Eric Clapton: \u201cI was a millionaire. I had beautiful women in my life. I had cars, houses, and on a daily basis I wanted to commit suicide.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes emphasizes the human inability to find ultimate satisfaction and happiness in this world. Apart from Christ such fulfillment is impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Theological Themes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Theology Proper<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nAlthough Ecclesiastes references \u201cGod\u201d 36 times, he always uses the general name \u201cElohim\u201d and not the covenant name \u201cYHWH.\u201d This God is the Creator (11:5, 12:1); active in human affairs (5:18, 6:2, 7:14); to be feared (3:14, 5:7, 7:18, 8:12, 12:13); the judge of the righteous and the wicked (3:17, 11:9); worthy of reverence (5:1-4); sovereign (7:13, 8:15, 9:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hamartiology<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cEvil\u201d is mentioned 19 times. Many of these references describe the sinful human condition: the evil deeds of men (4:3); how fools are ignorant of their evil works (5:1); sinful speech (5:6); the sinner who does evil (8:12). There is no call to confession or repentance in the book, but there is clear acknowledgement that evil will be judged by God (12:14). Duane Garrett suggests that the book presents God\u2019s relationship with humanity after the Fall. That means, Ecclesiastes is descriptive of what became of Adam\/humanity as a result of sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christology<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is no clear reference or allusion to the Messiah. But the description of a world that is meaningless apart from God underscores the need of a Redeemer. Ecclesiastes presents an unparalleled glimpse into the hopelessness of the human condition. All of humanity lives under the curse, whether rich or poor, weak or powerful. To be able to look to the Savior who has \u201credeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us\u201d (Gal. 3:13) is indescribably wonderful. It is for this reason that the Puritans viewed the book as evangelistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I have never preached through the entirety of Ecclesiastes. Instead, I have utilized it in a more thematic series. The following is a five-part series that anchors each sermon to one chapter in Ecclesiastes. Even though the subject of each sermon is addressed in other places in the book, I limited myself to what was in that particular text. In each case, I appealed to the ultimate satisfaction found in Christ as the only solution for meaninglessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The series title was: Detour Signs – Side-streets to True Satisfaction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes 1\u2014Education Avenue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe \u201cPreacher\u201d applied himself with focused, disciplined study to figure out the mysteries of life. He investigated from all sides. He concludes that God has dropped a staggering, heavy burden on humanity. What is it? Things are broken and we can\u2019t fix them. No matter how much we learn or discover it won\u2019t solve the problem. Things go wrong, people fail, life is imperfect. That which is \u201ccrooked\u201d (v.15) cannot be straightened. Twistedness can\u2019t be solved through education, street smarts, technology, knowledge, or intellect. No matter how many answers you come up with, you can\u2019t fix what\u2019s fundamentally wrong. Nor can you supply what is lacking, missing. There are mysteries and life issues beyond human reach. No degree, nor scientific advancement can solve it. Wisdom helps us understand the world, but doesn\u2019t allow us to control it. You can never know enough to bring true satisfaction, so trust the God who does.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes 2\u2014Pleasure Drive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe \u201cPreacher\u201d had: projects and playmates; alcohol and arts; comedy and construction; trees and treasure; music and merriment; feasts and foolishness; water parks and wealth; slaves and sex. He tested the good life and determined that pleasure cannot provide lasting meaningful and ultimate satisfaction. With the ability to buy every single thing his heart desired, he denied himself nothing. There was some reward and pleasure that came from buildings, power, and wealth, but nothing was lasting. Life was still frustrating and incomplete. That road left an empty shell. Those efforts were like a wisp of smoke. In 2:26, he acknowledges the difference between seeking pleasure and seeking God as the source of pleasure. When you acknowledge and seek God as the source of pleasure, he gives you gifts that satisfy\u2014wisdom, knowledge and joy. If you focus on accumulating and acquiring in this visible world, you will know God\u2019s judgment\u2014lack of satisfaction and joy. God-pleasers get it all in the end. Not in this life, but in the life to come. Seek God, and pleasure follows.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes 3\u2014Eternity Boulevard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nEverything is beautiful in its time, but it passes, fades, and deteriorates. So we are stuck in time; frustrated with our inability to satisfy the eternity question. Unable to scratch what itches most. Incapable of enjoying everything we see to its fullest extent. There\u2019s a hunger in our spirit for the ideal, the perfect, the absolute good. Even the best of things in their beauty don\u2019t quite make it. The human response is to go off in search of other loves, other ways to scratch the itch, or fulfill the desire. We don\u2019t realize that we were created with an \u201ceverness\u201d which cannot be satisfied with other things. Satisfaction can only be found in Christ, and ultimately realized in the place he has gone to prepare for us. The best God has for us isn\u2019t found on this planet. In heaven, God satisfies our \u201ceverness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes 5\u2014Material Lane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe \u201cPreacher\u201d lists four outcomes of loving money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) No Satisfaction, v.10. Your craving won\u2019t be satisfied. Acquiring money is a never ending task. When that desire for wealth and love for goods is our goal it only adds to the meaninglessness of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) Hangers-on, v.11. Money attracts a crowd. You can\u2019t really enjoy it because too many others want a piece. At the other extreme you may learn to trust no one, fearful of their motives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) Sleeplessness, v.12. The guy who lives paycheck to paycheck has a better chance of relaxing. The rich man has less ability to relax. Abundance can rob you of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Devastation When You Lose It, vv.13-17. Holding on to wealth is difficult in life and impossible in death\u2014so you chase the wind. You can\u2019t grasp the wind. The danger in your material possessions is that they can be obstacles to recognizing your absolute need for God. Enjoying whatever you have, little or much, is a gift only God can give.