Ecclesiastes 1 written and compiled by Gary Kukis Ecclesiastes 1:1–18 All is Vanity Under the Sun These studies are designed for believers in Jesus Christ only. If you have exercised faith in Christ, then you are in the right place. If you have not, then you need to heed the words of our Lord, Who said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten [or, uniquely-born] Son, so that every [one] believing [or, trusting] in Him shall not perish, but shall be have eternal life! For God did not send His Son into the world so that He should judge the world, but so that the world shall be saved through Him. The one believing [or, trusting] in Him is not judged, but the one not believing has already been judged, because he has not believed in the Name of the only-begotten [or, uniquely-born] Son of God.” (John 3:16–18). “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life! No one comes to the Father except through [or, by means of] Me!” (John 14:6). Every study of the Word of God ought to be preceded by a naming of your sins to God. This restores you to fellowship with God (1John 1:8–10). Document Navigation Preface and Quotations Outline of Chapter Charts, Graphics, Short Doctrines Doctrines Alluded to Dictionary of Terms Introduction and Text Chapter Summary Addendum A Complete Translation Verse Navigation Ecclesiastes 1:1 Ecclesiastes 1:2 Ecclesiastes 1:3 Ecclesiastes 1:4 Ecclesiastes 1:5 Ecclesiastes 1:6 Ecclesiastes 1:7 Ecclesiastes 1:8 Ecclesiastes 1:9 Ecclesiastes 1:10 Ecclesiastes 1:11 Ecclesiastes 1:12 Ecclesiastes 1:13 Ecclesiastes 1:14 Ecclesiastes 1:15 Ecclesiastes 1:16 Ecclesiastes 1:17–18 These exegetical studies are not designed for you to read each and every word. For instance, the Hebrew exegesis is put into greyish tables, so that if you want to skip over them, that is fine. If you question a translation, you can always refer back to the appropriate Hebrew tables to sort it all out. The intent is to make this particular study the most complete and most accurate examination of Ecclesiastes 1 which is available in writing. The idea is to make every phrase, verse and passage understandable and to make correct application of all that is studied. Besides teaching you the doctrinal principles related to this chapter, this commentary is also to help bring this narrative to life, so that you can understand the various characters, their motivations, and the choices that they make. Ideally, you will be able to visualize the peoples, their temporal and spiritual leaders, and their armies as they move across the landscape of the Land of Promise. I hope to provide not only an accurate exegesis of the chapter in view, but to also quote many of the great insights that past commentators have offered us. Although much of this chapter is based upon narrative from the book of Kings, I will make every attempt possible to provide enough historical information and theological context so that you will have a sufficient background to understand what is going on. Ecclesiastes 1 2 Preface: Ecclesiastes 1 introduces us to the entire book. Solomon, the author, sees the world as an empty and meaningless place, where there are patterns and even wisdom, but everything seems circular and lacking in purpose and meaning. Nothing seems truly new, and whatever has happened in the past, has soon been forgotten about. Solomon himself has searched out wisdom, under the sun, and upon finding it, feels as if he is just chasing wind. Solomon is a man with essentially infinite means by which to secure happiness and/or meaning in his life. No one else could make a more complete search for knowledge, meaning and happiness than Solomon. In this book, he reveals that he cannot find meaning, happiness or satisfaction in life, apart from God. The point which will be made many times in this study is, the wisdom which Solomon accumulates is human viewpoint wisdom; it is a collection of secular beliefs and conclusions; and none of it is truly satisfying to the human soul. To make a premature application, this is what our children are being taught in the public schools and universities. No wonder there seems to be so much rage in this world. This should be the most extensive examination of Ecclesiastes 1 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Quotations: Emptiness: Healthy Place quote; from Pinterest; accessed June 25, 2018. “I don’t know” quote from Pinterest; accessed June 25, 2018. Sebastian Horsley: Pain can be vitalising; it gives intensity in the place of vagueness and emptiness. If we don't suffer, how do we know that we live? 1 Tyson Fury: Every time I stray away from the Lord's word, I find emptiness and darkness.2 Chris Hadfield: The world, when you look at it, it just can't be random. I mean, it's so different than the vast emptiness that is everything else, and even all the other planets we've seen, at least in our solar system, none of them even remotely resemble the precious life-giving nature of our own planet.3 Vanity: 1 From https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/sebastian_horsley_633276 accessed June 25, 2018. 