Is That All There Is?

Is there nothing more to life than vanity? Ecclesiastes 1.1, 2

Ecclesiastes 1 (1)

Pray Psalm 104.1-4.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,
Who makes the clouds His chariot,
Who walks on the wings of the wind,
Who makes His angels spirits,
His ministers a flame of fire.

Prepare.
1. How much do you know about Solomon and his reign?

2. Why would Solomon be writing such a dour book?

Meditate.
Since Solomon begins this collection of reminiscences, warnings, and exhortations on such a dour note (“vanity of vanities” – what a page-turner!), we might be tempted to think that this – despair and disappointment – is the ultimate theme of the book. But Solomon is not beginning with his conclusion; instead, he is beginning with the primary lesson he wants to convey to his son, Rehoboam: Life apart from God isn’t worth the trouble.

Two reasons appear in these verses for thinking, with most of Christian tradition, that the writer here is Solomon. First, he claims as much, since only one son of David was king of all Israel in Jerusalem (v. 12). Second, he refers to himself not by name but by a curious title, “Qohelet.” The NKJV translates this word, “Preacher”, but it is really closer to “Leader of the Assembly” since it derives from the Hebrew verb meaning, “to assemble”. Solomon refers to himself as something like the “Worship Leader”. Is Solomon, shamed in his old age, harking back to his glory days, when he led all Israel in assembly before God (cf. 2 Chronicles 5-7, and note how many times Solomon is described as “assembling” the people)?

Solomon had made a mess of things by the end of his life, but, as we shall see, he seems to have recovered his senses in the end, at least enough to gather together these words of warning for his son, whom he saw making the same mistakes he had during his reign as king.

In his old age Solomon, after straying far from God’s purposes, somehow managed to recover his senses and turn again to the Lord (Eccl. 12). He must have recognized the bad example he had set for his son and, by gathering together these words of testimony, exhortation, common sense, and warning, hoped to spare Rehoboam the disappointment and misery which had overcome him.

Ecclesiastes is something like a last testament, directed to Solomon’s son, but with timeless words for anyone considering or trapped in a life apart from God and His truth. The theme of “vanity” will recur in Ecclesiastes as a way of connecting with those who may be tempted to live any part of their lives with a strictly “this-world” frame of reference. When we read about the vanity of life, we should understand that Solomon is not speaking about life as God intended it, but as men experience it – as he did – while wandering from God and seeking their own way in life (Prov. 14.12). Appropriately, therefore, he begins his meditations at the point that he believes would most likely connect with his son, and with readers from every age: Is there any meaning, any purpose to life?

Bonus note: It is possible that the book of Ecclesiastes (“the words of the Worship Leader” – Heb. דִּבְרֵי֙ קֹהֶ֣לֶת) may be the book referred to in 1 Kings 11.41 as the book of the “words of Solomon” (Heb. דִּבְרֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה.)

Reflect.
1. What does the phrase “vanity of vanities” suggest? Why do we need to know about this?

2. Quickly review 2 Chronicles 5-7. Why would Solomon prefer the title “Worship Leader” (קֹהֶ֣לֶת – Qohelet) to refer to himself? What seems to have been ultimately most important to Solomon? What legacy was he trying to leave for his son?

3. What goal would you like to set for our study of Ecclesiastes? Forward today’s lesson to several friends, and invite them to study along with you. You could even plan to meet from time to time, and discuss what you’re learning. This would be an effective way to encourage believers in your Personal Mission Field to keep growing in the Lord.

Solomon is here given the Greek name Ecclesiastes [Heb Qōhelet], for he gathers the assembly [qāhāl], that is, the church. But we can call him the Preacher because he speaks to the people and his word is directed not only to one person but to everyone. Jerome (347-420), Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1.1

Pray Psalm 104.1-15.
Take your time as you pray, and marvel at the great sovereignty, goodness, and power of God, especially as these bear on you throughout the day. Pray for those in your Personal Mission Field who don’t know this all-sovereign and loving God.

Sing Psalm 104.1-15.
Psalm 104.1-15 (Creation: Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim)
Bless God, my soul!  How great are You, Lord, with majesty and splendor adorned.
The heav’ns He stretches like a tent, and lays His chambers in the firmament.
He rides the wings of winds on high and makes His messengers flaming fly.
The earth on its foundation stands, established forever by His hands.

The earth and mountains He did flood; they fled at Your rebuke, O sovereign God!
The mountains rose, the valleys sank low; to where You determined they should go.
You set a boundary, hold them in, that they may not cover the earth again.
You make the valleys gush with springs; and to all creatures refreshment bring.

The birds beside the waters dwell and sing in the branches, full and well.
You drench the mountains from above; the earth is sated by Your love.
You cause the grass for beasts to grow, and plants for food to feed us so;
and wine to gladden man’s poor soul, and bread and oil to make us whole.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Ecclesiastes fit in the overall flow of Scripture? Our series of studies, God’s Covenant, can show you, and help you discover the great beauty of the unity and diversity of Scripture, and how it all points to Christ. To order your copy of this important workbook, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).