Preachers and lecturers of God’s Phrase carry an immense duty. We should deal with Scripture faithfully with the purpose of pointing our listeners all the time to Jesus, the true hero of the complete Bible.
This purpose feels significantly difficult after we open a seemingly darkish e-book like Ecclesiastes. Main themes of Ecclesiastes are futility, meaninglessness, absurdity, and brevity. How then will we faithfully preach Christ from a e-book that always feels so perplexing?
The New Testomony tells us that the Spirit carried males alongside to provide us the Outdated Testomony Scriptures (2 Pet 1:21). So, Ecclesiastes was given for a transparent function. The e-book exposes the meaninglessness and confusion of life if this cursed world is all there’s. It creates a deep starvation inside us for one thing higher, one thing lasting. Ecclesiastes acts like a goad, a cattle prod (see Eccl 12:11). It pokes and prods the reader to maneuver in the suitable route: to stroll in knowledge. This knowledge, finally, leads us to salvation by means of Jesus Christ.
We should clearly present our listeners the futility of life with out the Messiah. We expose human vainness to push individuals towards religion. We push them towards the contentment discovered solely in God.
Setting the stage
Earlier than contemplating the right way to preach Christ from Ecclesiastes, we should first perceive some foundational issues.
Authorship: Solomon
The e-book begins by figuring out the author as the “Trainer” or “Preacher” (קֹהֶלֶת, Qoheleth). He says that he’s the “Son of David, King in Jerusalem” (Eccl 1:1). Whereas there’s a lot debate amongst students, this description factors definitively to Solomon.
Solomon’s in depth life expertise matches the writer’s seek for that means within the e-book. Solomon was referred to as the wisest man within the historical world (1 Kgs 4:29–30). But he turned a grasping, lustful, idolatrous idiot who violated kingly instructions (1 Kgs 11; cf. Deut 17:14–20). He indulged each want. He amassed unimaginable wealth, married a whole lot of wives, and in addition stored concubines.
Custom suggests Ecclesiastes is an older, repentant Solomon reflecting on his errors. His authority is huge as a result of he really “had all of it and tried all the things.”
Style: knowledge literature
Ecclesiastes matches squarely into the knowledge literature of the Outdated Testomony. The e-book’s conclusion to concern God and preserve his instructions (Eccl 12:9–14) echoes Proverbs. Knowledge resides in line with God’s design, and Solomon demonstrates that knowledge is best than folly as a result of it protects life (e.g., Eccl 7:11–12).
Nevertheless, the e-book does push again on any simplistic view of knowledge, displaying that gaining knowledge is simply relative. The sensible and the idiot share the identical destiny: demise (Eccl 2:12–17).
Construction: frame-narrative
Lastly, we should grasp one thing of the e-book’s construction.
In Ecclesiastes, we discover a collection of first-person observations made by the Preacher (1:12–12:7) which are framed by the ideas of a narrator within the conclusion who speaks within the third individual. (There is no such thing as a cause to conclude that it’s anybody apart from Solomon utilizing a rhetorical system.)
The awful conclusions discovered all through the e-book will solely be understood accurately when wrapped up on this hopeful conclusion (Eccl 12:8–14).
Ecclesiastes’s purposeful pessimism
Is Ecclesiastes pessimistic or is it reasonable? The e-book actually delivers a really bleak outlook on life. It gives realism about existence in a cursed world.
Nevertheless, this realism is purposefully given by God. We reside east of Eden in a futile, meaningless world. The e-book’s seeming pessimism goals to drive us towards the one significant conclusion: discovering satisfaction and contentment in God.
The e-book’s seeming pessimism goals to drive us towards discovering satisfaction and contentment in God.
Core prognosis: “all is vainness”
The primary message of Ecclesiastes is stark: Every part is meaningless with out Jesus. Solomon makes use of the Hebrew superlative type (stacking phrases) to say life is “hevel of hevels” (Eccl 1:2; 12:8). Life is “as meaningless as potential.”
We have to perceive what הֶבֶל (hevel) means, since it’s used thirty-eight occasions within the e-book. It actually means “breath” or “vapor,” which might suggest that life is frail or fleeting. Metaphorically, hevel can convey the concepts that life is useless, futile, pointless, complicated, or meaningless.
Curtailed perspective: “underneath the solar”
The Preacher reached this painful conclusion by analyzing life “underneath the solar” (Eccl 1:3, 9, 14, and so on.). This implies he limits his observations to an earthly perspective.
