Ecclesiastes — Introduction & Outline

The author refers to himself as Qoheleth which means "preacher" or "one who addresses an assembly." Though some have thought this a proper name, it is more easily seen as a title for Solomon. He also calls himself "a son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1) and claims to be the wisest in Jerusalem (1:16), a fit description of Solomon (1 Kings 4:29-30). Certainly these claims would have been rejected by the Jews if made by an impostor, but Talmudic tradition proves the opposite. Further, the experiences of the Preacher (2:1-10) are undeniably parallel to Solomon's during his reign. Also, he is a reputed teacher of wisdom (12:9; 1 Kings 4:32), so not surprisingly, the proverbs of chapters 7 and 10 are remarkably similar to those in the book of Proverbs, largely his work.

Still, some object to Solomonic authorship. The chief reason is the claim that the language is that of post-exilic Hebrew. However, studies have shown that the language of Ecclesiastes is unique among Hebrew compositions, and even so, finds many similarities to literature of the Solomonic era. Another objection is based on the verb "was" which implies the author was a deposed king (1:12), but the verb can also be understood in the sense of "I have been [and still am] king." Furthermore, it is said that the author was one of many Israelite kings (1:16), but Solomon was only the third king. But the mention of other rulers could easily refer to preceding Gentile rulers. The fact remains that there is no conclusive or persuasive evidence that Solomon did not write the book.

Since the book gives Solomon's retrospective view of his life, it was likely written near the end of his reign. Since his reign extended from about 970 to 930 B.C., it was probably written about 935 B.C.

The book is focused in Jerusalem (1:2,12,16), the seat of Solomon's government and the center of worship. The Solomonic era was characterized by peace, prosperity, and harmonious international relationships. Also, the construction of the temple by Solomon brought unity to Israel's worship. Ecclesiastes reflects the latter part of Solomon's reign, that is, after the restoration from his escapade into immorality and idolatry (1 Kings 11:7-13).

The purpose is drawn from understanding Solomon's perspective. He writes as one "under the sun" (used 29 times), or from a finite earthly standpoint. From this perspective, all is "vanity" (used 37 times), or meaningless and futile. Thus he is a realist who grapples with the perplexity of life. From his conclusion (12:9-14) it is clear that his solution to finding satisfaction in life is to look beyond this world to God, who is the only key to meaning and significance in this "life under the sun." Thus Ecclesiastes was written to direct people to faith in God which allows enjoyment of life, and to the fear of God which causes one to live in light of future judgment.

The book is loosely organized around the theme of "vanity", which is presented at the beginning. Solomon first argues to demonstrate the theme, then he draws deductions from the theme which are conveyed as wise advice for this life.

The theme is declared in an introductory section (1:1-11). After stating that "all is vanity" (1:2), he offers support for the declaration (1:3-11). From the perspective of this life all seems meaningless because there is no ultimate profit in a man's labor (1:3). Each generation must pick up where the other leaves off, always eluded by satisfaction with their accomplishments (1:4-8). Man is caught up in a cycle that repeats what has already been done (1:9-11).

Solomon now demonstrates the truth of his declaration from his own experiences, God's sovereignty, man's labor in life, and life's inscrutability (1:12-6:12). His own experiences brought no satisfaction and showed life is futile (1:12-2:26). Despite great attainments (1:12- 18), fleshly pleasures (2:1-11), great wisdom (2:12-17), and hard work (2:18-26) he found no pleasure. Yet, he understands that man can enjoy life as a gift from God in spite of an apparently meaningless existence (2:24-26).

Another reality that makes life futile is God's preordained plan (3:1-4:3). He has a plan for everything (3:1-8), but since that plan is unknowable, Solomon advises man to enjoy life (3:9-15). God's plan also includes the injustice seen in the world (3:16-4:3). In His plan it will be judged (3:16-17), but it exists for now to show man his mortality (3:18-21). Man has only one viable option in the midst of injustice, that is to enjoy life and leave judgment to God (3:17,22).

There is also futility that accompanies hard work (4:4-6:9). It is futile when done for selfish purposes (4:4-16). Furthermore, it's fruits are easily lost by various circumstances (5:1- 17). Thus, the Preacher concludes that the enjoyment of life under such futility is a gift from God (5:18-20). The man who is not enabled to enjoy the fruits of his labor is a tragedy (6:1-9). His conclusion to the demonstration of the theme recognizes the inscrutability of life which makes it impossible for man to surmise what is good for him (6:10-12).

The author now turns to deductions from his theme of futility (7:1-12:8). Since God's ways are unknowable and life is futile, then adversity and prosperity should be taken in stride (7:1-14). One should also live in balance avoiding excessive behavior (7:15-29). Divine retribution, though certain, is an enigma (8:1-17) hard to discern or predict, thus one should submit to earthly kings to avoid trouble (8:1-9). Its seeming inconsistency in this life should lead one to enjoy life with the confidence that God is in control (8:10-17).

Man's knowledge is so limited in this life "under the sun" that he should enjoy life now while he can (9:1-11:6). Death is full of uncertainties and misfortune is unpredictable (9:1- 12). Furthermore, wisdom should be the guiding principle of life if it is to be fully satisfying (9:13-11:6). Solomon gives advice for wise conduct since he regards it as the only way to live in the face of life's uncertainty (11:1-6). His summary advice is to enjoy life while youth permits before old age, which advances judgment, weakens and kills (11:7-12:8).

The book ends with Solomon's grand conclusion to the development of his theme (12:9-14). He first calls attention to the importance of his words (12:9-12) which serves to emphasize his final conclusion (12:13-14). He concludes that in this life one should "Fear God and keep His commandments" since future judgment is certain. This expression of faith in God is the only way to face the perplexities of life and enjoy it, because ultimately God holds the key to life's puzzle.

