The Study of Ecclesiastes

Today, we continue our journey through the Bible with today’s study of Ecclesiastes. May God show us what He wants us to learn?

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

As we study the Bible alone or in a group setting, there are several questions we can ask ourselves to help us dig deeper. The five questions are:

What does the scripture say about God
Then what does the scripture say about me
Does something in this passage challenge me
What gives me hope in this passage
Is anything unclear to me

I hope these questions help you as much as they help me.

Ecclesiastes

Author: Solomon.
Audience: Solomon’s subjects and Israelites.
Date Written: Probably around 935 B.C., late in Solomon’s life.
Length: 12 Chapters.
Keywords: Vanity and Under the sun.
Key Verses: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (12:13).
Key People: Nameless person calling themselves teacher.

Summary of Ecclesiastes:

The author of Ecclesiastes puts his powers of wisdom to work to examine the human experience and assess the human situation. The author limits his perspective to what happens “under the sun” and every human endeavor is vanity. Ecclesiastes presents us a naturalistic vision of life—one that sees life through distinctively human eyes—but ultimately recognizes the rule and reign of God in the world. The best summary is that we should fear God and keep His commandments.

The book also contains some very accurate scientific information like evaporation and storm currents (Chapter 1:6-7). And we also find another example through the poetic description of the body, with examples like the silver cord representing the spinal column.

Sections of the Book:

The book of Ecclesiastical contains nine significant themes, which are:

All life is vanity.
Author’s personal experience of vanity.
The movement of time.
Toil and Work.
Wisdom and its advantages.
Good versus evil.
Wisdom versus folly.
Looking to the future.
Conclusion.

Messages in Ecclesiastes:

Through Ecclesiastes, we see the message that however difficult things may be because of the sin in the garden and the curse upon humanity as we live in this fallen world, there is purpose and grace for all. There is lasting hope and a satisfying life as we walk with God.

And we also see the foreshadowing message that Christ did not come into this world to give us an easier life. Our lives become more abundant when we live for Him. There is no vanity in a life dedicated to Christ. Christ is the source of all wisdom and without Him, then all life is truly futile.

Final thoughts:

And like so many other books in the Bible, we see God’s character on display in this book. They are:

Long-suffering.
Powerful.

All Lessons from the Bible

Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn and historical information. We must study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.

“14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17;

Prayer

Please grant me the understanding and knowledge of You and Your word. As I open my Bible to read the scriptures, it gives me wisdom and discernment. And even as I sit and listen to the pastor, preacher or apostle reveal what Your Holy Book is speaking into my life, help me see and understand. Help me know Jesus Christ and how He lived His life so I can follow in His precious footsteps.

Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/