The name “Ecclesiastes” comes to us from the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) and means “preacher” (see NASV). The noun comes from a verbal form of the word “to assemble.” We’re not sure what the author meant when he referred to himself as the “preacher.” Clearly, it is not with the meaning that we find in the New Testament and in modern Christianity.
Observe how the author identifies himself. In 1:1, he says, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” That self-description narrows down the list to a couple of dozen men. Yet, when we study the book itself, especially chapter 2, we see that there is no “son of David, king in Jerusalem” who fits better than King Solomon.
The pursuit of wisdom fits the gift given Solomon by God, recorded in 1 Kings 3. Additionally, the extended list of building pursuits recorded in Ecclesiastes 3 fit Solomon’s desires and plans as recorded in 1 Kings 5-10. It is popular among “scholars” to reject Solomon’s authorship but it is humorous to hear them admit that the author is, however, a “Solomon-like” figure.
Solomon provides the theme of the book in the second verse: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This word can mean “vain, empty, futile.” To repeat the word, as Solomon does here, is a Hebrew way of expressing the superlative: “the most empty of emptiness.” See Song of Solomon 1:1 where he does the same thing: the “song of songs.”
So, Solomon says, “All is empty. Futile. Worthless.” Seriously? Some have suggested that Ecclesiastes is too pessimistic to be a work of faith. Here is an exercise for you. Read through this book (it should take less than 20 minutes) and underline these three phrases: “under the sun,” “under heaven,” and “striving after wind.”
If you were to take God out of the picture or if you simply look at life from the perspective of heaven, this life is not very important or significant. Allow me to elaborate.
If there is no God or if you live your life as if there is no God, then “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die,” as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:32. Yes, life is a cycle and it ends nowhere. Live the way you desire. Pursue what you want to pursue. Do what makes you feel good. If there is no God, there are no moral laws and you are free to steal, kill, rape, pillage, extort, cheat, lie, etc. Because life is going nowhere anyway. (I’m thankful that most atheists live above their moral “foundation.”)
On the other hand, since there is a God and He has designed a new heaven and earth that puts this one to shame, this life is ultimately of little significance. It is significant in that we show God here and now that we love Him supremely and we serve our fellow man sacrificially. This is the time and place to prove to God that we want to be in heaven with Him. Early in the book, Solomon warns his audience that there is a judgment coming (3:17) and therefore, we need to fear God (5:7).
But, because the life to come is so much quantitatively better and superior to this life (so much so that we will not even remember at least the bad things that will happen in this life), this life does not hold much importance, much significance for the Christian.
As we study Ecclesiastes together, we’ll consider what Solomon has to say about the “meaning of life.” What it does not consist of and what it does consist of. Eventually, we’ll end up in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Paul Holland