1. The Declaration of the Theme 1:1-11

   1. The title 1:1
   2. The theme: All is futility 1:2
   3. The support for the theme 1:3-11

      1. There is no profit in labor. 1:3
      2. The reasons why labor is profitless 1:4-11
      1. Everything starts over again. 1:4-7
      1. Generations come and go. 1:4
      2. Nature's patterns are cyclical. 1:5-7
      2. Man is never satisfied with work completed. 1:8
      3. There are no new contributions from labor. 1:9-11
2. The Demonstration of the Theme 1:12-6:12

   1. The preacher's experiences prove Life is futile. 1:12-2:26

      1. The futility of human efforts and attainments 1:12-18

         1. Human effort can not bring about change. 1:12-15
         2. Attainment of wisdom is futile. 1:16-18
      2. The futility of fleshly pleasures 2:1-11

         1. Pleasure and mirth are useless. 2:1-2
         2. The preacher tried all kinds of pleasures. 2:3-8
         3. His supreme self indulgence was futile. 2:9-11
      3. The futility and limitations of attaining wisdom 2:12-17
      4. The futility of labor 2:18-26

         1. One does not know who inherits the results. 2:18-21
         2. It causes grief and anxiety in life. 2:22-23
         3. The enjoyment of labor is a gift from God. 2:24-26
   2. God's preordained plan makes life futile. 3:1-4:3

      1. God has a plan for everything in life. 3:1-8
      2. Since God's plan is unknowable, man should enjoy life. 3:9-15
      3. God's plan includes the futility of injustice. 3:16-4:3

         1. Injustice will be judged. 3:16-17
         2. Injustice is allowed to show man's mortality. 3:18-21
         3. Man should enjoy life in the midst of injustice. 3:22
         4. Without enjoyment of life, man is better off dead. 4:1-3
   3. Hard work in life is futile. 4:4-6:9

      1. Hard work done selfishly is futile. 4:4-16

         1. The futility of selfish toil with envy 4:4-6
         2. The futility of toil when not shared with another 4:7-12
         1. The folly of the lonely laborer 4:7-8
         2. The benefit of a companion 4:9-12
         3. The futility of hard-won power with a leader 4:13-16
      2. The futility of losing the fruits of hard work 5:1-17

         1. Loss from a rash vow 5:1-7
         1. The prudence of few words 5:1-3
         2. The loss in not paying a vow 5:4-7
         2. Loss from governmental injustice 5:8-9
         3. Loss of satisfaction with riches 5:10-12
         4. Loss from misfortune 5:13-17
      3. The enjoyment of life in view of futility 5:18-6:12

         1. The enjoyment of the fruits of hard work 5:18-20
         2. God's enablement to enjoy these fruits 6:1-9
         1. The futility of a man unable to enjoy 6:1-2
         2. The plight of a man dissatisfied 6:3-6
         3. The futility for a man dissatisfied 6:7-9
   4. Life is immutable and inscrutably foreordained. 6:10-12
3. The Deductions from the Theme 7:1-12:8

   1. Adversity and prosperity should be taken in stride. 7:1-14

      1. Wisdom in adversity 7:1-10

         1. Wisdom in times of sorrow 7:1-4
         2. Wisdom in listening to others 7:5-7
         3. Wisdom in waiting 7:8-10
      2. The value of wisdom with prosperity 7:11-12
      3. The appointment of prosperity and adversity by God 7:13-14
   2. Avoid extremes in righteousness and wickedness. 7:15-29

      1. The unpredictable end of a righteous life 7:15
      2. The warning against excessive behavior 7:16-18
      3. The assessment of wisdom in behavior 7:19-29

         1. It is needed among sinful men. 7:19-22
         2. It is inaccessible. 7:23-24
         3. It is rare among men. 7:25-29
   3. Divine retribution is an enigma. 8:1-17

      1. Submit to the king to avoid trouble. 8:1-9

         1. Wisdom gives insight in a matter. 8:1
         2. The king is sovereign in judgment. 8:2-5
         3. There is a time of judgment for every matter. 8:6-9
      2. Divine retribution often seems inconsistent. 8:10-17

         1. The wicked will eventually be judged. 8:10-13
         2. Life should be enjoyed even if inconsistent. 8:14-15
         3. God's work is inscrutable. 8:16-17
   4. Man does not know what will happen in life. 9:1-11:6

      1. Man should enjoy life now. 9:1-12

         1. The righteous and the wicked will all die. 9:1-3
         2. After death there is no hope of enjoyment. 9:4-6
         3. Man should enjoy life now while he can. 9:7-10
         4. Misfortune is uncertain. 9:11-12
      2. Wise behavior should be followed in life. 9:13-11:6

         1. Wisdom is effective, though sometimes forgotten. 9:13-18
         2. Wisdom can be undone by folly. 10:1-7
         3. Wisdom is helpful in tasks. 10:8-10
         4. Wisdom chooses what to say. 10:11-20
         1. The folly of a fool's words 10:11-15
         2. Careful criticism of rulers and the rich 10:16-20
         5. Wisdom works diligently in spite of uncertainty. 11:1-6
   5. Life and God should be enjoyed in youth. 11:7-12:8

      1. Man should enjoy life before old age and judgment. 11:7-10
      2. Man should honor God before old age weakens and kills. 12:1-8
4. Conclusion to the Theme 12:9-14

   1. The search for acceptable words 12:9-10
   2. The importance of wise words 12:11-12
   3. The final conclusion to fear and obey God 12:13-14