Ecclesiastes #1 of 12: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 – UNDER THE SUN
INTRODUCTION – 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4
There are three kinds of people.
1. The natural man – 2:14 – unsaved and unable to grasp Spiritual truth.
2. The Spiritual man – 2:15-16 – Able to grasp Spiritual truth.
3. The Carnal man – 3:1-4 – Saved, but living in the flesh. Also has difficulty grasping Spiritual truth.
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a view of life that would be taken by the natural and carnal men. The key word in this book is “vanity”. The key phrase is “under the sun”. Solomon is giving a secular view of life apart from serious consideration of God and apart from Christ as Savior. Solomon shows us the attitudes that develop when God is left out of life.
THE AUTHOR – Vs. 1
The word “preacher” has also been translated “teacher”. It is a title given to an official speaker who calls an assembly. Other than David, there is one king who stands out as a preacher and teacher. That is Solomon. Here is he is called “son of David”, and although that phrase could refer to a more distant relative, here it appears to refer to Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 1:16 and 2:4-9 also indicate to us that Solomon is the author.
Some facts about Solomon:
1. He is the Son of David. God called him Jedidiah, meaning “Beloved of Jehovah”. 2 Samuel 12:25
2. Early in his life he had a great heart for God.
3. He had prayed for, and received great wisdom. He wrote the Book of Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12
4. He built the temple in Jerusalem.
5. He disobeyed God by multiplying horses and wives. Deuteronomy 17:14-17, 1 Kings 10:26, 11:3
6. Solomon’s wives led him away from the Lord. 1 Kings 11:9-13
7. God disciplined Solomon. 1 Kings 11:9-13
Nowhere does it say that Solomon repented of his sin. However, it is possible that this book is showing us some of the lessons, which Solomon learned as he forsook God, and perhaps returned to Him.
THE THEME – “ALL IS VANITY” – Vss. 2-4
Other words for vanity would be “emptiness” and “futility”.
Life without God has no content! Something that is vanity has no real value.
THE OPENING COMPLAINT – Vss. 4-11
1. Nothing changes under the sun. Vss. 4-7
2. Nothing satisfies under the sun. Vs. 8
3. Nothing is new under the sun. Vss. 9-10
4. Nothing is remembered under the sun. Vs. 11