Ecclesiastes: What I Learned

And how it changed my life when I read it during 2023's Bible reading plan

We read the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, during the reign of King Solomon, on Days 170 & 171 in the chronological reading plan.

Allow me to tell you how Ecclesiastes influenced my life during the week I read it in June 2023.

My husband and I love to recall an amusing interview with a sports personality who recounted how his family helped keep him humble by telling him, “You are not that guy! Sit down!”

The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that most of us are not “that guy.” Great individuals, truly remembered by history, are few. King Solomon, son of Israel’s King David, author of Ecclesiastes, is one of those few, but is able to offer a perspective helpful to the rest of us.

When I read the book of Job, I realize how thankful I am for Job’s life. He suffered much, but his life became a sacrificial gift to the rest of us if we are able to learn from his experience. He teaches us about the ways of God and Satan, he teaches us about the sovereignty of God, and he teaches us about the futility of questioning God.

If Job’s life was about suffering, King Solomon’s life was about the opposite. His father David suffered much to gain the kingdom of Israel, but he left his son with that kingdom established in peace and prosperity. At the beginning of his reign, God asked Solomon what he wished Him to give him. Solomon asked for wisdom. God was so pleased with that request that he granted him riches, honor, and longevity as well.

Solomon truly “had it all.” And, after experiencing “it all,” what did he want to tell us? All under the sun is vanity. What “under the sun” refers to is all that is earthly, without consideration for God and His kingdom. Solomon learned and shares that the futility of our earthly lives under the sun is only redeemed by faith in God, fidelity to Him, enjoyment of all that He has given us, and trust in justice for all eternity.

I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

Solomon resolved to seek wisdom and knowledge, and found it unsatisfying. So, he resolved to seek pleasure, and

behold, it too was futility….I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves and I had home born slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines. Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun….For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasumuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten. And how the wise man and the fool alike die! So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

His conclusion?

There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy.

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.

All that we have on this earth is a gift from God. Our ability to recognize and enjoy that is also a gift from God.

Most of us on this planet vainly strive. I don’t think the point is that we stop striving. We don’t cease industriousness or obedience to our calling. We don’t live for enjoyment or pleasure alone. That too is vanity. But, our contentment, our joy, our satisfaction should not come from that which are striving for. It should come in our daily living, and in our recognizing each day, and all that comes with it, including our loved ones, is a gift from God.

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires.

This is the verse that most convicted me. Lately, I’ve been striving for different, unsatisfied with the phase I am in, praying for change. I’ll continue to pray for change, but I’ve resolved to recognize that what my eyes see today is better than what my soul desires for tomorrow, which may or may not be realized.

For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him.

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom [after this life under the sun.]

The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.

Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. 

It is important that Solomon distinguishes our life under the sun compared to what awaits us in eternity. We enjoy life under the sun as a gift from God, desiring to please Him and live with Him forever.

Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them.'

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

How did this all influence me this week? I said “yes” to a couple invitations that my striving would usually tell me I “should” decline. And instead of staying home to do chores that compel me, I booked a spontaneous plane flight when I was gifted with some surprise free time.

Lord, help us to see and enjoy all the gifts that You have given us under the sun, including our friends and family. And may we fear You, obey You, and glorify You in all we do.