Bible Studies: The Book of Ecclesiastes

The Preacher concludes his book with an exhortation to the young and to the old, to live all of life in the light of eternity. Fear God and keep his commandments. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14)

Although everything is vanity under the sun, the Preacher does not want us to use this world’s vanity as a justification for passivity or inaction. In unsettling uncertainty, take appropriate action. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 11:1–6)

After spending three chapters talking about the importance of wisdom, the Preacher approaches the issue from another angle: the destructiveness of folly. Leaky wisdom sinks a kingdom (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 10:1–20)

We are absolutely not in control of our own lives, but everything is in the hand of God. So, wisdom relinquishes control and readies for eternity. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 9:1–18)

God’s wisdom trains our eyes to see—not only to avoid the dangers in this life and the next, but to discover God’s good gifts to those who fear him. God’s wisdom enlightens the eyes. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 8:1–17)

Wisdom is far off and very deep. Thus, wisdom cannot be found in pretense, nor in pragmatics, nor in people. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 7:15–29)

After deconstructing what we call good in the first half of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher now teaches what is truly good—specifically, that God alone knows what is good. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 7:1–14)

There is nothing good to see in this world, but we spend our lives looking for it. Even if we found the good we were looking for, we wouldn’t recognize it. God alone is good. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 6:1–12)

With widespread public injustice in the world, and ever-increasing appetites for wealth in our hearts, how do we find lasting satisfaction in this world? God gives paradoxical joy. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)

In a rare direct reflection on our relationship with God, the Preacher impresses the importance of a fundamental religious duty before God: do not take the name of the Lord in vain. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 5:1–7)

In regard to God’s good gifts of justice, work, and companionship, we must have proper perspective to see that sin corrupts God’s good gifts. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:16)

We are prisoners of time, while God is eternal. As an embassy of his eternality in the midst of our time-bound toil, God gives Sabbath rest. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 3:1–15)

To prove that “all is vanity” and even “vanity of vanities,” the Preacher embarks on an exhaustive search of happiness in this world. God gives enjoyment to those who trust in him. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26)

How do we live in a world that is natural, and not spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42–46)? Furthermore, how do we live in a world that is fallen and cursed by sin? There is no salvation under the sun. (Exposition of Ecclesiastes 1:1–11)