Untitled Sermon (2)

Solomon emerges as the quintessential “wisest man in the world” through a remarkable divine endowment. When God offered him anything, Solomon humbly requested “a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil.” God was so pleased with this request that He promised Solomon “a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again”. (1 Kings 3:5–14)

His wisdom manifested in extraordinary ways: God gave him insight “as vast as the sand on the seashore”, surpassing the wisdom of all surrounding nations. Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs, and demonstrated comprehensive knowledge about nature—from trees and cedars to animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. His reputation was so profound that “emissaries of all peoples” were sent by kings worldwide to hear his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29–34). Even the Queen of Sheba confirmed that his wisdom “far exceed[ed] the report” she had heard (1 Kings 10:1–9). Ultimately, Solomon understood that true wisdom begins with “the fear of the LORD”, which is “the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:1–7). Interestingly, Jesus would later reference Solomon’s wisdom, noting that “something greater than Solomon is here” (Matt 12:42; Luke 11:31)—a profound theological hint at Christ’s ultimate wisdom.

Ecclesiastes is a lengthy reflection on the meaning of life and the meaninglessness of many human pursuits. The author examines the value of labor, wealth, possessions, food and drink, sensual pleasure, intellectual stimulation, power, and more, and finds them all wanting. Life is full of injustice and adversity. A God-centered life is the only worthwhile pursuit.

Ecclesiastes, Book of. OT book of wisdom literature. Ecclesiastes is philosophical in character, posing deep questions about the meaning and nature of human existence.

“Ecclesiastes” is the Greek title for the book and has come into English from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the OT). In keeping with an early Jewish practice of adopting the first few words of a book as the title, the Hebrew title of Ecclesiastes is “The Words of Qoheleth, the Son of David, King in Jerusalem.” It is also known simply as “Qoheleth.”

The term “Qoheleth” is the author’s title for himself throughout the book (1:1, 2, 12; 7:27; 12:8–10). It is the Hebrew participial form of a verb meaning “to assemble,” and thus it seems to designate one who speaks in an assembly. The word has often been translated “the preacher” in English. Because of the philosophical nature of the book, however, the title possibly indicates the author’s function or station as a leader in the community of wise men.

Author. The authorship of Ecclesiastes presents complex questions, on which biblical scholars disagree. Early Jewish tradition was divided over the issue, ascribing the book to King Hezekiah and his school as well as to King Solomon.

Internal evidence is often appealed to…