Grace Institute: The Writings : Ecclesiastes Part 2

Ecclesiastes Survey of the Old Testament: The Writings Fall 2006

Structure of Ecclesiastes

The structure of Ecclesiastes revolves around the purpose of the book. Solomon has set out to explore all aspects of life in his attempt to discover meaning. Each section of the book explores a different avenue by which humanity has sought out purpose to life.

Finally, after exhausting his search, the seeker makes his conclusion, beginning in 11:9.

Vanity of Hedonism (Chapter 2)

Solomon's Description

• Humor (vs. 2)
• Wine (vs. 3)
• Materialism (vs. 4-9)
• Sexual Pleasure (vs. 8)

The Modern Philosophy of Hedonism

• Live life to the fullest.
• The one who dies with the most toys wins
• Sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll

Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the Dust descend (Omar Khayyam) [1]

Solomon's Conclusion

(Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 NASB) And all that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. (11) Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

Oh, how desperately bored, in spite of their grim determination to have a Good Time, the majority of pleasure-seekers really are! (Aldous Huxley) [2]

Vanity of Fatalism (Chapter 3)

Solomon's Description

• Life has a consistent order (vs. 2-11)
• We should just accept this order & eat drink and be merry (vs. 12-13)
• Life is predetermined (fatalism) (vs. 14-21)

The Modern Philosophy of Fatalism

• "Such is life"
• "S___ happens"
• "Let's just make the best of it."
• “The Circle of Life,” from Disney's Lion King.
• “What has happened before will happen again.” (the Oracle in the movie The Matrix ).
• Or in the words of that great philosopher, Doris Day, "Ce Sera, Sera"

Solomon's Conclusion

(Ecclesiastes 3:11 NASB) He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

Life may seem to just go around and around in circles, following the same path over and over. And yet God has put a sense of eternity into the hearts of men, so that it seems there ought to be something more than just the endless cycles of life.

(Ecclesiastes 3:22 NASB) And I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

Vanity of Capitalism (Chapter 4)

Solomon's Description

• Oppression of the poor (vs. 1-3)
• Workaholics (vs. 4-12)
• Climbing the corporate ladder (vs. 13-16)

The Modern Philosophy of Capitalism

Greed is all right, by the way . . . I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself. (Ivan F. Boesky)

The point is that you can't be too greedy. (Donald Trump)

Solomon's Conclusion

(Ecclesiastes 4:3 NASB) But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

(Ecclesiastes 4:7 NASB) Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

(Ecclesiastes 4:16 NASB) There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.

Vanity of Religion (Chapter 5)

Solomon's Description

• Live the righteous lifestyle (vs. 1-7)

Solomon's Conclusion

• Religion brings oppression (vs. 8)
• Eat, drink & be merry (vs. 18)

(Ecclesiastes 9:2 NASB) It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean, and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear.

Vanity of Materialism (Chapter 6)

Solomon's Description

• A man lacks nothing (vs. 2)
• Has abundant children (vs. 3)

Solomon's Conclusion

Life is too short to enjoy all your riches.

(Ecclesiastes 6:6-7 NASB) "Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not enjoy good things-- do not all go to one place?" (7) All a man's labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied.

Vanity of Stoicism (Chapter 7)

Solomon's Description

• Be solemn (vs. 2-3)
• Be patient & balanced (vs. 8-9)
• Do not be excessively righteous or wicked (vs. 15-17)

The Modern Philosophy of Stoicism

• All things in Moderation
• Balance. Avoid the peaks and valleys.
• Don't rock the boat.

Solomon's Conclusion

(Ecclesiastes 7:15 NASB) I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

Vanity of Worldly Wisdom (Chapters 8-11)

Get Involved in Politics (Chapter 8-9)

Philosophy Stated

• Obey the king (vs. 2)
• Be loyal to him (vs. 3-4)
• The King will bring about justice (vs. 5-6)

Conclusion

• Government's authority is limited (vs. 8-9)
• Government can not restrain evil (vs. 10-12)
• Therefore, eat, drink, and be merry (vs. 15)

Live a life of discretion (Chapter 9-10)

Philosophy Stated

• Wisdom is better than strength (vs. 9:16 )
• Wisdom directs to the right path (vs. 10:2-3)

Conclusion

(Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 NASB) There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler-- (6) folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. (7) I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Live a life of hard work (Chapter 11)

(Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB) Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

Footnotes

1. Omar Khayyám (11–12th century), Persian astronomer and poet. The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, st. 23 (tr. by Edward FitzGerald; first ed., 1859
2. ( Aldous Huxley) (1894–1963), British author. Do What You Will, “Holy Face” (1929)

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