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nEcclesiastes 11:9-12:14\u2014Youth Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGod will hold you accountable for how you spend your life. Don\u2019t live in worry, grief, or irritation. You could easily be consumed with the problems of this world. You must care and take action as God leads, but to constantly dwell on all the negatives in this world would be debilitating. Get rid of what is bad for your body. Enjoy life without doing those things God says are wrong. Enjoy youth, but as great as youthfulness is, know that it will end. It doesn\u2019t give meaning to life. Pursuing and prizing youth is a dead end, it won\u2019t satisfy. Assurance of where you will spend eternity makes it possible to enjoy life at every age.<\/em> Life is short, fear God.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMy experience in editing\/reviewing thousands of sermons from hundreds of preachers, reveals some common flaws. The two major flaws are: failure to point to Jesus; and failure to ground the sermon in the text. Ecclesiastes challenged my preaching in both ways. A sermon is disconnected from the text when the preacher brings in other texts as a means of understanding the sermon text. Before determining what God has said through that Scripture, to that people, in that time, other Scripture is utilized to interpret, explain, or expand. That fails to do justice to the sermon text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my series on Ecclesiastes, I had to constantly resist the urge to short-circuit my interpretation of the book by prematurely running to other Scripture. Ultimately, I must point to the Jesus who ultimately satisfies, but not before understanding the unique perspective of the \u201cPreacher,\u201d and properly analyzing the lessons offered in context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the personal ways this series impacted me was about aging. After telling thousands of people in person, and more through radio and television, that I would never even color my grey hair, I was obligated to keep my word. In saying that, I was not making a moral judgment on those who might want to hide wrinkles or other signs of age. This was a public declaration that I was not going to desperately cling to my youth. It sprang from my study of Ecclesiastes. But honestly, it was only a couple of years later, when the temptation to look younger hit hard. The grey had gone from making me look distinguished, to being the predominate color of my hair. I needed the reminder of the \u201cPreacher\u201d that this was all vanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a more positive side, I also became freer to enjoy the blessings of life. It is one thing not to look for ultimate satisfaction in creation, success, food, drink, pleasure, art, or technology. It is another thing to enjoy all those aspects of life, within God\u2019s boundaries, as gifts from his hand. Ecclesiastes helped widen my once narrow perspective of how a Christian can appreciate life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, the series had the following impact on the congregation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- It called people toward \u201ceverness.\u201d I believe this is a word I coined. It was useful to referring to the longing we all have for the eternal, which is satisfied only in heaven.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It urged people away from dependence on things and toward God. I have pastored in some wealthy, highly educated communities. \u201cAffluenza\u201d is very real. Ecclesiastes is a necessary counterbalance to that prevalent disease.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It invited people to enjoy life in a way that increased their enjoyment of God.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It illustrated the need for Jesus to satisfy all those longings we try to fill with other things. Pointing to the one who is the bread, water, and source of real life is every preacher\u2019s main task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ray Stedman gives this conclusion to the book: \u201cThe record is plain for all to see. Life without God is dull, empty, vain. Life with him is full and satisfying. Even the tears and pain have meaning and value when we see they are chosen by Him. The purpose behind it all is the increase of joy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commentaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDuane Garrett, The New American Commentary: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture<\/em> (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Press, 2001).<\/p>\n\n\n\nDerek Kidner, The Message of Ecclesiastes: The Bible Speaks Today. J.A. Motyer, Series Editor <\/em>(Downer\u2019s Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1976).<\/p>\n\n\n\nTremper Longman III, The Book of Ecclesiastes: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament <\/em>(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).<\/p>\n\n\n\nIain Provan, Ecclesiastes\/Song of Songs: The NIV Application Commentary <\/em>(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Historical Background Traditionally, Ecclesiastes is understood to be authored by King Solomon (1010-931 BC). Taking 1:1 at face value, these are the words of the \u201cPreacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.\u201d Given the contents of the book, and the experiences of the \u201cpreacher,\u201d Solomon seems the best candidate of all of David\u2019s sons. Read more…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":128,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"tax_ctp_authors":[2008],"tax_ctp_books":[],"tax_ctp_categories":[165],"tax_ctp_field_guide_subcategory":[147],"tax_ctp_field_guides":[260],"tax_ctp_format":[148],"tax_ctp_multimedia":[],"tax_ctp_point_editor":[],"tax_publications":[140],"tax_ctp_tags":[3430,3639,3841,3912,4949,5154],"tax_ctp_topics":[],"class_list":["post-26151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tax_ctp_authors-john-henry-beukema","tax_publications-ct-pastors","tax_ctp_tags-application","tax_ctp_tags-commentaries","tax_ctp_tags-ecclesiastes","tax_ctp_tags-exegesis","tax_ctp_tags-sermon-series","tax_ctp_tags-theology"],"acf":{"scripture_references":null},"yoast_head":"\nPreaching on Ecclesiastes - CT Pastors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Historical Background Traditionally, Ecclesiastes is understood to be authored by King Solomon (1010-931 BC). 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