Sunday, August 5, 2018
pm
An Introduction to Ecclesiastes
In life, most us of us at one time or another have contemplated the big
questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life?
What is there beyond this life? In these times, such questions
seem to be even more pronounced and the answers more complex.
The Bible gives us the answer to these questions and gives our
life real meaning. As
Christians, we accept the Bible as God’s word that is to be followed.
Some 3000 years ago, there was a man, who with wisdom from God, penned
the book of Ecclesiastes.
In that book, these questions are addressed.
Ecclesiastes is a summary of the quest of Solomon to find what is
the meaning of life.
Tonight, we want to begin a study of this book.
As with the psalms, we will examine it from beginning to end.
Because it is a book containing proverbs and addressing numerous
subjects, we may from time to time, move around within it, but it is
somewhat structured in its message.
In this lesson, we are going to introduce this book.
Our plan is to present a lesson each month (typically the first
Sunday evening) until our study is complete.
Though part of the Old Testament, it is “written for our learning”
(Romans 15:4), and admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11), and as part of
God’s word it is “profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As always, we will seek to make application to our lives in
theses studies.
a.
The title –
Ecclesiastes – a Greek word (taken from the word “Preacher” in Eccl.
1:1) meaning a preacher or teacher to a public assembly.
In Greek the word is related to
the Greek word translated “church” which we have established means
the assembling of God’s people.
In Hebrew, it is the word, Qoheleth (קֹהֶ֫לֶת,
qōhelet) which again mean, “preacher” or “teacher”.
The title seems to imply this was a discourse delivered by the teacher
to the congregation of Israel.
b.
Solomon, its author.
While some question his authorship (some dating this book after the
return from Exile), the internal evidence seems to point to Solomon as
the author.
c.
Brief history of
Solomon
– Solomon was David’s son with Bathsheba and the promised heir to his
throne. 1 Kings 1:28ff
describes David at the end of his life appoint Solomon to his throne.
As king, Solomon began with humility.
1 Kings 3:3 says that he loved the LORD and walked in His
statutes, except he sacrificed in the high places (temple not yet built)
1 Kings 3:5-9 - The LORD appears to Him in a dream and offers him
anything he wants – Solomon requests wisdom.
Not only is he given wisdom, but tremendous wealth, power and
fame.
1 Kings 6-8 - He also built the temple for God, which He accepted and it
became the permanent place of worship for Israel (until its
destruction).
During his life, he was extremely wealthy and successful in subduing his
enemies around him.
In the city of Jerusalem, it is said that silver was as common as stones
(1 Kings 10:27), and he made many things with the great amount of gold
he possessed.
He also had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:1-3).
The text says he loved women and intermarried contrary to God’s
wishes. These wives caused
him to turn his heart away from the LORD and to follow their idols (1
King 11:4-8).
As a result, the LORD was angered and declared that after his death, the
kingdom would be taken from his descendants, EXCEPT for Judah (and this
was only because of His promise to David) 1 Kings 11:12-13.
That becomes the tragedy of Solomon’s later life.
d.
Why this book is
attributed to him
i.
Ecclesiastes 1:1- It
begins by noting that he is the “son of David, king of Jerusalem.”
ii.
1:12 – He notes that
he was “King over Israel in Jerusalem”
iii.
1:13 – He sought to
seek and search by wisdom all things done under heaven.
Recall that Solomon was given wisdom from God.
12:9 – he set in
order many proverbs. 1 Kings 4:32 – he wrote 3000 proverbs
iv.
2:4-7 – he was very
wealthy. Solomon’s life
records his great wealth.
v.
2:4-6 – he built
things, including houses. 1
Kings 6-8 records the building of the temple; 1 Kings 7 describes the
many other things he built including houses, his own of which took 13
years to build.
vi.
2:7-8 – he acquired
male and female servants.
We already he loved women and had many.
vii.
Clearly, Solomon was
“qualified” to write this book.
e.
