Ecclesiastes: The Preacher’s Farewell Address

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  1. A Look at the Book

    1. Author - Solomon 1:1, 12, 16

      1. Some have disputed Solomon’s authorship based upon the appearance of some Aramaic and Persian words and phrases which appear in the text.

      2. When one remembers that Solomon had many wives from all over the world (2 Kings 11:1-4), it is not surprising to see variances from the Hebrew language (Neh 13:23-24).

    2. Date - toward the end of Solomon’s life, probably @ 977 B.C.

    3. Theme - "Finding true happiness in life."

    4. Key words & phrases - "vanity" (37 times) "under the sun" (29)

    5. Analysis of the Book:

      1. Introduction — 1:1-11

      2. Solomon’s Quest for Happiness — 1:12 - 8:17 . . .

        1. in philosophy — 1:12-18

        2. in prosperity — 2:1-26

        3. in power & prestige — 3:1 - 5:20

        4. in pleasures — 6:1 - 8:17

      3. Solomon’s charge to prepare for Judgment — 9:1 - 12:7

      4. Solomon’s Conclusion — 12:8-13

  2. Key Thoughts

    1. Chapter 1 - the powerlessness of humanity

      1. Human effort has no power to effect lasting and significant change - vv 2-11

      2. Human philosophy is powerless to satisfy - vv 12-18

    2. Chapter 2 Hedonism will not satisfy:

      1. Wine - v 3

      2. Works of one’s hands - vv 4-6

      3. Leisure and entertainment - vv 7-8 Hobbies - (2:8 collecting of "peculiar treasures")

      4. All this was vanity — v 10-11

      5. Wise or foolish, rich or poor, all men die — v 14

      6. At death, I must leave my possessions behind - vv 18 (5:15)

    3. Chapter 3 ‘There is a time for everything . . .’ vv 1-8

      1. v 11 "God has made everything beautiful in its time," even death (Ps 116:15; Phil 1:21-23)

      2. All living things return to dust - v 20 (cf 12:7; Gen 3:19)

    4. Chapter 4 "Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit" - v 6.

    5. Chapter 5

      1. Be a man of your word. Be careful in making vows. vv 2-7

      2. "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet" - v 12

    6. Chapter 6 beware of covetousness - vv 2, 7 (cf Lk 12:15-21)

    7. Chapter 7

      1. A good name is better than precious ointment - v 1 (Pr 22:1)

      2. The day of death is better than the day of birth - v 1b

      3. "There is not a just man on earth, who does good, and sins not" - v 20 (cf Rom 3:10; 23).

    8. Chapter 8

      1. No man has power to retain his spirit - v 8

      2. The evil-doer must be punished quickly - v 11

    9. Chapter 9

      1. Do good while you yet live - vv 2-10 (emp v 4)

      2. Death is no respecter of persons - vv 11-12

      3. Wisdom is better than the weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good" v 18.

    10. Chapter 10

      1. Wisdom and folly

      2. Nothing is said in absolute confidence - v 20

    11. Chapter 11

      1. Work despite the threat of bad weather - v 4

      2. God will bring the works of youth into judgment - vv 9-10

    12. Chapter 12

      1. Remember the Lord when you are young - vv 1-7

      2. The conclusion of the whole matter - vv 12-13

 

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