Bible Survey

Ecclesiastes

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Title

1.Hebrew - tl,h,äqo yrEb.DI

2.Greek - VEkklhsiaste,j3.Latin - Ecclesastes

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Author

SolomonEcclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Bible Survey - EcclesiastesOther passages pointing to Solomonic

Authorship:

Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility.

Ecclesiastes 2:4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself….

Ecclesiastes 2:8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces….

Ecclesiastes 12:9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Date of Writing

~ 935 BC

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Theme

The Futility of Pursuing Things Other Than God

The word, “vanity” is used at least 37 times in this book to express the worthlessness of worldly pursuits. Many have seen an inherent cynicism in this book, with its emphasis on the futility of human effort. But that cynicism is only expressed in regard to human efforts expended for the sake of human pleasure. The conclusion of the author is that there is one thing worth pursuing: God.

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes. . . there is one thing worth pursuing: God.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.

 Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your

Creator in the days of your youth.  Ecclesiastes 12:13 The conclusion, when

all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Bible Survey - EcclesiastesPurpose of Writing

Ecclesiastes is written to describe the futility of a life lived in pursuit of things other than God. It is not just a life that is lived apart from God, for even a life lived in the light of God’s commands can be futile, if those commands are not followed. So we must interpret his statement at the end of the book to be teaching us that all of our activities must be directed towards knowing God better.

Bible Survey - EcclesiastesChrist in Ecclesiastes

Christ is the perfect model of a person who went about the mundane tasks of life in a way that was simultaneously seeking after God. By making God the goal of his life, Christ made all of his deeds lasting and important. Even the cross became an avenue for him to experience the pleasure of God (Heb. 12:2).

Bible Survey - EcclesiastesEccl.

Complaint NT Ref. Promise

1:3 No advantage to work

Phil. 1:6 God will complete his work in us

1:9 Nothing new in the world

II Cor. 5:17

We are made new in Christ

1:14 All work is vanity

I Cor. 15:58

Our work for Christ is not in vain

6:12 Humanity will soon die

John 3:16 In Christ we have eternal life

8:15 Pleasure is temporary

Phil. 2:13 God works in us for his pleasure

8:17 We cannot know God

I Cor. 13:12

We will know God as we are known

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Christ in Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 12:11 speaks of the “one Shepherd” who gives all the words of wisdom. This one Shepherd can only be the Son of God in his role as the Wisdom of God.

Bible Survey - EcclesiastesJohn 10:11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Bible Survey - Ecclesiastes

Place in the CanonThe book of Ecclesiastes reveals to us the truth that life is utterly meaningless unless it is lived for the purpose of knowing God. Everything else eventually comes to ruin.