The book of Ecclesiastes is written to teach us about life in this world. The title “Ecclesiastes” is taken from the Greek word in the ancient Greek translation of the Bible called the Septuagint. Ecclesiastes in English is translated as teacher, preacher, and spokesman.
The author is the son of David and a king in Jerusalem in his later years of life. Most believe it is Solomon though the author’s name does not appear in the text. Solomon surely is the most likely person to have been able to make the claims found in the book.
A synopsis is stated at the beginning of the treatises.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
35 times “meaningless” is repeated in the book. Life “under the sun” meaning “with ourselves as the center instead of God” is worthless, absurd, empty, futile, vanity, and pointless. A godless life is inconsequential and insignificant. Between physical birth and death, our existence is full of enigmas, the greatest of which is how we choose to live.
The author goes into detail in the rest of the book. He shows us the logical reason he came to this understanding. His desire is for those who are able will accept his conclusion, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (12:13-14)
IS his conclusion and advice correct? In the next few weeks, we will see.