If this cursed world is all there’s—no God, no afterlife, no remaining judgment—then all the things we do is meaningless. In so doing, the e-book exposes the boundaries of life with out Christ.
Ecclesiastes’s main themes—see straight beneath—then movement from this prognosis.
Tune into Bobby Jamieson’s interview on the that means and message of Ecclesiastes.
How Ecclesiastes cries out for Christ
So does Ecclesiastes level to Jesus? Sure, it’s basically a messianic e-book.
Ecclesiastes anticipates the gospel by diagnosing an issue solely the gospel can resolve. We’re morally damaged. What’s crooked can’t be made straight by us. Our toil yields no revenue. We’re caught in a relentless cycle. Then we die. This reveals our acute want for Christ.
Let’s study a few of Ecclesiastes’s main themes—or tensions—and the way they resolve in Christ.
1. Life underneath the curse
Life is characterised by burdened toil. Though Ecclesiastes isn’t straight quoted within the New Testomony, Romans 8:20, which speaks of creation being subjected to futility (Greek ματαιότης), appears to be an allusion to the hevel of Ecclesiastes. Creation itself was subjected to futility due to human sin.
On this approach, Ecclesiastes pertains to the New Testomony by getting ready the way in which for the gospel. It exhibits the human situation aside from the Redeemer. The New Testomony confirms Ecclesiastes’s backdrop of a damaged world groaning for rescue in Christ.
2. Trapped between time and eternity
The themes of time and eternity considerably form the message of Ecclesiastes.
We’re haunted by the fleeting nature of time. Time frustrates all of us. Solomon describes the inevitable cycles of life: a time to be born and a time to die (Eccl 3). Each motion has an appointed time. The fourteen pairs of opposites (weep/chuckle, kill/heal, and so on.) on this chapter describe the total scope of human expertise.
On this cursed world, that is all there’s: These cyclical actions cancel one another out. Nothing is gained. Each delivery ends in demise, and all our accomplishments finally dissolve. Life is a rut. Just like the film Groundhog Day, we’re trapped in repetitive cycles of monotony and redundancy. Our exercise yields no lasting revenue or “internet achieve” (cf. Eccl 1:3).
But, God has positioned eternity into man’s coronary heart (Eccl 3:11). We all know that this life just isn’t all there’s. We lengthy for extra. We’re suspended between time and eternity. The issue is that man can’t discover out God’s full plan from starting to finish. Our information is restricted.
God makes use of this stress, frustration, and burden to drive us to him. Jesus entered this depressing world, suffered rejection, and took the curse on himself. This provides us hope even after we undergo uncertainty and disappointment.
As a result of God is in management and works all issues collectively for our good (Rom 8:28), we might be assured even amidst the futility and confusion. God works each prosperity and adversity into his plan. God mixes pleasure and ache to adapt us into the picture of Christ. We belief him as a result of he’s sovereign.
3. From mortality to resurrection
Ecclesiastes repeatedly reminds us that demise cancels all our labor. No matter we obtain or accumulate on this life, demise renders it vainness (2:18–23; 3:19–20; 9:2–3).
But, due to Christ, the ultimate phrase just isn’t returning to the mud (Eccl 12:7; cf. Gen 3:17–20). Jesus delivered us from demise and didn’t decay. He guarantees us everlasting life and life to the total proper now. Our final hope is now resurrection. Thus, in Christ, our day by day duties (scrubbing dishes, altering diapers) turn into significant, as acts of faithfulness in his kingdom (1 Cor 15:58; cf. Matt 25:14–30).
But our present mortality nonetheless urges us to recollect our Creator within the days of our youth (Eccl 12:1). We should keep away from suspending enjoyment or repentance. We must always ponder demise as a result of it makes life treasured and drives us to reside correctly. We solely have a set variety of days. We should seize them (see Eccl 2:24–26; 3:12–13; 5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7–10; 11:9–10).
4. The futility of idolatry
Folks search success in created issues somewhat than the Creator. Good issues (pleasure, success, cash) flip into dangerous issues once they turn into final issues. We lengthy for satisfaction that cash, pleasure, success, studying, and politics can’t give. Solomon proved that hedonism, greed, and information can’t fulfill (Eccl 2). They all the time disappoint and enslave us.
We are able to expose the vacancy of those pursuits—the hollowness of the American Dream itself. Scripture reveals that those that chase wealth won’t ever have sufficient, will entice parasites, and can lose their sleep and safety (Eccl 5:10–14).
