The Godless v. The Eternals

Ecclesiastes is someone who invokes others to come outside. Eklesia  is the greek word for assembly. Ekklesiastes is the official spokesperson in an assembly. The book of Ecclesiastes presents a pessimist overview of life, away from God.  The never ending cycles of life: nature, wisdom, pleasure, and work, which are meaningless.

I- The Crisis of the Human Being

a. The pursuit of purpose and meaning :

Because of this longing, humans have developed many religions and philosophies like Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Satanism, Stoicism, Marxism, etc. King Solomon had the best of everything. There wasn't a person wiser or richer than him. So he embarked in the quest of searching and finding answers for the crisis of men. There isn't a better philosophy read than the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible.

II. The Book's theme: Vanity

Something that is vane is useless, futile, frustrating, and transitory. Mataiotes, the greek word for vanity, means an excessive believe and trust in one's own abilities or the attraction cause towards others. It's synonyms with arrogance, spoiled, and an exaggerate pride or arrogance. Vanity makes us put our trust in earthly things. It makes of feel we don't need God because our strength is sufficient, that we are wise.

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

III-Cycles: Humans live worried 

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. Ecclesiastes 1:3-4

The unwise work and work. It is an obsession for them. In the end, they won't be able to take the riches they have acquired to the tomb. His or her sons and daughters will end up spending the money they have accumulated over many years of toil.

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:26

As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. Ecclesiastes 5:15

But the  wise man works towards eternity. The meaning and purpose of this life are the hope we have for the next life. Therefore in this life, we persevere in the process of sanctification, after coming to Christ.

So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:8

We  must find, in the Lord, the satisfaction of our lives because nothing in this world could satisfy us. Think about it: sex, food, new things, riches, all things imaginable could make us happy for a little while but never in the long run. These things are more of a distraction and a waste of time.

IV-Humans are like plants

for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers, and the flower falls, 

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but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

King Solomon had the best of everything, but he became tired of all pleasures, even  laughing. 

 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” Ecclesiastes 2:2

V- Conclusion 

Ecclesiastes is a warning against hedonists. 

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.  

Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Lesson 1:

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, Ecclesiastes 12:1-2

Lesson 2: 

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14