Ecclesiastes

Read Ecclesiastes in the New Living Translation with Life Application notes, cross-references, profiles and charts.

Chapters

Introduction to Ecclesiastes from the Life Application Study Bible

Book introductions contain charts, maps and timelines that are best seen on the scanned pages: p. 1060, p. 1061.

page 1060

VITAL STATISTICS PURPOSE: To spare future generations the bitterness of learning through their own experience that life is meaningless apart from God AUTHOR: Solomon ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: Solomon’s subjects in particular, and all people in general DATE WRITTEN: Probably around 935 B.C., late in Solomon’s life SETTING: Solomon was looking back on his life, much of which was lived apart from God. KEY VERSE: “That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (12:13).

THE CHOCOLATE bunny lies in the basket,

surrounded by green paper “grass.” With

Easter morning eyes wide with anticipation,

the little boy carefully lifts the candy figure and

bites into one of the long ears. But the sweet

taste fades quickly, and the child looks again

at the candy in his hand. It’s hollow!

Empty, futile, hollow, nothing—the words

have a ring of disappointment and disillusion-

ment. Yet this is the life experience of many. Grasping the sweet things—possessions, experience, power, and pleasure—they find nothing inside. Life is empty, meaningless—and they sink into despair. Almost 3,000 years ago, Solomon spoke of this human dilemma; but the insights and applications of his message are relevant to our time. Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s written sermon, is an analysis of life’s experiences and a critical essay about life's true meaning. In this profound book, Solomon takes us on a reflective journey through his life, explaining how everything he had tried, tested, or tasted had been “meaningless’—useless, irrational, pointless, foolish, and empty—an exercise in futility. And remember, these words are from one who “had it all’—tremendous intellect, power, and wealth. After this biographical tour, Solomon made his triumphant conclusion: “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (12:13, 14). When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:7-12), and he became the wisest man in the world (1 Kings 4:29-34). Solomon studied, taught, judged, and wrote. Kings and leaders from other nations came to Jerusalem to learn from him. But with all of his practical insight on life, Solomon failed to heed his own advice, and he began a downward spiral. Near the end of his life, Solomon looked back with an attitude of humility and repentance. He took stock of his life, hoping to spare his readers the bitterness of learning through personal experience that everything apart from God is empty, hollow, and meaningless. Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is negative and pessimistic, we must not conclude that the only chapter worth reading and applying is the last one, where he draws his conclusions. In reality, the entire book is filled with practical wisdom (how to accomplish things in the world and stay out of trouble) and spiritual wisdom (how to find and know eternal values). Solomon had a very honest approach. All of his remarks relating to the futility of life are there for a purpose: to lead us to seek fulfillment and happiness in God alone. He was not trying to destroy all hope, but to direct our hopes to the only one who can truly fulfill them and give our life meaning. Solomon affirms the value of knowledge, relationships, work, and pleasure, but only in their proper place. Everything temporal must be seen in light of the eternal. Read Ecclesiastes and learn about life. Hear the stern warnings and dire predictions, and commit yourself to remember your Creator now (12:1).

page 1061

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THE BLUEPRINT 1. Solomon’s personal experience (1:1—2:26) 2. Solomon’s general observations (3:1—5:20) 3. Solomon’s practical counsel (6:1—8:17) 4, Solomon’s final conclusion (9:1—12:14)

Ecclesiastes shows that certain paths in life lead to emptiness. This profound book also helps us discover true purpose in life. Such wisdom can spare us from the emptiness that results from a life without God. Solomon teaches that people will not find meaning in life through knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity. True satisfaction comes from knowing that what we are doing is part of God’s purpose for our life. This is a book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draw us closer to God.

MEGATHEMES THEME Searching

Emptiness

Work

Death

Wisdom

EXPLANATION

Solomon searched for satisfaction almost as though he was conducting a scientific experiment. Through this process, he discovered that life without God is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, meaning, and fulfillment. True happiness is not in our power to attain because we always want more than we can have. In addition, there are circumstances beyond our control that can snatch away our possessions or attainments.

Solomon shows how empty it is to pursue the pleasures that this life has to offer rather than seek to have a relationship with the eternal God. 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.

Solomon tried to shake people's confidence in their own efforts, abilities, and wisdom and to direct them to faith in God as the only sound basis for living. Without God, there is no lasting reward or benefit in hard work.

The certainty of death makes all human achieve- ments futile. God has a plan for each one of us that goes beyond life and death. The reality of aging and dying reminds each individual of the end to come when God will judge each person's life.

Human wisdom doesn’t contain ail the answers. Knowledge and education have their limits. To understand life and make right choices, we need the wisdom that can be found only in God’s Word—the Bible.

IMPORTANCE People are still searching. Yet the more they try to get, the more they realize how little they really have. No pleasure or happiness is possible without God. Without him, satisfaction is a lost search. Above everything we should strive to know and love God. He gives wisdom, knowl- edge, and joy. The cure for emptiness is to center on God. His love also can fill the emptiness of human experience. Fear God throughout your life, and fill your life with serving God and others rather than with selfish pleasures. Work done with the wrong attitude wilt 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 time weil. Because life is short, we need wisdom that is 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. When we realize that God will evaluate all that we do, we should learn to live wisely, remem- bering that he is present each day, and learn to obey his guidelines for living. But in order to have God’s wisdom, we must first get to know and honor him.

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