Some of the qualities
we see in the author include:
i.
Pessimism – the very
idea of all being vanity
ii.
Frustration with
life’s inconsistencies – what you do may not be consistently rewarded
iii.
He was self-centered
and materialistic – this is seen in the various things he tries (we also
find this in Solomon)
iv.
He proclaimed the
existence of God – with Him, life has purpose.
Without Him, it does not
v.
He comes to realize
that his life has been a waste and there should be a focus on God.
f.
This book was
probably written later in Solomon’s life.
As I read though this book I see a man looking at his past.
IF this is Solomon, he sees the vanity (emptiness) of everything
he has acquired in this life.
He has a pessimistic outlook (a typical quality of the
intellectual – because much learning can make you that way) and see
failure and foolishness in worldly pursuits.
I like to think (this is my speculation) that in later years, he
realizes how has been alienated from God, and turns back to Him before
it is too late. We find the
need for God as he concludes this book.
IF, this was written in his later life, it would be around 940-930 BC.
a.
To answer the
question: Why am I here? Of What is the meaning of life?
Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, 13 – vanity of vanities…
And I set my heart to seek and
search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this
burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be
exercised. The whole
question is – what profit has a man for all his labors under the sun.
b.
Some keys to consider
as we study this book
i.
While part of the Old
Law, we learn about the nature of man and God, which has not changed.
WE also find practical observations that are always true about
life. This book has many
proverbs.
ii.
Activity is
continually addressed
– there is a small word translated with several English words (including
make, do, accomplish, provide, work, deed) that is used some 64 times.
The book continually deals with being active.
And what it says is NOT all bad.
There’s a place for and merit it being active.
iii.
Vanity
– a word meaning emptiness or vapor.
Used about 38 times in this book.
1:14, I have seen all the
works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and
grasping for the wind.
His desire in this book is for
man to understand that the pursuits of this worlds ways and resources
will NOT bring about true satisfaction.
In Ecclesiastes there are some 21 different things Solomon
describes as “vanity”.
Breath
(wind, heart) – another word is used 24 times.
iv.
Death
– throughout this
book, death is dealt with and given as a reason this life is vanity.
All will die, and when you do, you cannot take this life’s
accomplishments and things with you.
And furthermore, there is the reminder that even if you work hard to
achieve your success, you don’t take it with you.
What happens to it and how will it be used?
As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 15:19 – if in this life only we have
hope, we are all men most pitiable.
v.
Wisdom
– in its various forms is the second most used word in this book. Found
some 53 times. Wisdom is
addressed as good and worthy of respect.
In fact, the writer declares that in his quest he used wisdom
(Eccl. 1:13).
BUT don’t let it be the end all.
Wisdom can turn you against God – 1 Corinthians 1:21-25.
vi.
Fool
– conversely, Solomon
deals with the fool some 18 times
vii.
Good
– that which is good
and pleasurable is addressed some 52 times.
viii.
Observations
– Solomon
addressed what he observed or saw or considered some 50 times.
ix.
God
– (Elohim) is used 40
times in this book.
Clearly, he believes and concludes His greatness.
In Eccl. 3:9-15 he addresses who God is.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 warns about the seriousness of making vows to
God.
c.
A brief outline of
this book:
This is a difficult book to outline because it deals with so many
different subjects. Here’s
a brief outline.
i.
Introduction – 1:1-11
ii.
His pursuit for
meaning – 1:12-2:26
iii.
Observations and
warnings about lie – 3:1-11:8
iv.
Prepare to stand
before God – 11:9-12:14. The writer encourages that we start thinking
about God even in our youth.
d.
Solomon’s conclusion
– Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – what is the conclusion?
Fear God and keep his commandments.
This is man’s all!
Judgment is coming.
And thus we introduce the book of Ecclesiastes.
In coming lessons, may we learn about why we are here and what to
do about it. May we learn
to prepare to meet our God.
Think about it.