and klesis, a calling. Thus, the meaning is a calling out. In the English we get the word

Transcription

1 Analysis of Ecclesiastes General Ecclesiastes gets its title from the Hebrew text, which is translated The words of the preacher in verse one. The Hebrew word for preacher (qoheleth) is a word that means, to assemble. The Greek version of the OT uses the word ecclesiastes from ek, out of and klesis, a calling. Thus, the meaning is a calling out. In the English we get the word preacher who calls out a group of people or speaks to an assembly. In the Old Testament a qoholeth was an official speaker to a group of people. Solomon is the Preacher in Ecclesiastes and deals with issues in life that seem senseless and can be frustrating or confusing apart from God. Written late in Solomon s life, the sage reflects back on what He has learned through observation and reason and then comes to the only logical conclusion, which is fear God and keep His commandments because, ultimately, He is in control. Without this realization, life (under the sun), which is fleeting (vanity), is full of seemingly meaningless and futile attempts at contentment (vanity). Authorship Solomon fits the information given in the book. He is a son of David and king in Jerusalem (1:1). The writer has been given great wisdom (1:16; cf. 1 Kings 10:23-24). The writer has extreme wealth (2:8; cf. 1 Kings 10:23), undertaken extensive building projects (2:4-6; cf. 1 Kings 9:10, 15-19; 10:4, 26-29) and was a writer of many proverbs (12:9; cf. 1 Kings 4:32). These all fit the description of Solomon, King of Israel, and Son of David. Date If it is accepted that Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, it can be determined that the book was written late in his life after he had explored life s meaning and come to the conclusions that he did. The book had to have been written before 931 B.C. since Solomon died around that year. His reign began in 971 B.C. while Solomon was still young and in experienced (1 Kings 3:7).

2 Original Audience Solomon s primary audience was the people of Israel in which He ruled over as king. He may have been specifically targeting the younger generation (11:9-12:7), but wanted all to learn from his experience and observations. Key Interpretive Issues 1) What is the meaning of the word vanity, which occurs throughout the book? Vanity can mean: A) brevity or transience, B) meaninglessness, C) beyond understanding or incomprehensible. The context will determine which use is needed. 2) What is the structure of the book? 3) What does it mean to fear God? 4) What does the phrase under the sun mean? Subject/Purpose Statement The book of Ecclesiastes was written to tell people that the life that is worth living is the life that fears God and keeps His commandments because He is in control of all things. Until a person learns this lesson, his/her short life will seem vain and lack meaning. Outline of Ecclesiastes 1. Prologue: 1:1-11 a. All Is Vanity because life is cyclical and continues that way despite man s influence (1:1-11). 2. Main Body: 1:12-12:7 a. Solomon s frustration over his inability to change life s cycles (1:12-18). b. Solomon tests his observations and determines all is meaningless (2:1-26). i. Pleasure does not fulfill (2:1-3). ii. Possessions do not fulfill (2:4-11). iii. Wisdom does not change the end result apart from God (2:12-18). iv. Solomon expresses frustration over accomplishments because they could be squandered after you die (2:19-26).

3 c. Solomon s first conclusion: i. God is in control of all things despite life s problems (3:1-4:16). 1. There is an appointment and a purpose for everything (3:1-15) 2. Man is responsible even though God is in control (3:16-18). 3. Man should resign himself to do well and enjoy what they have been given from God because they cannot change their lot (3:19-22). 4. Oppression of the weak is a travesty (4:1-3). 5. Toil for no good purpose or benefit in vain (4:4-8). 6. Life without companionship is vain (4:9-12). 7. Lack of appreciation for accomplishments makes them vain (4:13-16). d. Solomon s second conclusion: i. Fear God because He is in control despite your status (5:1-17). 1. Fear God (5:1-7) 2. Position and wealth are vanity (5:8-17). e. Solomon s third conclusion: i. Enjoy your lot because it is a gift from God who is in control (5:18-6:12). 1. Enjoy your lot (5:18-20). 2. Life is vain when man is not satisfied with his lot given by God (6:1-12). f. Solomon s fourth conclusion: i. Wisdom does not guarantee an easy life when God is in control (7:1-29). 1. Wisdom is better than folly (7:1-12). 2. God is in control regardless of what happens (7:13-14). 3. Sometimes the righteous suffers and the wicked prosper, but what matters is that you are wise and fear God (7:15-19). 4. Mankind is sinful and that is the problem (7:20-29).

4 g. Solomon s fifth conclusion: i. Enjoy life despite its many problems because God is in control (8:1-9:10). 1. Wisdom allows a man to know when and how to act (8:1-9). 2. Those who fear God ultimately triumph (8:10-13). 3. God is in control despite man s inability to know and understand all His ways (8:14-17). 4. Death and life are in the hand of God and all die (9:1-6). 5. God is in control, enjoy what He has given despite life s many injustices (9:7-10). h. Solomon s sixth conclusion: i. Live wise because anything can happen when God is in control (9:11-11:8). 1. Wisdom does not guarantee success, but is still better than folly (9:11-11:8). i. Solomon s seventh conclusion: i. While God is in control, mankind is still responsible so start obeying young (11:9-12:7). 1. Enjoy life while you are young, but remember that you will be held responsible for your choices (11:8-10). 2. Remember God while you are young because age comes quick and youth is fleeting (12:1-7). 3. Epilogue: a. Solomon s Final Conclusion: Fear God who is in control (12:8-14). 1. God has given us truth to guide us through life (12:8-12).

5 2. Fear God and keep His commandments because you will be held responsible (12:13-14). Theological Issues 1) Does Solomon believe in an after life (3:18-19)? The answer is yes (12:7). 2) If God is in control, is mankind still responsible for their actions? Solomon says, yes (3:17; 11:9; 12:14). 3) The sovereignty of God over all things is a key theme in the book. Theological Application Knowing you are responsible for your decisions and yet God is still in control can give a person an extreme amount of peace and at the same time facilitate godly living. In a society that is consumed with pleasure, Solomon warns us that wealth and pleasure cannot satisfy and can be fleeting. God may place circumstances in your life that allow you to enjoy neither or at least limit your time to enjoy them. Learning to enjoy the simple pleasures that God has given and to accept the hard things in life as inevitable and ultimately under God s control is the wise way to live. Secondly, it is better that God is in control, even when we think that things in the world are wrong and we would change them if we could (i.e. Make straight what God has made crooked (1:15).