Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecc. 12:13, 14
Meaning of Life
The title, Ecclesiastes, means “preacher,” as does the Hebrew term Qoheleth, by which the writer identifies himself. This teacher is a philosopher, who sets out to explore life’s meaning. His cry, repeated in 1:2 and 12:8, sums up his conclusion:” ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’ “
This theme is developed in a number of discourses, the first set demonstrating the meaninglessness of life and the second drawing ethical deductions from his observations on life.
This pessimistic tone seems out of place in the Bible, a book which is vibrant with hope. But its role in Scripture can be understood when we grasp the nature of Qoheleth’s study. He limits his search for life’s meaning to data gained by the senses within the material universe alone. This is reflrected in the phrase “under the sun,” which occurs 29 times in the book.
He also relies only on the power of human reason, stating seven times that he “communed with my own heart.” In essence, the writer consciously ignored special revelation to find out if life holds any meaning apart from insights provided by God. Given this framework, the book makes an important contribution. It resonates with the emptiness we all feel when alienated from God and demonstrates that apart from a personal relationship with Him. Given this framework, the book makes an important contribution. It resonates with the emptiness we all feel when alienated from God and demonstrates that apart from a personal relationship with Him, life is meaningless indeed. The Teacher’s conclusions also remind us that, while nature does witness to God’s existence, and human experience commends a moral lifestyle, only a living Word from God can pierce the darkness in which we live. Reason apart from revelation is powerless to provide mankind with valid spiritual hope.
Interpreting Ecclesiastes
The unique nature of this book also shapes our interpretation. Ecclesiastes is not a word from God, but a word from one of history’s wisest men. His conclusions are eminently reasonable, but are frequently wrong! Thus such sayings as “the dead know nothing: they have no further reward,” is an appropriate deduction from what man can observe. But it is not true, as other passages of Scripture which are revelation, make clear. If we read this book as an accurate portrayal of the best reasoning of which man is capable, we will sense the emptiness in human beings that God is eager to fill with His love. We will better understand our unsaved neighbors and become more sensitive to their needs.
Date and authorship. The traditional view holds that Solomon is the author of Ecclesiastes. This is suggested by internal evidence, which identifies the author as the descendant of David, who ruled in Jerusalem, was renowned for his wisdom, and possessed unparalleled wealth which he used in extensive building projects.
Some modern scholars have argued that the philosophical cast of the book and its many distinctive words point to a postexilic date. However, the linguistic arguments have all been satisfactorily answered by conservative scholars, and a pre-exilic date is fully justified. It is likely the book was composed near the end of Solomon’s reign, perhaps in his last decade (940-930 B.C.).
This book is one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible. Negative descriptions such as “cynical,” “fatalistic,” or “existential” do not do the Book of Ecclesiastes justice. There is too much evidence of robust cheerfulness throughout its pages. “So I commended enjoyment” (8:15) is a recurrent theme that pervades the book; In fact, the Hebrew words for “gladness” and “being glad” appear 17 times in Ecclesiastes. The underlying mood of the book is joy: finding pleasure in life despite the troubles that often plague it. Those who fear and worship God should experience this joy: they should rejoice in the gifts God has given them.
Purpose Solomon probably wrote this book toward the end of his life, after he had repented of idolatry and his pursuit of foreign wives. Thus the Book of Ecclesiastes is both a monument to Solomon’s recommitment to the living God and a guide for others through the pitfalls and perils of life.
Themes Sometimes it is better to read the end of a book to understand better the direction in which the book is headed. This is certainly true of Ecclesiastes. The book should be interpreted in light of its conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (12:3). To fear God means to revere, worship, and serve God – to turn from evil and turn in awe to the living God. This was the attitude of Abraham, Job, and the Egyptian midwives. It does not involve dread, but instead a proper respect for and obedience to our Creator. Why should we respect and obey God? The Book of Ecclesiastes answers this question in its concluding verse (12:14): God will judge everyone – both the righteous and the wicked. Life cannot be lived with abandon, as if God will not see or remember the deeds of the past. For on the final day, he will call forth all men and women to account for their actions. The admonition to fear God and the expectation of divine judgment are the two great themes that conclude the book and provide an interpretative framework for the rest of it.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecc. 12:13, 14
The journey of Solomon to his conclusion “to fear God” is founded on the human search for meaning in life. In 3:11, Solomon eloquently expresses humankind’s dilemma: God has placed eternity in our hearts. A search for true meaning in this life – in money or fame, for instance – will only leave us empty-handed, because our souls yearn for something that will last. Our frustration arises from a hunger to fellowship with our eternal Creator – the only One who can give meaning to our lives. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon takes us on a tour of all of life and concludes that all of it is vanity. Pleasures and riches lead merely to boredom and despair. Only a relationship with the One who created with us and continues to care for us will truly satisfy. Troubles and uncertainty will continue to plague us, but even during these times we can find joy in a secure trust in our Father.
CHRIST IN THE SCRIPTURES
Ecclesiastes is a candid commentary on the emptiness and inner perplexity that marks the life of one who is disconnected from his Creator. It’s a journal of honest doubts, hopes, and fears. Because all people have “eternity in their hearts” (3:11), there is a purpose for Jesus to disrobe Himself of His divine dignity and descend to our sinful planet. In that we bear God’s image, He desires to enter our world to provide the necessary remedy in order to maximize our eternal potential. As we peer into the looking glass and see the sad state of life lived apart from the Lord, we recognize that only in Jesus can ultimate satisfaction, wisdom, and joy be found.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecc. 3:11
