Yes, There Is a Hopeful Message in the Book of Ecclesiastes

Every book of the Bible speaks to different facets of history, of spiritual truth, and of daily life. The books of poetry, in particular, can be a source of growth and encouragement for the highs and lows of Christian living. The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the poetic books, but unlike the Psalms or Proverbs, it is not known for its uplifting tone. Instead, it seems to harp on the meaninglessness of human existence. But that does not mean it is without hope, or important lessons and messages for the reader.

Written by a man who, from an earthly standpoint, achieved everything in life, the book of Ecclesiastes examines the highs and lows of a mortal life, and compares it to the promises of God. It looks backward at the futility of pursuing material gains, recognizes the cycles of life that God built into the world, and settles in a peace about God’s will, and submitting to it.

Who Wrote Ecclesiastes?

The book of Ecclesiastes comes from the perspective of a “Teacher” who self-identifies as the Son of King David. It is generally accepted that this son is Solomon, who inherited David’s throne and received great wisdom from God as a spiritual gift. He is also believed to have written the Book of Proverbs and the Song of Songs - sometimes called the Song of Solomon.

When he took the throne, God offered to grant him whatever he wanted because of his obedience and the obedience of his father David. Solomon asked for wisdom and discernment so he could be a good king.

“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.  So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both wealth and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life’” (1 Kings 3:10-14).

It is believed that it was towards the end of this long life that Solomon probably wrote the book of Ecclesiastes.

What Is Ecclesiastes about?

Ecclesiastes is a unique book in the Bible because it spends a great deal of time focusing on what life is like on earth, without express mentions of a relationship with God till later in the text. What this book does do, is put the life of a person in its context compared to the great expanse of time, the cold unfeeling nature of the world, and ultimately death.

People in Solomon’s time, as today, were not living for centuries. Each person is allotted a brief lifespan, and then they perish, whether by the natural course of living in a sin-cursed world or due to an unnatural event like an accident or murder. Despite someone dying, the world moves on. When looking at life in this way, the writer bemoans that if this is all there was to life, everything is meaningless. Even things that may considered worth pursuing such as wisdom or even righteousness, are bemoaned as vain when held up to the cold, empty march of time and the inevitability of death.

Verses that focus on the vanity of human existence include:

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.  What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4).

“For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

“For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

“All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20).

The word that is often translated as “vanity” or “meaningless” is the word hebel - הֶבֶל. It actually translates to vapor. The writer is not necessarily saying that life is meaningless, but that it is delicate, or easily dissolved away, and the meaning can be difficult to grasp.

One of the crucial acknowledgments in Ecclesiastes is something that many people struggle with, and that many use as a reason to reject God; life is not fair, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. “In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing” (Ecclesiastes 7:15).

The writer takes an honest look at the world, and finds it riddled with evil, and that pursuing meaning in the things of this world, no matter how noble, aspirational, or good they may appear, leads to an empty life.

Why Is This Book of the Bible in There?

Considering many do in fact look at the emptiness of life as examined in this book and say it is a reason to reject God and deny His very existence, it can be confusing as to why this book is canonized. Why emphasize that God does not answer every prayer? Why point out that evil men get away with evil, that they even prosper in the wickedness?

When the writer of Ecclesiastes points out the vanity of pursuing the things of the world, he keeps returning to the idea of looking to God, fearing the Lord, and pursuing Him.

Verses that emphasize the value of pursuing and trusting God include:

“And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).

“Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God” (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13).

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).

“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything” (Ecclesiastes 11:5).

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14).

In many ways, the book of Ecclesiastes is a simple, but poignant response to those who look around and chose to live life for themselves or see life as pointless. Despite the constant refrain that all is vanity, like vapor, or meaningless, the writer finds meaning in living life for God. He even encourages the reader to enjoy life with their spouse, because God intended for there to be pleasure in life. Having an appropriate fear of the Lord, and pursuing wisdom about God, will result in a blessed life.

Whether good or evil, rich or poor, wise or foolish, everyone will have to stand before the throne of God one day to be judged, so living a life that glorifies God will give eternal meaning. Those who pursued earthly vanity will have led a meaningless life, because God will judge them.

Where Is the Hope of Jesus in This Book?

Every book in the Bible points to Jesus in some way. Whether it contains prophecy, men whose lives pointed towards salvation, or even if it just fills in an important gap in the history of the Jewish people like the Book of Esther, the Lord Jesus is the central figure of the Scriptures.

“And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Ecclesiastes is no exception.

The important allusion to the coming Messiah in this book is not in it pointing to His role as Savior, but as the final judge. One day in the future, the Father will hand over to the Son full authority to judge every person who ever lived. The Book of Revelation states, “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done … And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12&15).

The book of Ecclesiastes refers to the judgment of the righteous and the unrighteous several times, and even ends with the warning that one day, the reader will have to give an account of themselves. For those who followed the advice of the writer, and obeyed the ways of God, and for those who put their faith in Him, that day will give their life ultimate meaning. For those who did not, and rejected God, their eternity will be void of meaning, and filled with judgment.

The meaning of life is one of the eternal questions that every person wrestles with, even if they do so by avoiding the question. The book of Ecclesiastes faces this question head on, and comes to the right conclusion that meaning is found in living a life for God, avoiding doing what is wrong in His sight, enjoy the blessings He bestows, and accepting that He will accomplish His purposes in His time. Fighting God’s timing or will is the actual act of futility, but there is hope and joy in living for Him.

For the Christians who live today with the full knowledge of Jesus Christ and His salvation, freely offered – that is the wisdom that gives purpose, and should encourage them to share that purpose and hope with the world.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Sources

Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Updated and Expanded Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC, 2007.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Old Testament and New Testament. United States of America: Victor Books, 1987.

Wilmington, H.L. Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981.

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Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.