What Good is the Book of Ecclesiastes?

This book seems to be a strange choice for inclusion into the canon of Scripture. The tone alone is depressing. So what possible edification can we receive from such a seemingly hopeless missive?

King Solomon wrote this book to warn his son and us all against materialism. For example, there are times when people per sue what we call the good life but somebody else benefits from their work. Ecclesiastes 2:21 (BBE) reads, "Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This again is to no purpose and a great evil.  What does a man get for all his work, and for the weight of care with which he has done his work under the sun?"

Of course this doesn't mean we should be lazy. Scripture contains many admonishments against sloth. Even Solomon answers his own question. Ecclesiastes 2:24 (BBE) reminds us that, "There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God." This applies to women as well.

Another wise warning from Solomon comes from Ecclesiastes 4:8 (BBE) which tells us, "It is one who is by himself, without a second, and without son or brother; but there is no end to all his work, and he has never enough of wealth. 'For whom, then, am I working and keeping myself from pleasure?' This again is to no purpose, and a bitter work."

Furthermore, Solomon warns that wealth for wealth's sake is folly. Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 (BBE) admonishes, "There is a great evil which I have seen under the sun--wealth kept by the owner to be his downfall. And I saw the destruction of his wealth by an evil chance; and when he became the father of a son he had nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother at birth, so does he go again; he gets from his work no reward which he may take away in his hand."

Solomon also dealt with the aging process in Ecclesiastes 12:1 (BBE). He reminds young folks that, "1   Let your mind be turned to your Maker in the days of your strength, while the evil days come not, and the years are far away when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them;'"

After what seems like a long and depressing rant, Solomon concludes with hope. Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 14 (BBE) tell us, "This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man. God will be judge of every work, with every secret thing, good or evil."

I'll be touching on the subject of why we suffer in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? We can't abide anybody having the blues so we try to fix them with Band-Aids of platitudes. But the scriptures are filled with people lamenting their situation yet still hoping in God.
What we tend to forget is that suffering is used by the Father to accomplish his glory and our eventual good.

My Saturday Song post will appeal to folks who love soft rock and who have lost beloved friends or family members.