Analysis of Ecclesiastes Book - Research Paper Example

 rEASEARCH pAPER ON tHE bOOK OF ECCLESIASTES ____________ TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Theme and view point of Ecclesiastes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mans wisdom observed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Human wisdom and Philosophy Materialism and Pleasure Mans Mortality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Difficult passages in Ecclesiastes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Introduction This research paper will examine the book of Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon during a time in his life when he relied on human wisdom and was away from God. The book of Proverbs shows Solomon’s wisdom. However, Ecclesiastes reveals Solomon’s foolishness in relation to the view point of man’s wisdom. Understanding the context in which Solomon wrote the Scripture will ensure proper interpretation of some difficult passages.1 Title and Theme of Ecclesiastes The primary thesis of the book is “everything is meaningless.” The book begins with this statement, “...Everything is meaningless.” What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? “(Ecclesiastes 1:2, 3) The human authorship of the Book has been a topic of debate. Many Scholars have debated if Solomon actually wrote the Book due to the questionable validity of linguistic evidence. However, as the evidence is inconclusive, the traditional view holds that Solomon is the human author. Whatever the case, the Book of Ecclesiastes is the Word of God.2 The ultimate message from the book of Ecclesiastes is to look forward to Christ for wisdom. Man’s Wisdom Observed Solomon used the word “vanity” thirty- eight times in the book of Ecclesiastes.3 The book was written from the view of man observing his meaningless life. Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes under the direction of the Holy Spirit; however, when we study the Book we must keep in mind that we are observing Solomon as he tries to understand his life under the sun. Man is looking for happiness, but finds only a meaningless end -- without Christ everything is meaningless. Ecclesiastes shows how man’s pursuit to eat, drink and find satisfaction in work and pleasure is meaningless without a personal relationship with the Lord. 4 Human Wisdom and Philosophy The theme continues regarding the futile efforts of man and all his endeavors.5 Chapter one begins with poetic conclusions and rhetorical questions concerning man and how he toils, never satisfied or even producing anything that is permanent.6 A parallel could be draw between the observations of man’s hollow wisdom and toiling, in relation to the fall of man. The Lord said to man, “...cursed is the ground because of you ; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.” (Genesis 3:17). The observation of man’s futility continues throughout all of chapter one. The word says, “…Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve. Everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Furthermore, man’s experimenting with pleasure, hollow philosophy and human wisdom are also meaningless. Christians know that philosophy, reason and logic play no role in faith, and true wisdom only comes from God. Materialism and Pleasure In chapter two the observation of man turns to the enjoyment of material possessions and worldly pleasure. Chapter two shows how man spends all of his days storing up treasures on earth only to turn them over to a fool. The Word says, “And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my efforts and skill under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:19) Therefore, we know that trying to obtain material possessions is meaningless. God will provide three gifts to those who obey his Word. God will provide wisdom, knowledge and joy. If man persists in trying to, “remake God’s world, there is also an outcome: “a chasing after the wind.”7 Therefore, Solomon realized that he has no control over anything not even his own personal wealth. God has made us stewards of wealth; God is the provider, not man. The Word says in Deuteronomy 8:18, “But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” Ecclesiastes 2:24, says, “Without Him who can eat to find enjoyment?” The Word is telling us that even the enjoyment of blessings is a gift from God.8 The Word continues to speak about the love of money. Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has money enough.” This reveals man’s hopeless situation without a relationship with Jesus Christ. If a man has a meaningful relationship with Christ, then everything is not meaningless -- he is content with his life. If a man is worried about wealth in this life, his life will be miserable.9 Man’s Mortality We must remember that the Christian life has a different view. The Christian life is in the heavenly places not focused on, “everything under the sun.” The life under the sun is mundane, because it views an eternity without God.10 Without Jesus Christ in someone’s life, death is a dreadful reality. This is why, in a sense, the unbeliever feels they are no better off than the animals: both breathe the same air and can expect the same fate. Therefore, with the unbeliever, the only conclusion is to enjoy this life while they are here. The Book of Ecclesiastes continues, to examine what man will do for enjoyment “under the sun.” Man will turn to his occupation for enjoyment; however, this too will prove to be meaningless.11 The problem here is motive; man is either motivated for financial gain, prestige, or selfish ambition. 12 Therefore, both a believer and an unbeliever will share the same fate. The word fate actually translates to the word happening. Furthermore, no reference is every made concerning luck, or chance. Death, therefore, is one event or one happening that will overtake all. The difference here is that the believer has the reality of Christ and the hope of eternal life. 13 After Solomon observed all of the meaningless “under the sun” and the folly of man chasing after the wind, we hear a conclusion to all the meaningless in the Scriptures. Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Now it has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandment, for this is the whole duty of man.” Therefore, in light of the experiment made “under the sun” we should do as the Scripture concludes -- fear God and worship Him with reverence and awe. Dr J. Vernon McGee said,” My friend, there is no answer to the problem of life “under the sun.” Jesus Christ is the only solution for the problems of life. The Lord Jesus has given His promise to people of any and all ages: “. . . him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). 14 __________________________ 11 Bill Arnold and Brian Beywe, Encountering the Old Testament: (Grand rapids: Baker Books, 1999), 327. 12 John Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament (Wheaton, IL.: Victor Books, 1985), 987. 13 Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament: (Downer Grove: Intra Varsity Press, 1988), 294. 14 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1981), 140. Difficult Passages in Ecclesiastes Throughout history, many distorted interpretations of certain passages from Ecclesiastes have been written. Individuals use the text to support strange philosophical beliefs; even some self-centered cults twist and distort certain passages. When individuals twist the Scriptures it leads to fatalistic views. Dr. J. Vernon McGee is quoted as saying people, “talk about God’s will as primary, but with this viewpoint a man will say, “If it’s not God’s will for me to be saved, I won’t be saved. You see, fatalism leaves no place for the mercy and grace of God.” 15 Now we will begin to examine some difficult passages from Ecclesiastes. The fist Scripture we will discuss is Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, the Word says, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see is from the hand of God.” This Scripture is not advocating. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die!” This type of fatalistic philosophy is not based on faith. The Scripture is telling us that we should be thankful for the blessings that God has given us, and enjoy the blessing to the glory of God. 16 ______________________ 15 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1981), 117. 16 Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor, 2001), 106. Furthermore, the literal translation of the text is as follows. “There is not a good [inherent?] In a person that he [or she] should be able to eat, drink or get satisfied from his [or her] work. Even this I realized, was from the hand [or ‘the power] of God.” 17 Therefore, the philosophy “Eat . . . drink and . . . be merry” is probably the emptiest philosophy of life that anyone could subscribe. 18 God has given us blessing to bring glory to him, not for our own self-centered interest. We will now discuss another passage that has also been misused over the years. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21, “Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” First, we must remember this text is written from the view point of man trying to understand things of God by his simple reason and logic. The text is stating that death is no respecter of persons or animals.19 As Christians, we have the blessed hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Our material part will go to the grave however; we will be resurrected and our body changed to a glorified body, to reign with Christ forever. _________________________ 17 Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament: (Downer Grove: Intra Varsity Press, 1988), 293. 18 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1981), 127. 19 Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament: (Downer Grove: Intra Varsity Press, 1988), 294. We will now examine two final passages. The first is Ecclesiastes 7:16 “Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise- why destroy yourself?” The passage here is discussing an inward righteousness a self righteousness or pride. This means, do not have a super-ego, self-delusion, or think of oneself being better than others. 20 The final scripture we will examine has been the basis of a false idea called “soul sleep.” The text reads, “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.” Ecclesiastes 8:5. This statement has been distorted over the years to even support socialism. Jesus Christ is the only answer -- all other paths lead to frustration. Individuals distort this passage by taking the scripture out of context. As we know the context is from man’s viewpoint. The Word says, 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident; I say and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Therefore, one day we will move out of this earthly tent and be in the presence of the Lord. So we know this so called soul sleep is not even a Christian view. 21 _______________________ 20 Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament: (Downer Grove: Intra Varsity Press, 1988), 296. 21 J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1981), 129. Conclusion The Final concluding question after reading Ecclesiastes is “Is life worth living?” The Book of Ecclesiastes will make one consider this question in hopeless despair, if they subscribe to the empty philosophy and limited wisdom of man. However, to the Christian we see how hopeless life would be without Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Everything in this world seems meaningless and foolish without Christ in our lives and the Holy Spirit to Guide our paths. BIBLIOGRAHY Arnold, Bill T., Beywe, Brian E. A., Encountering the Old Testament Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1999. Kaiser, Walter C. Jr., Hard Sayings of the Old Testament, Downer Grove, Ill.: Inter Varsity Press, 1988. McGee, Vernon J. thru the Bible, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003. Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 2001. Read More