OT Survey IIOT Survey II

EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

TitleTitle

The English title, “Ecclesiastes,” The English title, “Ecclesiastes,” comes from the Latin and Greek comes from the Latin and Greek titles for the book.titles for the book.

The Hebrew title is “Qoholeth,” which The Hebrew title is “Qoholeth,” which means “one who calls or assembles” means “one who calls or assembles” the people. This was part of the people. This was part of Solomon’s role as a sage.Solomon’s role as a sage.

Authorship and DateAuthorship and Date

Though the author never identifies himself by name, Though the author never identifies himself by name, he does say that he was “son of David, king in he does say that he was “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1), and “king over Israel in Jerusalem” Jerusalem” (1:1), and “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12).(1:12).

The wisdom, wealth, and great building projects The wisdom, wealth, and great building projects described in Ecclesiastes match well with Solomon’s described in Ecclesiastes match well with Solomon’s life as described in 1 Kings 2 – 11. His role as one life as described in 1 Kings 2 – 11. His role as one who “taught the people knowledge” and wrote “many who “taught the people knowledge” and wrote “many proverbs” (12:9) also points to Solomon.proverbs” (12:9) also points to Solomon.

It appears that Solomon:It appears that Solomon: wrote the Song of Songs in the earlier part of his reign, wrote the Song of Songs in the earlier part of his reign, wrote and collected the wisdom sayings of Proverbs wrote and collected the wisdom sayings of Proverbs

throughout his reign, throughout his reign, then wrote Ecclesiastes in his later years, no later than 931 then wrote Ecclesiastes in his later years, no later than 931

B.C.B.C.

Differing Approaches to the Differing Approaches to the BookBook

Solomon is a cynical pessimist. He is assuming a Solomon is a cynical pessimist. He is assuming a secular (or unbelieving) stance and looking at life secular (or unbelieving) stance and looking at life apart from any acknowledgment of God. (This is apart from any acknowledgment of God. (This is Benware’s position).Benware’s position).

Solomon is a hedonist! This perspective focuses Solomon is a hedonist! This perspective focuses on the “enjoy life” commands that conclude on the “enjoy life” commands that conclude major sections of the book (2:24-25; 3:12-13, 22; major sections of the book (2:24-25; 3:12-13, 22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:8-9).5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:8-9).

Solomon is a realist, a very Solomon is a realist, a very biblicalbiblical realist. He is realist. He is looking at life “under the sun” (i.e. that which he looking at life “under the sun” (i.e. that which he can observe by sight) in light of the creation can observe by sight) in light of the creation being “subjected to futility” (Rom 8:20; Gen 3:14-being “subjected to futility” (Rom 8:20; Gen 3:14-19) and offering his conclusions on how to deal 19) and offering his conclusions on how to deal with life accordingly.with life accordingly.

StructureStructure TitleTitle (1:1)(1:1) Poem – A life of activity that appears Poem – A life of activity that appears

wearisomewearisome (1:2-11)(1:2-11) Solomon’s Investigation and Conclusions Solomon’s Investigation and Conclusions

Regarding Man’s ActivityRegarding Man’s Activity Solomon’s InvestigationSolomon’s Investigation (1:12 – 6:9)(1:12 – 6:9)

Introduction: The king and his Introduction: The king and his investigation investigation

(1:12-18)(1:12-18) Investigation of Pleasure-SeekingInvestigation of Pleasure-Seeking (2:1-11)(2:1-11) Investigation of Wisdom and FollyInvestigation of Wisdom and Folly (2:12-17)(2:12-17) Investigation of Labor and RewardsInvestigation of Labor and Rewards

One has to leave them to anotherOne has to leave them to another (2:18-26)(2:18-26) One cannot find the right time to actOne cannot find the right time to act (3:1 – 4:6)(3:1 – 4:6) One often must work alongOne often must work along (4:7-16)(4:7-16) One can easily lose all he acquiresOne can easily lose all he acquires (5:1 – 6:9)(5:1 – 6:9)

StructureStructure Solomon’s ConclusionsSolomon’s Conclusions (6:10 – 11:6)(6:10 – 11:6) Introduction: The Problem of Not Introduction: The Problem of Not

