The opening word of this book tells us something of who the author is and about its content. Ecclesiastes 1:1 reads: - The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem. Some bibles add a sub-heading “The Preacher”. If you turn to the second book of Chronicles, King David under the ruling hand of God, appointed Solomon to supersede him as King. Once Solomon was in office, God spoke to Solomon in the night (2 Chronicles 1: 7) and asked him for whatever he wished. Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding to rule God’s people well. God honoured Solomon’s request by granting him great wisdom and understanding far exceeding the wisdom of any one living on the earth at that time.
Through this wisdom gained Solomon was so able to share the truths in this book.
In Ecclesiastes 1:16 to 18 Solomon says:- I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." 17:Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18:For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Here we see in the first chapter the wisdom and knowledge he had gained, which far outweighed anyone else, then continued to observe and analyse the futility of all that mankind can gain, while living on earth.
Solomon is seeking to highlight the futility of life, as one generation passes away, and another is born. Ecclesiastes 1:2 reads:"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." 3:What does man gain from all his labour at which he toils under the sun? 4:Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
As we continue reading in chapter one we see how life is like a treadmill, and there is nothing new. Once we are on the treadmill we seem to want to strive for better and bigger things. Ecclesiastes 1:4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5:The sun rises and the sunsets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6:The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7:All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8:All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9:What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10:Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
In Ecclesiastes 2:1 Solomon continues :I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. 2:"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3:I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly - my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worth while for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. 4:I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5:I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.6:I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7:I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8:I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well - the delights of the heart of man. 9:I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10:I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour.
We now discovering one good fact, that in all we do, we are able to get pleasure from it. Let us recall what John heard and saw in heaven in the vision he had recorded in the last book in the Bible. Revelation 4:11, (KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. God was looking for companionship, by creating man on earth and creating all the living creatures and plant life, for our pleasure. Ecclesiastes 2: 24 to 26 continues: A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25:for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.
It is God who made us for His pleasure, but who is also the source of our joy, through the achievements we gained by the knowledge and wisdom He has given.
Pleasures of eating and drinking
Solomon then begins to describe some of the pleasures of life that will give us joy, for example in Ecclesiastes 5:18 Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot.
Pleasures of wealth.
Ecclesiastes 5: 19:Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. 20:He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart Ecclesiastes 7:14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider
Pleasures of marriage
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun - all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labour under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up! 11:Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12:Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Lets just pause and consider this quotation, Ecclesiastes 4:12 A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
The process of creating a cord of three strands brings this quotation to life. As the three strands approach being woven together each strand is twisted in the opposite direction before the final twisting. By twisting them in reverse, when the three strands come together they will automatically seek to unwind again, and twist into one another. Consequently they will stay locked into one another so when used and under tension they will take the strain equally. This is a wonderful example of marriage, the three-fold cord, husband, wife and the Lord. We learn from the book of Mark the servitude of Jesus, preferring others. What a secret for marriage, when we prefer one another to ourselves, we become Christ like, working with the Lord and not pulling against one another, then Solomon’s words becomes important.
Lets now turn back to Ecclesiastes 3:1:. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Let us not run in front or loiter in the Lords plans, but seek to walk in His footsteps.
But Solomon gives us a timely warning to live a balanced lifestyle, for in Ecclesiastes 7:16 to 18 we read: Do not be over-righteous, neither be over wise - why destroy yourself? 17:Do not be over wicked, and do not be a fool - why die before your time? 18:It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
In summing up, Solomon in the last verses of the last chapter tells us: Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14:For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
We will never be able to out do God, for as one has quoted, God is no man’s debtor. He just wants to bless us, and bring us joy.
Further studies to this book will be given at a later date.
