In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

ECCLESIASTES

The Book of Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom, the fourth of the five books of poetry and wisdom. It was written by King Solomon shortly before the end of his reign over Israel in 931 BC. Solomon was gifted with the greatest wisdom ever given to man by God. However, Solomon turned away from God in the latter years of his reign. His character and the nation of Israel declined as a result.

The theme of Ecclesiastes is the vanity of life without God. Solomon realized that everything he accomplished under the sun was in vain while living apart from God. There is no meaning or purpose to life without God. A life without God causes us to lead empty, frustrating lives when our accomplishments become an end unto themselves. Solomon summarized the purpose of life in Ecclesiastes verse 12:13 when he states – “Fear God and Keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”.

God created us for the purpose of eternal fellowship with Him. Apart From Him, we have no life. Only the crucifixion and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, made it possible for us to be reconciled with God the Father for eternity. If we turn to Christ and ask Him for forgiveness, He will give us the gift of salvation and a heart for God. Through sanctification, we learn to walk in righteousness from which we gain unexplainable peace and contentment regardless of our standing in this world.

Ecclesiastes 1-2: The definition and examples of vanity

Ecclesiastes 3-6: God’s judgments on vanity

Ecclesiastes 7-12: Wisdom for living a joyful life