As an alternative, success is discovered solely in being united to Christ by religion. Folks pursue cash, pleasure, and possessions, but their hearts are nonetheless stressed. Augustine captured this: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are stressed till they relaxation in Thee.” Absolutely happy in our Creator, we discover life eternal and life to the total.
5. Oppression and injustice
Solomon repeatedly observes oppression all through the e-book (e.g., Eccl 3:16; 4:1). The depraved prosper whereas the righteous undergo (7:15; 8:14). This actuality of injustice feels insufferable—an agonizing absurdity of human existence “underneath the solar.”
Our eager for justice cries out for King Jesus. He’ll set all issues proper on the remaining judgment.
6. The ultimate judgment
And that remaining judgment is our motivation to belief and obey God (Eccl 12:14).
The truth of judgment is supposed to crush us. The Preacher makes it clear that we’ve got all sinned and didn’t preserve God’s instructions (Eccl 7:20; cf. 12:13). We’re uncovered sinners, and even our secret issues will probably be dropped at gentle (12:14; cf. Mark 4:21–23). For the reason that wages of sin is demise (Rom 6:23), demise involves us all (Eccl 9:2). We face God’s disapproval.
However Christ rescues us by residing the superbly obedient life we didn’t reside. He took the curse of sin, futility, and demise upon himself (Gal 3:13).
7. The concern of God
The true theological bridge from Ecclesiastes to Christ is discovered within the remaining instruction: “Worry God and preserve his commandments, for that is the entire obligation of man” (Eccl 12:13). This concern of God relates on to following Christ.
We method God, not with manipulation or rote ritual, however with assured reverence (Eccl 5:1–7). Jesus, the higher Priest and Sacrifice, tore the veil, giving us boldness to enter God’s presence. We should draw close to, clinging to grace, serving God with reverence and awe (Heb 12:28–29). We obey, to not be accepted, however as a result of we’re already accepted in Christ.
8. The better Solomon, true knowledge
Ecclesiastes appears ahead to Jesus, who’s the true and higher Solomon (Matt 12:42). He completely embodies knowledge. The e-book cries out for a greater King who can redeem creation from the curse.
Solomon himself is a unfavorable sort. He failed to ascertain the Davidic kingdom attributable to his idolatry and rebel in opposition to the legislation. This failure factors ahead to the sensible King promised in Isaiah 11—Jesus—who establishes his kingdom with knowledge.
Jesus is typified by the “poor sensible man” who delivered the town by his knowledge however was despised and forgotten (Eccl 9:13–16). Jesus is the rejected Savior we scorn, the knowledge of God made foolishness to the world.
Likewise, the conclusion mentions that the phrases of the sensible are given by the “One Shepherd” (Eccl 12:11). This title is used completely for the Messiah elsewhere in Scripture (Ezek 34:23).
Use Logos’s Sermon Builder to prep and ship your Ecclesiastes sermons. Begin your free trial!
Sensible recommendation for preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes
So how can we undertake a Christ-centered method to preaching and educating Ecclesiastes?
- Exegetical: A trustworthy method should be rooted in exposition. We should precisely train the textual content.
- Theological: We should ask key questions of each textual content: What does this train about God? What does this train about fallen man? How does this textual content level to Jesus?
- Canonical: We should faithfully join the themes of vainness (see above) to the gospel with out forcing it. We present that the place the Preacher finds failure and longing, Christ gives success.
Though we prioritize content material—imparting information and fact (Eccl 12:9–10)—supply can be essential. Preachers ought to keep away from the next errors:
- Dullness: Don’t bore individuals with the Bible. Preaching needs to be “logic on fireplace”—eloquent cause mixed with non secular ardour.
- Self-help: Don’t supply mere “ethical or psychological pep talks.” Don’t linger too lengthy on the “Vainness Truthful of Data”; the purpose is non secular motion resulting in Christlikeness.
- Legalism: Don’t train that pleasure needs to be prevented. God just isn’t a “cosmic killjoy.” He created intercourse, meals, and drink to be loved as presents. We should train individuals to get pleasure from these presents rightly (with out turning them into idols), happy in Christ alone (e.g., Eccl 2:24–25). In Christ, we’re happy and revel in God’s presents. This pleasure is a present of grace.
Conclusion
Ecclesiastes teaches us that we should flip from our vainness and discover our relaxation and that means within the One Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who got here to “make his blessings movement far because the curse is discovered,” as Isaac Watts’s hymn put it. On this approach, by directing us to Christ, Ecclesiastes shapes Christian worship, gratitude, and hope.
Sources for preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes
Associated content material
