The scroll of Ecclesiastes, a part of the Ketuvim, often goes unnoticed as a sequel to the book of Proverbs. Nestled within the wisdom literature of our Bible, alongside Proverbs and Job, it offers a stark contrast to the poetic teachings of Proverbs. Ecclesiastes appears to be a compilation of a student’s notes and reflections from interactions with his ekklēsiastēs—a Greek term meaning “teacher.” While tradition suggests that this teacher was Solomon, the Hebrew word for “son” used in the book’s opening verse is more accurately interpreted as “descendant.” This leaves room for the possibility that the teacher could be any of David’s descendants, with the author being one of his students.
The voice in Ecclesiastes is often attributed to King Solomon or someone from his court, though many scholars suggest its philosophical tone aligns more with the Hellenistic period, influenced by Greek thought. This challenges the belief that Solomon, the author of Proverbs, could have also written Ecclesiastes. However, those who support Solomon as the author argue that it could reflect his contemplations in later life. The teacher in the book describes himself as the king of Jerusalem, a son of David, knowledgeable in wisdom and philosophy, a lover of many women, and a builder of great infrastructural projects—traits that strongly point to Solomon among the kings of Jerusalem.
Contrasting Views in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes is also considered by some to be written by the same person—or at least during the same generation—as Proverbs, despite the radically different viewpoints expressed in the two books. Unlike Proverbs, which generally upholds the idea that righteousness leads to success and wickedness to ruin, Ecclesiastes confronts the harsh realities where the righteous often struggle, and the wicked seem to prosper.
While many adhere to the comforting wisdom of Proverbs, they tend to dismiss the challenging truths presented in Ecclesiastes. If we disregard the contents of Ecclesiastes, we should also scrutinise Proverbs, as both likely originated from the same author or at least written in the same era. What we must appreciate is that even the most profound critique of God finds its place in the Bible, suggesting that beneath the seemingly meaningless musings, there lies a deeper lesson that God wants us to learn.
Everything is Meaningless
The Teacher, a man of substantial wealth, dedicated his life to uncovering the purpose behind our daily struggles. He embarked on exhaustive experiments, investing both time and resources, only to conclude that everything was meaningless. The word “meaningless,” which he used frequently in his work, was a translation of the Hebrew term hebel. A more accurate comparison for hebel would be “vapour” or “vanity,” symbolising something elusive and unattainable.
Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)
The essence of Ecclesiastes is summarised at both the beginning and the end of the book: the Teacher believes that everything in life is meaningless, like vapour. This raises the question: Are our lives meaningless without a purpose?
The Pursuit of Purpose
The Teacher questions whether our lives are meaningless without a purpose. The answer depends on the purpose we choose to pursue. Embracing a “YOLO” mindset—living life only once and to the fullest—may indeed lead to a sense of meaninglessness if not guided by divine direction. Noble pursuits such as charity, social work, activism, and philanthropy align with supporting the less fortunate but may not fulfil our ultimate purpose, leading to emptiness during difficult times. The concept of sonder—the realisation that everyone faces their own challenges—highlights that while some find purpose in similar activities, others may not.
Some may feel their lives lack purpose and that they are simply going through the motions, resonating deeply with the Teacher’s reflections in Ecclesiastes. However, the Teacher ultimately suggests that true meaning is not found in pleasure, wisdom, or even adherence to laws, but rather in being united with our Father. The teacher might have struggled with a direct connection to God, possibly only relating to Him through his father—likely David—(if Ecclesiastes is Solomon).
This struggle mirrors our own experiences when we lack a personal connection with God, knowing Him only through what we learn from our parents. Ultimately, our lives do have a purpose, and that purpose is found in Christ. When we are united with God through a personal relationship with Him, our actions and existence gain true meaning, transcending the emptiness described by the Teacher.
The Futility of Human Labour
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?…
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 1:3-9 (NIV)
The Teacher reflects on the futility of human labour, noting that while people toil under the sun, they gain nothing lasting. Observing nature’s repetitive cycles—the endless blowing of the wind and the continuous flow of water—he concludes that people are much the same. Despite finding no lasting meaning in their pursuits, they are never satisfied and continuously seek more, whether it be money, recognition, or love.
People mirror these endless cycles in nature, constantly chasing after goals that ultimately leave them unfulfilled. For example, someone may strive to buy their first house before turning 40, but even after acquiring several homes, they remain unsatisfied. Similarly, after receiving a promotion, they quickly begin planning for the next one. Life becomes a series of goals that, once achieved, offer little satisfaction, akin to a dog chasing a car without a plan for what to do if it catches it. Unless we rise above this pattern, life will inevitably feel frustrating and unfulfilling.
The Cyclic Nature of Innovation
Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them. – Ecclesiastes 1:10-11 (NIV)
Everything in life is wearisome, and nothing truly satisfies. What has happened before will happen again, and nothing is new under the sun. Even those who come after us will not be remembered by future generations. The Teacher suggests that everything in life is wearisome and nothing truly satisfies. What has happened before will happen again, and nothing is new under the sun. Although we encounter new and life-changing inventions daily—such as new technologies and automations that simplify our lives—these innovations are cyclical.
Owning the latest iPhone, for instance, doesn’t bring a deeper purpose to our lives. The sheer volume of new releases has made them commonplace, and they offer no genuine novelty. This cyclical nature of innovation reflects the patterns observed in nature, reinforcing the Teacher’s perspective.
The Burden of Wisdom
I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! – Ecclesiastes 1:13 (NIV)
The Teacher employs the term Elohim instead of Yahweh, which reflects a broader perspective on divine authority rather than challenging God’s sovereignty. The Teacher’s perspective on the burden placed upon humanity is rooted in the consequences of disobedience. This burden emerges because humanity, through its choices, has distanced itself from God. Since the days of the Garden, mankind has repeatedly made poor decisions, leading to a separation from God. This separation constitutes the true weight we bear, as it stems from our own choice to live apart from God’s divine presence and guidance.
The Teacher believes that what is crooked cannot be made straight and what is lacking cannot be measured. While God is capable of anything, it appears that the Teacher has not experienced this divine capacity and therefore makes such claims.
The Relationship Between Wisdom and Sorrow
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. – Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wisdom leads to sorrow because, unlike ignorance—which can offer a sense of bliss by shielding one from the reality of life’s end—the wise person is acutely aware of the inevitability of death. Although wisdom holds value, it does not change the unavoidable fate that ultimately claims everyone. Despite its merits, wisdom cannot overcome the inherent limitations of human existence, including the certainty of death.
Is having wisdom the start of our sorrows? According to Ecclesiastes, wisdom does indeed lead to sorrow because it brings awareness of life’s inevitable end—death—while ignorance can offer a sense of bliss. The wise person understands the limitations of human existence, including the certainty of death, which can be a source of sorrow.
Wisdom is often gained through experience and reflection over time, while knowledge can be acquired more immediately. In the biblical context, when mankind ate the forbidden fruit, they gained knowledge instantly. However, the wisdom that came from understanding the full implications of their actions and the consequences of their separation from God took much longer to acquire, symbolised by the long period of living outside the Garden of Eden. This illustrates that while knowledge can be obtained quickly, true wisdom is developed through experience and reflection over time.
Discussion Questions
- Are our lives meaningless without a purpose?
- Can what is crooked cannot never be made straight?
- Is having wisdom the start of our sorrows?
The Jordan Valley 
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