Ecclesiastes Part 1

I need to be better about taking notes during sermons, bible reading and truly studying.  Ever since my car accident and the blessing of being a stay at home mom, I've been so fortunate for the opportunity to read and study the Word more than ever before in my life.  In 2017 my husband and I set a goal to read through the entire Bible.  We used a great app that allowed me to "check a box" when I completed a daily bible reading.  This tool allowed me to be able to say I've read the whole Bible.  This year I am doing a read through the bible with a Facebook group.  Grace & Truth Living is a Facebook group created by author Joanne Kraft, to bring like minded women together to read through the Bible.  Her motto is don't catch up, jump in.  I did not start with the group until February, so knowing I could jump in, read and learn, was huge. 

Through all of this reading, I need to write, journal, take notes and process more. 

This brings me to Ecclesiastes. 

My church Fellowship Bible Church just began a new study on the book of Ecclesiastes.  The study will last through the Summer and I felt called to take good notes and internalize the Book as much as possible. Fellowship does of a lot of expository Bible teaching.  So, my desire is to learn more. 

This week the passage was Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; 12:13-14 

The very beginning and end of this interesting book.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 sets up the author of the text as Solomon.  The verse sets the author as a preacher (leader, assembler or spokesperson), a son of David (anyone in David's line), and King of Jerusalem.  Perhaps Solomon penned the book, or perhaps it is a compilation of his thoughts and wisdom, there is much debate.  The voice IS King Solomon's. 

There is much to know about Solomon, and much more I'm sure I'll learn....in 1 week:

Solomon was the most humanly successful Hebrew.
Solomon had much wealth and wisdom.
Solomon represents the pinnacle of human success.
Solomon is most renown for his wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 sets the message of the book.

"'Absolute futility,' says the Teacher.  'Absolute futility.  Everything is futile.'" CSB

SHOCK VALUE.  Futility is also translated Vanity or meaningless.  A vapor.  Everything is meaningless, nothing more than a vapor.  THERE IS A TENSION HERE. This book and these words come from a man of God with great wisdom.  Whatever he has to say must surely grip my soul as I read His words.

The teaching pastor at my church pointed out that these words should be seen through 2 lenses.

LENS 1: We are a fallen creation.  Life under the sun, a phrase mentioned repetitively in Ecclesiastes, refers to a fallen creation.  In this creation that is fallen, death is the major player not life.  *In 2018 we are on the opposite side of the cross from Solomon, Solomon was pre-Jesus. In his understanding as his wisdom crafted this book, death WAS the major player.  This brings me to ...
LENS 2: Progressive revelation.  Because of the time God chose to create me and give me life on this planet, I know what Solomon did not yet know.  What had not been fully realized.  I live on the side of the cross where death has no sting, because Jesus conquered that death through the cross.

A few thoughts...

Solomon is mourning the hopeless state of affairs for all Christians, and even living on this side of the cross I should feel righteous desperation and angst for all things to be made right and restored through Christ.


The very end of the book of Ecclesiastes gives us a conclusion or meaning:

12:13-14
"When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity.  For God will bring every act to judgment including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." CSB

Fearing God - we should be relating to God as we were designed to.  He should be a place of comfort, and a Deity we reverently and respectfully obey.

It is important to know that every act comes to judgment.  Good and Evil. 

The job of a judge is not just to dole out punishments for crimes committed, but to restore justice.  In Ecclesiastes it is clear that the restoration of judgment applies to all things.

In light of the fall all things are meaningless or futile...In light of the restoration that is to come, NOTHING is meaningless or futile.  EVERYTHING has meaning. 

Ecclesiastes makes a full circle...
In Ecclesiastes 1:2 everything is MEANINGLESS
In Ecclesiastes 12:14 everything is restored, therefore, everything is MEANINGFUL

There is much to study in between 1:1 and 12:14....