ECCLESIASTES---BITTERNESS AND BACKSLIDING

INTRODUCTION

1.    The book of Ecclesiastes is entitled “Koheleth” in the Hebrew Bible.

A.   “Ecclesiastes” is the Greek name given to the book in the Septuagint.

B.   The word is translated “The Preacher”, or one who addresses an assembly.

C.   Thus, the words of this book become the admonition of the preacher to a congregation.

D.   These are words to be listened to from a man who knows what he is talking about. The book of Ecclesiastes is a sermon.

2.    Ecclesiastes is a much misunderstood book.

A.   Pessimists have found material in it to bolster their views.

B.   Skeptics have claimed support from it for their contention that there is no life after death.

C.   It has always been a favorite book with atheists. It is said that Volney and Voltaire frequently referred to it in support of their denials.

D.   No one can deny that it contains statements that are contradictory with the rest of Bible teaching, and gives approval to things which Christians denounce. (read: 1:15; 2:24; 3:3,8,19,20; 7:16,17; 8:15)

E.   To rightly understand the book the proper key to its study must be found, as with all the books of the Bible.

AUTHOR: Solomon

1.    Because of the indirect claim of the book itself. (1:1,12)

2.    Because of the general opinion of Christians and Jews from earliest times.

3.    Because of the qualification of Solomon to write it.

KEY WORDS

1.    “under the sun” - occurs 29 times

2.    “vanity” - occurs 37 times

3.    “under the heaven” - occurs 3 times

4.    “upon the earth” - occurs 7 times

KEY TO THE BOOK

1.    There is no doubt that Solomon was its author, and that it is the autobiography of his life and experiences when he got away from God and tried various methods of securing happiness.

2.    This book had its origin in the sad backsliding of Solomon.

3.    Ecclesiastes has well been called “the book of the natural man”.

A.   Not once is the covenant title “Jehovah” used, thus signifying a lack of spiritual relationship.

B.   The book refers only to man in relation to his Creator.

4.    The entire book is simply an account of the futility of man to find happiness apart from God.

5.    Therefore, the book of Ecclesiastes must be read and studied in this perspective. We are not admonished to follow Solomon’s example but to shun it, and to “fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”.

THE FUTILE SEARCH---apart from God, unhappy, insecure, pessimistic, fatalistic and backslidden, Solomon sought satisfaction in:

  1.   Science (1:4-11) but he noted a sameness in nature.

  2.   Wisdom and philosophy (1:12-18) but all to no purpose but increased sorrow.

  3.   Pleasure (2:1-11) in mirth (1), drinking (3), building (4), great possessions (5-7), wealth and music (8), but he found them all to be empty.

  4.   Materialism (2:12-26) by living merely for the present.

  5.   Fatalism (3:1-13).

  6.   Deism (3:14-4:16) is the belief that God is the creator of the world and the final judge of men, but is completely beyond the range of human experience.

  7.   Religious practices (5:1-8).

  8.   Health (5:9-6:12).

  9.   Morality (7:1-12:12). Here we are on a higher plane, but even morality did not satisfy.

10.  God (12:13-14) the only satisfaction.

THE MESSAGES

1.    Apart from God life is full of weariness and disappointment.

2.    This book would wean us from the love of the world.

3.    We are shown that man is not made for this world alone and not for selfish achievement or gratification, but to fulfill some great plan of God.

4.    We are made conscious of the fact that a man who fears God has an advantage over all others.

5.    While Solomon views man as “under the sun”, the Christian must realize that the man of God is ABOVE the sun and is “seated with Christ in the heavenlies”, and that “our citizenship is in heaven”.

THE END OF THE MATTER

1.    Did Solomon ever get right again? Was he ever restored?

2.    The concluding chapter of the book seems to definitely indicate that this great king of Israel did come back to God - probably in his old age after he had had an opportunity to review his whole life of futility apart from God with whom he had once walked.

OUTLINE

  I.    INTRODUCTION (1:1-11) The weariness of endless repetition

 II.    THE VANITY OF EARTHLY PURSUIT (1:12-2:26)

A.   Quest for satisfaction (1:12-2:11)

1.    Wisdom

2.    Pleasure

3.    Labor

B.   Harvest of futility (2:12-26)

III.   EVERYTHING IN ITS TIME (3:1-11)

IV.   THE SEEMING TRIUMPH OF EVIL (3:12-4:16)

 V.   PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING (5:1-11:10)

VI.   CONCLUSION: ONLY IN GOD CAN SATISFACTION BE FOUND. (12)