Knowing Knowing (6:10-12)(6:10-12) Man cannot always find out which route is the most successful for him Man cannot always find out which route is the most successful for him

to take because his wisdom is limitedto take because his wisdom is limited On prosperity and adversity On prosperity and adversity (7:1-14)(7:1-14) On justice and wickednessOn justice and wickedness (7:15-24)(7:15-24) Investigation of Wisdom and FollyInvestigation of Wisdom and Folly (7:25-29)(7:25-29) On the wise man and the kingOn the wise man and the king (8:1-17)(8:1-17)

Man does not know what will come after himMan does not know what will come after him He knows he will dieHe knows he will die (9:1-3)(9:1-3) He has no knowledge in the graveHe has no knowledge in the grave (9:5-10)(9:5-10) He does not know his time of deathHe does not know his time of death (9:11-12)(9:11-12) He does not know what will happenHe does not know what will happen (9:13 – 10:15)(9:13 – 10:15) He does not know what evil will comeHe does not know what evil will come (10:16 – 11:2)(10:16 – 11:2) He does not know what good will comeHe does not know what good will come (11:3-6)(11:3-6)

Man should enjoy life but not sin because Man should enjoy life but not sin because judgment will come to all judgment will come to all (11:7 – 12:8)(11:7 – 12:8)

EpilogueEpilogue (12:9-14)(12:9-14) The end of the investigation, when one has come to realize the The end of the investigation, when one has come to realize the effects of the curse, and the limitations of wisdom: “Fear God and effects of the curse, and the limitations of wisdom: “Fear God and keep His commandments.”keep His commandments.”

StructureStructureTitle - author in 3Title - author in 3rdrd person (1:1) person (1:1)

a Poem about the brevity & insignificance of a Poem about the brevity & insignificance of life (1:2-11)life (1:2-11)

b Wisdom’s failure to discover life’s meaning (1:12-b Wisdom’s failure to discover life’s meaning (1:12-2:26)2:26)

c Poem about time (3:1-15)c Poem about time (3:1-15)

d CENTER: Fear God!d CENTER: Fear God! Learn how to understand the Learn how to understand the world’s moral perplexities and enjoy life despite them world’s moral perplexities and enjoy life despite them (3:16-6:12)(3:16-6:12)

c’ Poem about time revisited (7:1-14)c’ Poem about time revisited (7:1-14)

b’ Wisdom’s failure revisited – practical advice in b’ Wisdom’s failure revisited – practical advice in light of wisdom’s failure to explain life’s meaning or light of wisdom’s failure to explain life’s meaning or its perplexities; guide your life by wisdom, despite its perplexities; guide your life by wisdom, despite its shortcomings (7:15-10:19).its shortcomings (7:15-10:19).

a’ Poem about life’s brevity revisited (10:20-a’ Poem about life’s brevity revisited (10:20-12:8)12:8)Conclusion – author in 3Conclusion – author in 3rdrd person (12:9-14) - person (12:9-14) -

Fear God!Fear God!

Major ThemesMajor Themes

Futility of Life; “all is vanity,” “striving after wind”Futility of Life; “all is vanity,” “striving after wind” ““under the sun”under the sun” ““fear God” (3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12-13; 12:13)fear God” (3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12-13; 12:13) Life’s inequities Life’s inequities

frustrating nature of workfrustrating nature of work uselessness of pleasure uselessness of pleasure uncorrected injusticeuncorrected injustice the “unknowableness” of lifethe “unknowableness” of life

SatisfactionSatisfaction Enjoyment and JudgmentEnjoyment and Judgment DeathDeath Wisdom (especially its limitations)Wisdom (especially its limitations) God’s SovereigntyGod’s Sovereignty

Solomon’s Conclusions on Solomon’s Conclusions on How to Deal with LifeHow to Deal with Life

1:12 – 2:26: Don’t look for the 1:12 – 2:26: Don’t look for the answeranswer to life in pleasure. to life in pleasure. If you make pleasure your goal in life, you will be disappointed. Joy is If you make pleasure your goal in life, you will be disappointed. Joy is

important, but you must be willing to wait for God to give it (2:24-26). important, but you must be willing to wait for God to give it (2:24-26). Receive it from the hand of God.Receive it from the hand of God.

3:1-15: Don’t expect to know the future.3:1-15: Don’t expect to know the future. God has put a sense of both history and the future into the heart of God has put a sense of both history and the future into the heart of

every man. Rest in the fact that though God has appointed a time for every man. Rest in the fact that though God has appointed a time for everything, you cannot know what will come.everything, you cannot know what will come.

