Ecclesiastes

A Study Guide for Finding Meaning in a Meaningless World

Traditionally attributed to Solomon, called “the Preacher” or “Qoheleth” (Ecclesiastes 1:1).
Written near the end of his life, reflecting on all he had pursued—wisdom, pleasure, wealth, accomplishments—and how empty it felt apart from God.
Repeated phrase: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

Reflection: This book is brutally honest—life under the sun can feel pointless, unless you’re looking beyond it.

Solomon explores every pursuit—knowledge, laughter, luxury, hard work—and finds it all meaningless without God (Ecclesiastes 1–2).
Even wisdom brings grief, and pleasure doesn’t satisfy.
“What does man gain by all the toil?” becomes a recurring question.

Takeaway: What you do may impress others—but only what’s rooted in God will endure.

Ecclesiastes 3 offers the famous poem: “There is a time for everything under heaven.”
Life is full of rhythms—joy and pain, gain and loss, building and breaking.
God has “put eternity in man’s heart” (3:11), yet we can’t fully grasp His plan.

Lesson: Trust God’s timing, even when you can’t trace His reasons.

The Preacher notices injustice, oppression, envy, and inequality (Chapters 4–5).
Power often goes to the wrong people, and life seems upside-down.
Yet we’re reminded: “God is in heaven and you are on earth. Let your words be few.” (5:2)

Truth: Life under the sun is broken—but God isn’t blind to it, and judgment will come.

Solomon had more than anyone, but wealth didn’t satisfy (Ecclesiastes 5:10–6:12).
Riches can disappear, and even if they don’t, they never fill the soul.
True joy is a gift from God, not the result of accumulation.

Reminder: You can fill your hands and still have an empty heart.

The book gives many practical reflections: listen more than you speak, fear God, avoid extremes, and don’t live for man’s approval (Chapters 7–9).
Death comes to all—wise and foolish, rich and poor. What matters is how we live now.
“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning…” (7:4)

Challenge: Don’t waste your time chasing what won’t matter at your funeral.

Chapter 11 urges bold generosity and trust in God’s outcomes: “Cast your bread upon the waters…”
Don’t wait for perfect conditions—serve, give, live now.

Encouragement: Life is short. Use it to plant seeds that matter forever.

The final chapter (12) poetically describes aging and death.
The conclusion is clear: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (12:13).

Bottom Line: Life is confusing, but the purpose is simple—know and honor the God who made you.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 – “Vanity of vanities… all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season…”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time…”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money…”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”