2 From https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/tyson_fury_741898 accessed June 25, 2018. 3 From https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/chris_hadfield_634406 accessed June 25, 2018. 3 The Book of Ecclesiastes Lisa Kleypas: A man's vanity is more fragile that you might think. It's easy for us to mistake shyness for coldness, and silence for indifference.4 Blaise Pascal: Curiosity is only vanity. We usually only want to know something so that we can talk about it.5 Miscellaneous: William Makepeace Thackeray: Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied? 6 Shannon L. Alder: Beauty is not who you are on the outside, it is the wisdom and time you gave away to save another struggling soul like you.7 Eccles. 1:1–2 The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. "Vanity of vanities!" says the Teacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!" (LEB) John W. Ritenbaugh: God has not given material things the power to satisfy man's spiritual needs.8 Dr. Bob Utley: All human work and all other things are meaningless if there is no God (atheistic humanism). We are the chance result of physical forces. There is no purpose, no meaning, no afterlife, no god, just the physical universe (atheistic naturalism).9 Archer: [The book of Ecclesiastes] is as if this wise, wealthy, and powerful king had undertaken a trial of Jesus' later challenge: 'What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?' (Matthew 16:26). And so he set about gaining the whole world and the full enjoyment of all the pleasures and satisfaction that this life could give him.10 Ray Stedman: There is something wrong inside of man. It is a tricky business for a man, who senses an overwhelming curiosity to discover the secrets of life around him, yet he finds himself baffled all the time by an inadequate understanding. Man cannot put it all together.11 Pastor John Griffith: The truth is that life is full of meaning when in fellowship with the living God - the only sphere of living that truly satisfies the soul.12 Robert Hawker: Under a great variety of evidences, taken from the circumstances of human life, and everything around, the Preacher fully proves the total inability of all the outward circumstances of nature to constitute happiness.13 4 From https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/vanity accessed June 25, 2018. 5 From https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/vanity accessed June 25, 2018. 6 From https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/vanity accessed June 25, 2018. 7 From https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/vanity accessed June 25, 2018. 8 From Bible tools accessed June 18, 2018. 9 Dr. Bob Utley, Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International; www.freebiblecommentary.org; from e-sword; Eccles. 1:3–11. 10 Mark Dunagan, Commentary on selected text; from e-Sword, Eccles. 1:2 (further citation there). 11 Ray Stedman, Stedman’s Bible Commentary; from E-sword; Ecclesiastes 1:12–15. 12 From http://www.ironrangebible.com/griffith/Ecclesiastes/Ecclesiastes_03.html accessed June 15, 2018. 13 Robert Hawker The Poor Man’s Commentary; h1805; from e-sword, Eccles. 1:1. Ecclesiastes 1 4 College Press Bible Study: Nothing in all of God’s creation, except man, concerns itself with the “why” of the activities of our world. Man, however, is restless until he discovers the why.14 Pastor John Griffith: The search for happiness "under the sun" leads away from the source of true happiness. The surest way to miss or to lose happiness in life is to pursue it.15 Augustine, speaking about the book of Ecclesiastes: Setting forth the vanity of this life, only that we may desire that life wherein, instead of vanity beneath the sun, there is truth (and eternal joy) under Him who made the sun.16 Augustine (speaking to God): Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.17 The very human point of view of Ecclesiastes has been expressed by many famous writers: The Playwright Tennessee Williams: We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it.