The Book of Ecclesiastes

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In this brief book, the presumed author Solomon dictates the idea that everything we do, outside of a God-centered worldview, is futile and unfulfilling. To begin with, there is some debate as to whom the actual author of Ecclesiastes is, but the overwhelming majority of critics deem the authorship of this book to Solomon, King David’s son, based on textual clues. It is also generally accepted that this book was written late in King Solomon’s life based on the text in chapter 12:1-7. Ecclesiastes is similar in style to several Biblical poetic books as well as in context to various ancient Near Eastern texts, which demonstrate that practical wisdom is of little value in the real world. Having been blessed with great wisdom, Solomon would have been a prime candidate to explain the futility of wisdom (Hill & Walton 458-459).
The book is opened in the first 11 verses by the author vaguely introducing himself followed by a brief description of the unfulfilling nature of this world. The author is attempting to set the foundation for his belief that all things are meaningless. He chooses a variety of situations that demonstrate the unfortunate fact that life is circular and that nothing that is done amounts to anything of substantial worth.
Throughout the rest of the first chapter and through most of the second, the author goes into more detail in demonstrating more specifically what he has done in determining that life is unfulfilling. He searches first in wisdom before determining that with wisdom comes sorrow and as knowledge increases, so does that sorrow (1:18). The author then searches for fulfillment in happiness and pleasure. Unfortunately, this pleasure was not sought through a God-giving sacrificial life in which God reward...

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...he cry of thousands of men, women, and children wondering how it was possible to live up to the law that God had established for them in the Torah.
Christ, through his sacrificial love on the cross, changed the lives of every man, woman, and child into a life full of meaning and purpose. No longer can mankind say that life is meaningless, because with a correct Christ-centered view of life, our work, pleasure, and legacy can bring about glory to the King of the Universe. Christ redeemed us and set us free from a life of futility and vanity. The overall theme of the book of Ecclesiastes still applies to all of humanity. Everything that we do, apart from Christ, is meaningless and unsatisfying, but if we live a Christ-centered life, God the Father freely delivers meaning and joy, through the reconciliation that comes about from the death of the LORD Jesus Christ.

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