Jesus in Ecclesiastes

Definitions

“Hevel” is Hebrew word that literally is smoke, vapor, mist. It is a work picture that means futile, confusing, temporary, vanity. We see it translated as “futility” in the CSB or “vanity” in the ESV. (See verse 2)

“Under the Sun” is a phrase we will see often in this book. It is describing life on earth from a purely temporal perspective, instead of an eternal one. (See verse 3)

Weariness of Time

Eccl 1:4 “A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.”

Eccl 1:11 “There is no remembrance of those who came before; and of those who will come after there will also be no remembrance by those who follow them.”

Dissatisfaction

Eccl 1:8-9 “All things are wearisome, more than anyone can say. The eye is not satisfied by seeing or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.”

Death

Eccl 3:19 “For the fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile.”

Chance

Eccl 8:14 “There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.”

The Teacher’s Conclusion

Eccl 12:13-14 “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”

Jesus take us “Over the Sun” and clears the Hevel

Hope of Resurrected Life

2 Cor 5:1-5 “For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.”

Hope of a Satisfied Life

John 4:14 “But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.””

Phil 4:10-13 “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”