Ecclesiastes 1 - 3

To read  Ecclesiastes 1-3, please click HERE.

The title of the book 'Ecclesiastes' is a phonetic transliteration of the Greek word Ἐκκλησιαστής ('Ekklesiastes'), which in the Septuagint translates the Hebrew name of its stated author, Kohelet (קֹהֶלֶת‎). While most scholars believe the author to be King Solomon, some have questioned it.  However, the word 'Kohelet' simply means "teacher of the assembly." Solomon is the Teacher of the assembly of Israel, and through these insightful writings he shares his most deepest thoughts, concerns, frustrations, and revelations about life. 

As we begin to read this fascinating book, Solomon quickly confesses how he feels about life, especially having experienced the power, wealth, fame, and the fulfillment of all his earthly desires - both pleasures and pursuits. It's amazing to see how he captures the reader with an unexpected opening - "Everything is meaningless."  From that statement, he launches into the reasoning behind this opening comment and brings ALL of us to attention about the veritable truths of life that we don't really like to think about.

Here's his message in the first 3 chapters:

1.  Life can seem meaningless!  

Like a hamster on a wheel, Solomon takes a moment to reflect on life and sees everything much like a hamster running anxiously on a spinning wheel but literally getting nowhere.  He asks the hard question - "What do people get for all their hard work? Generations come and go, but nothing really changes." Then he takes a view at the earth and sees that for the most part it, too, is a repeat of yesterday and has been the same for thousands of years. And regardless of what we see on earth or even experience on earth, we are never truly satisfied.  

Many people think that power, wealth, and fame are kinds of goals that could ultimately make us happy and fulfilled. But after having it all and experienced it all, Solomon says in 1:8 - "Everything is so weary and tiresome." That's because the things of this world only have a temporary effect on us.  We know that money doesn't make people happy. In fact, many millionaires have come to hate their wealth. Power, wealth, and fame are the delusions of Satan. They are like a mirage in the desert. The have the appearance of utopia, but in the end they leave people who have achieved them wanting more. 

2. Seeking power, fame, and wealth is like chasing the wind.  

Beginning in 1:12, Solomon sets the stage for proving that he is in the best position to teach on the subject of life.  He begins to tell the reader that he's attained so many things, such as...

- Possessed greater wisdom and knowledge than anyone in the world.

- Enjoyed phenomenal parties.

- Enjoyed the best wine and food money could buy.

- Engaged in mind-blowing building projects, bought untold thousands of acres and planted great vineyards, owned innumerable amounts of livestock and herds of animals too numerous to count.

- Blessed with riches of silver and gold beyond anyone else on earth.

- And enjoyed thousands of beautiful women that were at his beck and call who cheerfully gave him whatever he asked for.

Even after all of that, he says he "hated life."  Why?

3. None of it lasts long and must be given to another eventually.

As you carefully read through the second half of chapter 2, Solomon explains why he's come to a place where he hates life.

- In spite of all his power, wealth, and fame - he still must die like a poor man.  He says the poor man and the rich man die the same, go into the ground, and are eventually forgotten. And, you can't take any of your earnings with you!

4. God's plan and purpose for each of us can NOT be changed!

In 3:14, Solomon recognizes that regardless of how powerful a position may be (especially as a king), that God is ultimately in control and His purpose will always prevail.  While many kings (such as King Nebuchadnezzar and many Egyptian pharaohs) thought of themselves as gods, in the end they had no real power beyond their own personal strength. 

Listen, if God has blessed you, make sure you give Him the glory!  He allowed things to happen for a special reason. Not because you're special, but that His plan and purpose in your life (whether good or bad) had a special place in time and space - no more no less.

Solomon realized the justice system was corrupt, and that he was powerless to change it. He saw sinful people being blessed by God with no rhyme nor reason to it. He noticed that many of life's events just didn't make sense, yet with all of his wisdom, power and wealth he was unable to fix it.

5.  Solomon sees the Beauty in Life!

In 3:11, Solomon sees how beautiful God's timing is.  He sees how beautiful it is to enjoy a job and food on the table.  And, he confesses that the best we can do in life is simply to enjoy it to the best of our ability (3:22)

Are you enjoying the simple pleasures in life and recognizing they are from the hand of God?  If not, you're missing life's point.  And if so, you're life will find fulfillment and happiness in the little things.