He was well educated and already highly knowledgeable in the sciences, literature, philosophy, the arts, social science, psychology and ethics.
But he soon becomes disillusioned and acknowledges failure.
Ecclesiastes 12: 12
“Of making many books there is no end and much study is wearisome to the flesh.”
Solomon expected the outcome of study and knowledge to be success and to produce happiness. But there is no guarantee. When Solomon set his “heart to know” depending on empirical research rather than divine revelation to understand life, he found it to be an empty, meaningless experience.
The proper purpose of the pursuit of knowledge is not as an end in itself, but to enable us to glorify the Lord Yeshua.
The Vanity (emptiness) of Pleasure. Chapter 2: 1 – 3.
Chapter 2: 1.
“I said in my heart, “Come now I will test you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure… “
Having failed to find satisfaction in worldly intellectual pursuit, Solomon turns next to the pursuit of pleasure. But to his credit he seeks to do so in a balanced sort of way, “to gratify my flesh with wine, while guarding my heart with wisdom.”
Pleasure, by definition, means enjoyable sensations that come from the gratification of personal desires. We are told that we can make our own heaven on earth without God. But Solomon found out the emptiness of this.
Chapter 2: 2.
“I said of laughter – “madness” – what does it accomplish?”
Only a close relationship with the Lord provides fullness of joy.
Psalm 16: 11
“You will show me the path of life; on Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand are pleasure evermore.”
The Vanity (emptiness) of Prestige.
Ecclesiastes 2: 4 – 6.
“I made my works great. I built myself a house and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees.”
Seeking prestige in the eyes of the world, Solomon built great houses and created magnificent gardens. He had great flocks, many servants, much gold and other treasures. He put on magnificent musical entertainments. It took thirteen years to build the king’s house. There was another palace in the Forest of Lebanon and a palace for Pharoah’s daughter.
He was the envy of everyone, experiencing great prestige. But when Solomon took stock of all he had and the envy of others, he found no lasting satisfaction.
Ecclesiastes 2: 11.
“Then I looked on all the works that my hand had done and on the labour in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.”
Again, we see the futility of works done apart from God.
Ecclesiastes 2: 26.
“For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God.”
The Vanity (futility) of Labouring Against God’s Plan for our Lives.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3.
“To everything there is a purpose.”
All events in human life are under the control of God. In the plan of God there will be death, war, destruction and sorrow, as well as joy. All of life unfolds at the appointed time of God. All the efforts of man cannot change the timing, circumstances and the control of events which God has reserved for Himself.
God works in ways that are inscrutable to mankind. There is no way we can solve the riddles of creation, providence and the consummation of the universe.
Chapter 3: 11
“.. no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”
God made mankind for His eternal purposes and nothing after the Fall can bring man to the complete satisfaction that eternity in the presence of the Lord will bring.
Revelation 21: 4
“And God will wipe away every tear from the eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
The Vanity (feelings of emptiness) from Considering Life’s Inequalities.
Ecclesiastes 4: 1 – 3
“Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: and look! The tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter – on the side of the oppressors, there is power, but they have no comforter.”
Looking at the business of life’s inequalities on the earth through worldly eyes, causes Solomon distress. The oppression carried out by man against man grieves Solomon. He sees the “tears of the poor” and the failure to defend the downtrodden.
Looking at the state of society from an earthly perspective, death would provide a welcome escape from all the persecutions and cruelties of life. The unborn and the stillborn, Solomon argues, have a more enviable position; they have never lived and been driven to despair by oppression.
However, when the oppressed go to the House of God they can receive a perspective for possible recovery and future hope.
Psalm 73: 17
“… until I went into the sanctuary of God then I understood.”
The Vanity (emptiness) of Popular Religion.
Ecclesiastes 5: 1 – 7.
Verse 1.
“Walk prudently when you go to the house of God, and draw near to hear rather than give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.”
Man is instinctively religious, but this is not necessarily always helpful. Emptiness can seep into the religious life like any other aspect of human activity. Solomon has observed such behaviour as at best, worthless. There is no satisfaction in doing the right thing for the wrong reason. Therefore, he advises against making rash promises to God, reckless professions of faith, a torrent of foolish words, dishonest vows and insincere statements.
The worldly person, living apart from God, involves himself in irreverent worship, but promises to God have serious consequences.
Deuteronomy 23: 21 – 23.
“That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised from your mouth.”
The religiosity of man is futile and empty. Only true faith and righteousness before God is of value and this the worldly person cannot obtain or perceive of. He cannot see his need for salvation as a free gift from God.
The Vanity (lack of satisfaction) in Politics.
Ecclesiastes 5: 8
“If you see oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.”
The worldly man, living apart from God, shows his character in political life; do not expect anything of a satisfactory nature.
Officials use their position to obtain wealth for themselves; the higher the position the more corrupt political life becomes.
But the man of God can take satisfaction in knowing that God is the highest authority. He will settle all accounts one day. Even the highest human official is dependent on the Lord whose justice and all-embracing wisdom will not be shaken by the injustices of this world.
The Vanity (emptiness) of Passing Riches.
Ecclesiastes 6: 1 and 2.
“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and itis common among men. A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honour, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires, yet God does not give him the power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.”
The worldly person, living apart from God, welcomes riches. Gambling is rife in society. Wealth produces an insatiable appetite. Desire always outruns possessions; no matter how quickly acquisitions grow. The greedy rarely enjoy satisfaction and decent rest. The love of money is never satisfied. The business of lusting for more is as foolish as “grasping for the wind”.
For the man of God there is grave danger and little satisfaction in wealth; a view derived from a perspective of eternity. Earthly pleasures bring anxiety and pain. Riches can disappear (bad investments) and are left behind at death. In contrast to the anxieties of the rich, those who consider God to be the real source of wealth, have pleasure, riches and importantly the ability to enjoy them.
Conclusion.
Solomon concludes that all life “under the sun” is hardly worth the effort. He was unable to find fulfilment and lasting satisfaction. Despite all his wisdom and wealth, he failed to find the “good life”
And of course, his conclusion was quite right!
Without a relationship with the Lord, everything that the world has to offer cannot satisfy the heart of man. Solomon’s experience anticipates the words of the Lord Yeshua.
John 4: 13, 14.
“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”
Rather than experiencing vexation over the complications of life, one should enjoy the simple pleasures that the Lord provides. Enjoyment in life is inextricably linked to a relationship with the Lord.
Matthew 6: 19 – 21. The words of the Lord Yeshua.
“Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where moths and rust decay and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The natural man, looking at the world through humanistic and earth-bound eyes, thinks he can make himself happy through possessions, travel, alcohol, drugs and sexual conquests etc. All this is folly as it denies and prevents a relationship with the Lord Yeshua.
Psalm 131.
“Lord my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.”
God’s wisdom is indeed in the Book of Ecclesiastes. We just have to do a bit of work to grasp it.
AMEN.