This week, I’m shamelessly plugging my favorite book of the Bible because I think it’s been largely misunderstood and under-loved. Although it’s traditionally attributed to Solomon, its authorship is uncertain. And its apparent pessimism makes it a challenge to read and integrate with the rest of Scripture. As a result, many people might be missing out on a beautiful part of the Bible rich with feeling and meaning.
Why does Ecclesiastes get such a bad rap? For one thing, it’s part of the canon of Scripture known as the ‘wisdom books.’ If we’re honest, we tend to use the wisdom books differently than more narrative-based books like the Gospels, Acts, Genesis, and the history books. Rather than being read from beginning to end, wisdom books like Proverbs, Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes tend to get picked apart for individual verses. They offer some great one-liners for greeting cards, inspiring billboards, etc. But Ecclesiastes really has to be approached in context as a cohesive whole.
In addition to being a wisdom book, Ecclesiastes has a reputation for being, well…a bit of a downer. After all, “Meaningless! Meaningless!”, “Utterly Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” (1:2)? How does that fit with faith in the God portrayed throughout the Bible as one of wisdom, and purpose, and joy?
Although it can be a challenging read, here is my case for why Ecclesiastes should be included in every Christian’s Bible study plan.
- It’s full of beautiful language.
In my opinion, Ecclesiastes is one of the most beautifully written texts in the Bible. There is a cadence and poetry as well as a bittersweet tone to the writing. Take a look at the parallelism in this well-known passage:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (3:1-8)
Ecclesiastes is full of poetic passages like this. In fact, I highly recommend reading the book aloud to get the full benefit of the beautiful language.
- It’s brutally honest.
The author of Ecclesiastes, called the Teacher, doesn’t shy away from negative feelings. He’s sometimes pessimistic, doubtful, outraged, discouraged. He’s not always sure of the right course to take in life. All of this makes the author seem like a real person, searching for wisdom. For example, look at 8:16-17:
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
and 11:7-8:
Light is sweet,
and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
for there will be many.
Everything to come is meaningless.
There’s no mincing of words here. Life isn’t always sunshine and good things, and the author gets this. He also admits when he doesn’t understand something. Too often, Christians feel pressured into denying our negative feelings because we’re supposed to be joyful all the time. We’re not supposed to have doubts. So we keep quiet and suffer in silence. But instead, the Teacher honestly talks about disillusionment, doubt, and discouragement, giving us permission to do so as well.
- It ends with a clear message.
But he doesn’t end mired in doubt. Ecclesiastes is the story of someone searching for wisdom, honestly expressing doubts, and testing different ways of living. On that point, not everything the Teacher did should be emulated. (There’s a sense of “I tried this, don’t do that” in some passages. See the first part of chapter 2.) However, ultimately, the Teacher comes to the conclusion that the best way to live is by following God. Only a life centered on God will ultimately have meaning. Here is his conclusion:
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind. (12:13)
I once thought of Ecclesiastes as unnecessarily pessimistic and depressing. But once I started to have real questions of my own, Ecclesiastes quickly became relatable and one of my favorite books. To me, the message of Ecclesiastes is one of hope. We need not fear honest questioning. The truth can withstand it. When the Teacher of Ecclesiastes had searched out wisdom on earth and found it meaningless, he ultimately found meaning in fearing God and keeping His commandments. If you are searching for wisdom, it may be helpful to read an account of someone in the Bible doing the same.
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