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99 lines
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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
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<div class="subhead">The Book of Ecclesiastes</div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;font-weight:bold;">Introduction</div>
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<p>The Book of Ecclesiastes has fascinated many people. Some feel it is the most puzzling book in the Old Testament. It has been called one of the most melancholy books of the Bible. It has been used by some to teach that man ceases to exist after death.</p>
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<p>It is not a book that Christians should ignore. As with all Old Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (<a id="si-Rom 15:4" onClick="return mV('Rom',15,4);">Rom 15:4</a>) and admonition (<a id="si-1Cr 10:11" onClick="return mV('1Cr',10,11);">1Cr 10:11</a>). It is therefore profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness (<a id="si-2Ti 3:16-17" onClick="return mV('2Ti',3,16,17);">2Ti 3:16-17</a>).</p>
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<p>The book has special relevance today in our materialistic society, for it helps us to see the vanity of many earthly pursuits. It contains lessons for all, but especially for the young who have so much to lose should they make the wrong choices early in life.</p>
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<p><b>TITLE:</b> In the Hebrew Bible, the book is called <b>"Qoheleth"</b> (Koheleth) which means "preacher" (cf. <a id="si-Ecc 1:1" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,1);">Ecc 1:1</a>). The term suggests one who speaks to an assembly. The translators of the Septuagint (a Greek version of the Old Testament) called it <b>"Ekklesiastes"</b>, which also means "preacher". The word is derived from "ekklesia", meaning "assembly".</p>
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<p><b>AUTHOR AND DATE OF WRITING:</b> Jewish and early Christian tradition attribute the book to <b>Solomon</b>. The author identifies himself as "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (<a id="si-Ecc 1:1b" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,1);">Ecc 1:1</a>). He also refers to himself as "the Preacher" (<a id="si-Ecc 1:1, 2, 12" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,'1-2',12);">Ecc 1:1, 2, 12</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 7:27" onClick="return mV('Ecc',7,27);">Ecc 7:27</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 12:8-10" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,'8-10');">Ecc 12:8-10</a>). Internal evidences point to Solomon. Note the references to:</p>
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<div class="levA">* His wisdom - <a id="si-Ecc 1:16" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,16);">Ecc 1:16</a>;</b> cf. <a id="si-1Ki 3:12" onClick="return mV('1Ki',3,12);">1Ki 3:12</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* His building activities - <a id="si-Ecc 2:4-6" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,'4-6');">Ecc 2:4-6</a>; </b>cf. <a id="si-1Ki 7:1-12" onClick="return mV('1Ki',7,'1-12');">1Ki 7:1-12</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* His wealth - <a id="si-Ecc 2:7-9" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,'7-9');">Ecc 2:7-9</a>; </b>cf. <a id="si-2Ch 9:13-28" onClick="return mV('2Ch',9,'13-28');">2Ch 9:13-28</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* His activities after writing this book - <a id="si-Ecc 12:9-10" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,9,10);">Ecc 12:9-10</a>; </b>cf. <a id="si-Ecc 12:9-10" onClick="return mV('1Ki',4,'30-34');">Ecc 12:9-10</a></div>
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<p>Some question whether certain conditions described in the book (cf. <a id="si-Ecc 3:16" onClick="return mV('Ecc',3,16);">Ecc 3:16</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 4:13-16" onClick="return mV('Ecc',4,'13-16');">Ecc 4:13-16</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 5:8" onClick="return mV('Ecc',5,8);">Ecc 5:8</a>) existed during the reign of Solomon. But these conditions could have been noted by Solomon in neighboring countries, or in lower-level positions of his administration.</p>
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<p>In my opinion, the evidence is simply not compelling to reject the traditional view of Solomon as the author. If Solomon is indeed the author, then the date the book was written would be around <b>945 B.C.</b></p>
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<p><b>PURPOSE FOR WRITING:</b> The Preacher wondered what many have asked:</p>
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<div class="block"><b>"What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?" (<a id="si-Ecc 1:3" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,3);">Ecc 1:3</a>).</b></div>
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<p>In other words, what value or purpose is there for living? What is the meaning of life? Having been blessed with great material resources and wisdom, the Preacher was able to explore all avenues in his search. He writes to share with us the results of his own investigation, and to offer observations and words of counsel gleaned from his search.</p>
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<p><b>MESSAGE:</b> There are two main messages. The first is stated in the prologue:</p>
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<p align="center"><b>"All is vanity" (<a id="si-Ecc 1:2" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,2);">Ecc 1:2</a>)</b></p>
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<p>This theme is repeated by the Preacher time and again:</p>
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<div class="levA">* Prior to describing his search for meaning - <a id="si-Ecc 1:14" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,14);">Ecc 1:14</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* Throughout the course of his search:</div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of pleasure - <a id="si-Ecc 2:1" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,1);">Ecc 2:1</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of industry (labor) - <a id="si-Ecc 2:11, 22-23" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,11,22,23);">Ecc 2:11, 22-23</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 4:4" onClick="return mV('Ecc',4,4);">Ecc 4:4</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of human wisdom - <a id="si-Ecc 2:15" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,15);">Ecc 2:15</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of all life - <a id="si-Ecc 2:17" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,17);">Ecc 2:17</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of leaving an inheritance - <a id="si-Ecc 2:18-21" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,'18-21');">Ecc 2:18-21</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* Throughout his words of counsel and wisdom:</div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of earthly existence - <a id="si-Ecc 3:19-21" onClick="return mV('Ecc',3,'19-21');">Ecc 3:19-21</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of acquiring riches over family - <a id="si-Ecc 4:7-8" onClick="return mV('Ecc',4,7,8);">Ecc 4:7-8</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of political popularity - <a id="si-Ecc 4:16" onClick="return mV('Ecc',4,16);">Ecc 4:16</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of many dreams and many words - <a id="si-Ecc 5:7" onClick="return mV('Ecc',5,7);">Ecc 5:7</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of loving abundance - <a id="si-Ecc 5:10" onClick="return mV('Ecc',5,10);">Ecc 5:10</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of wealth without the gift of God to enjoy it - <a id="si-Ecc 6:2" onClick="return mV('Ecc',6,2);">Ecc 6:2</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of wandering desire - <a id="si-Ecc 6:9" onClick="return mV('Ecc',6,9);">Ecc 6:9</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of foolish laughter - <a id="si-Ecc 7:6" onClick="return mV('Ecc',7,6);">Ecc 7:6</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of injustice in this life - <a id="si-Ecc 8:14" onClick="return mV('Ecc',8,14);">Ecc 8:14</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of the days of darkness - <a id="si-Ecc 11:8" onClick="return mV('Ecc',11,8);">Ecc 11:8</a></div>
