Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
is
the
Greek
translation
of
Koheleth,
which
is
generally
translated
as
preacher.
Koheleth
is
the
name
the
writer
gives
himself in several places in this book. The word Koheleth is found only in Ecclesiastes.
Although
the
writer
isn’t
named,
verses
1:1,
1:12,
1:16
and
2:4–9
strongly
suggest
it
was
Solomon.
As
we
read
Ecclesiastes,
it
is
easy to view it as Solomon’s reflections on his life and all its extravagances, and the futility of them without God.
‘Vanity’
is
used
thirty-eight
times
in
Ecclesiastes.
In
the
context
of
this
book,
it
takes
on
the
Oxford
Dictionary’s
second
meaning:
‘the
quality
of
being
worthless
or
futile’,
or
as
Strong
describes
it:
H1892
emptiness
or
vanity;
figuratively
something
transitory
and
unsatisfactory.
Summary
Chapter 1
Men
come
and
go
and
nature
goes
through
continuous
cycles.
There
is
nothing
new
under
the
sun.
The
writer
gave
his
heart
to
seeking
out
wisdom,
and
in
his
observation
of
all
things
declares
wisdom
is
meaningless,
as
the
abundance
of
wisdom
and
knowledge
merely
exposes lack of knowledge and consequent sorrow.
Chapter 2
The
teacher
relates
his
acquisition
of
pleasures
and
possessions
and
considers
them
all
as
vanity
and
waywardness
of
spirit;
of
no
advantage
under
the
sun.
Even
wisdom
that
excels
folly
becomes
meaningless
at
the
point
of
death.
The
toils
of
life
are
resented,
they
are all meaningless, for there is no satisfaction in life without God.
Chapter 3
There
is
a
time
and
season
for
everything
in
life
and
In
this
world.
Everything
that
God
has
made
is
beautiful
in
its
time
and
is
a
gift
from God, for which people should be thankful.
What
God
has
done
is
everlasting
and
nothing
can
be
added
to
or
taken
away
from
it.
Man
should
be
in
awe
of
Him,
for
He
will
judge
both the good and bad. All will return to dust, until which time man should enjoy the fruits of his own labour.
Chapter 4
The
oppressions
of
life
have
no
comforter,
either
for
the
oppressed
or
the
oppressors.
There
is
envy
and
idleness.
It
is
better
to
share
life with another than to be alone.
It
is
also
better
to
be
young,
poor
and
wise
than
to
be
an
old
foolish
king.
Advancement
in
itself
is
meaningless.
However,
make
sure
your offerings are more meaningful than that of a fool.
Chapter 5
Reverence is to be observed in all aspects of worship.
The
produce
of
the
earth
is
for
all,
but
not
so
riches,
which
are
meaningless.
They
lead
to
covetousness
and
evil,
and
cannot
be
taken to the grave. We should be thankful and enjoy the blessings of God.
Chapter 6
What
Is
the
value
of
long
life
to
a
man
with
all
his
riches
if
his
soul
cannot
be
satisfied,
and
what
advantage
has
the
wise
man
over
a
fool if he doesn’t know what will satisfy his soul?
Chapter 7
Here
the
writer
quotes
a
series
of
proverbs
in
a
style
remarkably
similar
to
Solomon’s
Proverbs.
They
conclude
with
the
observation
that man was good as God created him; his problems are of his own making.
Chapter 8
Wisdom
encourages
a
spirit
of
obedience.
Despite
the
fact
that
the
ungodly
sometimes
seem
to
have
advantage
in
life,
it
will
be
well
for
those
who
fear
God.
Man
should
enjoy
the
time
God
has
given
him.
The
writer
set
his
heart
to
know
wisdom,
but
God
has
concealed
the answer to life’s mysteries.
Chapter 9
The
righteous
are
in
God’s
hands,
but
for
everyone,
good
and
bad,
death
is
inevitable.
The
righteous
should
enjoy
the
time
God
has
given them, all the while living to His glory, for there is no knowing how long a person has on this earth.
Wisdom is greater than power, yet is not always recognised as one sinner can destroy much good.
Chapter 10:1–11:6
A collection of proverbs on wisdom and folly.
Chapter 11:7–12:7
Old
age,
with
its
problems,
and
death,
will
eventually
come.
So
rejoice
in
your
youth,
all
the
while
remembering
God
and
walking
blamelessly, for God will be your judge.
Chapter 12:8–14
This
is
the
conclusion:
Let
wisdom
be
your
guard.
Wisdom
is
to
fear
God
and
keep
his
commandments,
for
God
will
judge
everything,
good and evil.
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