Ecclesiastes is one of the most thought-provoking books in the Bible. Written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, it records his search for meaning "under the sun"—life from a purely earthly perspective.
"Vanity of Vanities"
The book opens with a startling declaration:
"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." — Ecclesiastes 1:2
The Hebrew word "hebel" (vanity) means breath, vapor, or something fleeting. Solomon isn't saying life is meaningless, but that pursuing meaning apart from God is like grasping at the wind.
Solomon's Experiment
Having unlimited resources, Solomon tested every avenue that people typically pursue for fulfillment:
Wisdom and Knowledge (1:12-18)
"For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Human wisdom alone cannot answer life's ultimate questions.
Pleasure and Entertainment (2:1-11)
"I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?"
Solomon pursued every pleasure imaginable but found them ultimately unsatisfying.
Work and Achievement (2:18-23)
"For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?"
Even great accomplishments cannot provide lasting meaning.
Wealth and Possessions (5:10-17)
"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase."
Money promises much but delivers little in terms of true satisfaction.
The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes
Despite the seemingly pessimistic tone, Ecclesiastes offers profound wisdom:
Embrace the Present
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Life has rhythms and seasons. We should accept them rather than fight against them.
Enjoy Simple Pleasures
"There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." — Ecclesiastes 2:24
Simple daily pleasures are gifts from God to be received with gratitude.
Value Relationships
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour." — Ecclesiastes 4:9
Human connection and companionship are precious gifts.
Accept Life's Limitations
"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." — Ecclesiastes 3:11
We have eternity in our hearts but finite understanding. This tension is part of our human experience.
The Conclusion of the Matter
After all his searching, Solomon arrives at the book's most important conclusion:
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." — Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
What This Means
- Fear God — Revere Him, acknowledge His sovereignty, and live in awe of His majesty
- Keep His commandments — Obedience flows from a heart that fears God
- Remember the judgment — Our lives have eternal significance
Applying Ecclesiastes Today
- Don't seek ultimate fulfillment in earthly pursuits
- Receive each day's blessings as gifts from God
- Invest in relationships and community
- Live with eternity in view
- Center your life on fearing and obeying God
Ecclesiastes reminds us that life "under the sun" without God truly is vanity. But life lived in reverent relationship with our Creator has profound meaning and purpose.