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ECCLESIASTES
The Meaning of Life
Chapter 1
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The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
_SOLOMON_ is traditionally credited with authorship of Ecclesiastes. He fits the description (1st Kings 4:29-34), and his wisdom and prolific literary output are certainly on display here.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.
What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?”
“_UNDER_THE_SUN_” is the key to understanding Ecclesiastes. Solomon attempts to find meaning and significance to a completely
_SECULAR_ life. He has the time and money to investigate what life is like without _GOD_ anywhere in the equation.
Read verses 4-7
earth, sun, wind, water…
Nature and Science can _DESCRIBE_, but not ultimately
_EXPLAIN_ the existence and purpose of the elements.
Solomon looks at Creation as an endless repetition of the same mechanical cosmic activity. Read
Psalm 148. How did his dad see the same sunrises and sunsets? How do you view each new day?
Read verses 8-11
“What has been will be again…
An understanding of past history can help us recognize patterns of human activity, giving us
opportunity for future success. As the saying goes’ Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Read verse 8.
Does “New and Improved” advertising work on you? Why/why not?
Read verse 9, 10. Is this really true, given the innovation of modern technology?
Read verse 11. Is this true, particularly in light of modern archaeology?
Read verses 12-18
“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.”
Solomon now turns to philosophy and knowledge as a way to make sense of the mysteries of life. He
discovers that the more you _KNOW_, the more you _KNOW_ what you don’t _KNOW_!
Read Ecclesiastes 2:13. What is the value of philosophy?
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