3:16-22; 8:10-15: Don’t expect fairness in this life.3:16-22; 8:10-15: Don’t expect fairness in this life. Fairness does not characterize this life; you can’t fix everything. Enjoy Fairness does not characterize this life; you can’t fix everything. Enjoy

life in spite of its difficulties.life in spite of its difficulties. 5:10-19: Don’t try to find satisfaction in wealth or in what wealth 5:10-19: Don’t try to find satisfaction in wealth or in what wealth

can accomplish.can accomplish. There is nothing wrong with wealth; it, too, is a gift from God. But it is There is nothing wrong with wealth; it, too, is a gift from God. But it is

wrong to make wealth the ultimate goal. Solomon addresses the wrong to make wealth the ultimate goal. Solomon addresses the impact that our possessions have on us, the danger of materialism.impact that our possessions have on us, the danger of materialism.

9:1-10: Don’t expect enjoyment at all times.9:1-10: Don’t expect enjoyment at all times. You don’t know what is going to happen. There will certainly be times You don’t know what is going to happen. There will certainly be times

when you will not enjoy life; nevertheless, enjoy life!when you will not enjoy life; nevertheless, enjoy life! Summary: Enjoy life because your satisfaction comes from the Summary: Enjoy life because your satisfaction comes from the

hand of God in a sin cursed world.hand of God in a sin cursed world.

Solomon’s Balance of Solomon’s Balance of Enjoyment with JudgmentEnjoyment with Judgment

Solomon is very concerned about the Solomon is very concerned about the outcomeoutcome of of all his activity (1:3; 2:22; 3:9).all his activity (1:3; 2:22; 3:9).

God rewards obedience, God punishes God rewards obedience, God punishes disobedience. This is the way God has designed disobedience. This is the way God has designed the universe. . . but what about Job? the universe. . . but what about Job? The apparent exceptions to this rule are by God’s The apparent exceptions to this rule are by God’s

sovereign will.sovereign will. Believe that God has appointed a time in which to Believe that God has appointed a time in which to

judge you (3:17).judge you (3:17). It is appropriate to keep in mind, “I will have to stand It is appropriate to keep in mind, “I will have to stand

before God and give an account.”before God and give an account.” Don’t let the delayed nature of judgment serve as Don’t let the delayed nature of judgment serve as

an excuse to disobey (8:11-12).an excuse to disobey (8:11-12). Control the root of disobedience within you with Control the root of disobedience within you with

the thought of judgment.the thought of judgment. Let the certainty of future judgment balance your Let the certainty of future judgment balance your

enjoyment of life (11:9).enjoyment of life (11:9).

A Quote from George A Quote from George CastellinoCastellino

““Therefore: (a) set aside all anxious Therefore: (a) set aside all anxious striving and labor; (b) avoid all striving and labor; (b) avoid all speculations on God’s ruling of the world; speculations on God’s ruling of the world; and (c) be thankful to God for whatever and (c) be thankful to God for whatever satisfaction he gives you, valuing and satisfaction he gives you, valuing and measuring everything as a gift from him measuring everything as a gift from him and enjoying it, never forgetting that you and enjoying it, never forgetting that you shall have to render strict account to God shall have to render strict account to God Himself” (as quoted in Zuck, Himself” (as quoted in Zuck, A Biblical A Biblical Theology of the Old TestamentTheology of the Old Testament, p. 251)., p. 251).

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement

In light of his investigation and conclusions In light of his investigation and conclusions on the profit of man’s labor, Solomon on the profit of man’s labor, Solomon exhorts the young people of his kingdom exhorts the young people of his kingdom (without omitting others) to enjoy life, but (without omitting others) to enjoy life, but know that judgment is coming.know that judgment is coming.

What is the difference between the book What is the difference between the book of Proverbs and the books of Job and of Proverbs and the books of Job and Ecclesiastes with regard to the principle of Ecclesiastes with regard to the principle of God’s retribution?God’s retribution? Proverbs deals with God’s retribution in light of Proverbs deals with God’s retribution in light of

its consistency; Job and Ecclesiastes look at its consistency; Job and Ecclesiastes look at instances where immediate outcomes are not instances where immediate outcomes are not what one might expect.what one might expect.

Next Time: Next Time: Overview of the Prophets Overview of the Prophets

Matt NealMatt Neal