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<div class="lev1">The vanity of childhood and youth - <a id="si-Ecc 11:10" onClick="return mV('Ecc',11,10);">Ecc 11:10</a></div>
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<div class="levA">* At the conclusion of the book - <a id="si-Ecc 12:8" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,8);">Ecc 12:8</a></div>
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<p>Indeed, the key word in this book is <b>"vanity"</b>. It occurs 35 times in 29 verses. It means "futility, uselessness, nothingness." But a key phrase to be noted is <b>"under the sun"</b>. It is found 29 times in 27 verses. It suggests that this message of vanity is true when one looks at life purely from an earthly perspective. Leave God and the afterlife out of the equation, and life is truly vanity!</p>
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<p>Therefore another message in this book is the importance of serving God throughout life. This is the message the Preacher would leave with the young (cf. <a id="si-Ecc 11:9" onClick="return mV('Ecc',11,'9-10');">Ecc 11:9</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 12:1" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,1);">Ecc 12:1</a>), and is stated in his final words:</p>
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<div class="block"><b>"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (<a id="si-Ecc 12:13" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,13);">Ecc 12:13</a>)</b></div>
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<p>Throughout the book, we will find what the Preacher later describes as <b>"goads"</b> and <b>"nails"</b> (cf. <a id="si-Ecc 12:11" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,11);">Ecc 12:11</a>). These are wise sayings that will "prod" our thinking, and exhortations that will provide stability and direction for living. Ecclesiastes is certainly a book worthy of careful study!</p>
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<p> </p>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>BRIEF OUTLINE</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>INTRODUCTION AND PROLOGUE (<a id="si-Ecc 1:1-3" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,'1-3');">Ecc 1:1-3</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>I. <u>THE PREACHER'S SEARCH FOR MEANING IN LIFE</u> (<a id="si-Ecc 1:4-18" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,'4-18');">Ecc 1:4-18</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 2" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,'1-');">Ecc 2)</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>II. <u>THE PREACHER'S OBSERVATIONS FROM LIFE</u> (<span class="noTag">Ecc 3:1-6:12</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>III. <u>THE PREACHER'S COUNSEL FOR LIFE</u> (<span class="noTag">7:1-12:7</span>)</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>EPILOGUE AND CONCLUSION (<a id="si-Ecc 12:8-14" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,'8-14');">Ecc 12:8-14</a>)</b></div>
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<p> </p>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>1) What is the book of Ecclesiastes called in the Hebrew Bible? What does it mean?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Qoheleth (Koheleth)</div>
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<div class="levA">- Preacher</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>2) What does the word "ecclesiasates" mean? What Greek word is it derived from?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Preacher</div>
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<div class="levA">- Ekklesia, meaning "an assembly"</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>3) According to Jewish and early Christian tradition, who is the author, and when was it likely written?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Solomon</div>
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<div class="levA">- 945 B.C.</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>4) What internal evidence is there to identify the author? (<a id="si-Ecc 1:16" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,16);">Ecc 1:16</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 2:4-9" onClick="return mV('Ecc',2,'4-9');">Ecc 2:4-9</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 12:9-10" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,9,10);">Ecc 12:9-10</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- His wisdom</div>
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<div class="levA">- His building activities</div>
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<div class="levA">- His wealth</div>
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<div class="levA">- His activities after writing the book</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>5) What question does the Preacher seek to answer in this book? (<a id="si-Ecc 1:3" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,3);">Ecc 1:3</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?"</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>6) What key word is found in this book? What key phrase is repeated time and again?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Vanity</div>
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<div class="levA">- Under the sun</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>7) What are the two main messages found in this book? (<a id="si-Ecc 1:14" onClick="return mV('Ecc',1,14);">Ecc 1:14</a>; <a id="si-Ecc 12:13" onClick="return mV('Ecc',12,13);">Ecc 12:13</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- The vanity of life under the sun (life purely from an earthly perspective)</div>
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<div class="levA">- The importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>8) According to the brief outline above, what are the three main divisions of the book?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- The Preacher's search for meaning in life (1-2)</div>
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<div class="levA">- The Preacher's observations from life (3-6)</div>
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<div class="levA">- The Preacher's counsel for life (7-12)</div>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:85%;margin-top:25px;">Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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</div></div>
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<div class="return">
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<a href="#top">Return to Top</a><br>
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<a href="./study/eo/index.html">Return to Executable Outlines</a>
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</div><div class="cite2">
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<p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Copeland, Mark A.<br>Title: "The Book of Ecclesiastes"<br>Work: <em>Executable Outlines</em><br>Date Added: 28 Aug 2003<br>Source: Executable Outlines</p>
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