Jesus Christ, Our Great God & Savior - Outline of Ecclesiastes

Overview and Outline of Ecclesiastes

The book of Ecclesiastes has been the point of much controversy and discussion. Bruce Waltke has stated: "The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult books in the entire Word of God." The span of interpretation of this book ranges from taking it all as Inspired Wisdom to taking it all, except the end, as man's wisdom. Many have struggled to find in the book a unifying cord, other than the utter vanity of life. But the book is not about the utter vanity of life, in any absolute sense. Rather, the book looks at life apart from God. Even when God is brought in, He is seen in relation to life, not in relation to eternity. This does not change until the very end of the book, where the change is sudden and dramatic.

I see the book as one sermon built upon one theme. Verse 1 introduces us to the book and tells us that the book was written by one Qohelet, translated "Preacher," who was the son of David and king in Jerusalem. This was Solomon. His theme is given in verses 2-3. He first introduces a "truth" statement that will then be tested throughout the book. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." He next asks a question based upon that truth statement. "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?" The remainder of the book builds on this truth statement and question until we reach the challenging climax in Chapter 12.

Look at these with me.

1:4-11 Life is circular, not linear - ultimately there is no progress.
1:12-15 Everything one does is vanity. 14
1:16-18 I sought to know wisdom and folly and perceived it to be vanity. 17
2:1-11 I sought pleasure and found vanity. 11
2:12-26 I considered wisdom and found the wise no better than the fool - it's vanity. 17, 21, 23. 26
3:1-8 Everything has its own time.
3:9-22 But what profit is any of it? We all go to the same dust - we cannot know after us. 20
4:1-3 Oppression teaches that it is better not to have lived.
4:4-8 Envy and covetousness are vain and evil.
4:9-12 Friendship is desirable,
4:13-16 but friendship with a fool is not, even if he is the king.
5:1-7 Keep your words few because words multiply vanity. Fear God.
5:8-6:12 Those who seek riches find vanity.
7:1-15 There is a wisdom for living but it may not extend life.
7:16-8:9 For this reason, live moderately, not with extremes,
8:10-9:6 for death is the leveler of all.
9:7-12 The great conclusion under the sun is to live up this vain life all the days of your vanity. This is all there is.
9:13-12:8 There is a wisdom under the sun, but it all is ultimate vanity. (And there is a day of judgment. 11:9-12:8)
12:9-12 True wisdom looks above the sun. The duty and profit of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.

Vanity is mentioned 38 times in this book and only 35 times in all of the rest of the Old Testament. "God" appears 41 times. "LORD" is never mentioned. "Vanity and longing for spirit" appears 7 times (1:14; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 16; 6:9). "This also is vanity" appears 12 times (2:19, 21, 23, 26; 4:4, 8, 16; 5:9; 6:9; 7:6; 8:10, 14). "All is vanity" appears 6 times (1:2, 14; 2:11, 17; 3:19; 12:8). And "vanity of vanities" appears 3 times (1:2[2]; 12:8). Three times the question is raised, "What profit?" (or advantage) (1:3; 3:9; 5:15) In 2:11 we get the answer: there is no profit. Eat and drink (2:24; 3:13, 22; 5:18-19; 8:15; 9:7-9; 11:9).

Date: 935 B.C.

Divisions: The book of Ecclesiastes may be divided as follows:

Introduction 1:1

The Theme 1:2-3

All is Vanity 1:4-6:12

Living Wisely in a Vain Life 7:1-12:8

The Conclusion 12:9-14

Key Idea: Under the sun
The phrase appears 29 times (1:3, 9, 14; 2:11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22; 3:16; 4:1, 3, 7, 15; 5:13, 18; 6:1, 12; 8:9, 15[2], 17; 9:3, 6, 9[2], 11, 13; 10:5). The "truth" statement is true for activities solely "under the sun."

Key Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Key Lesson: Life, to have meaning, must be lived in the Fear of God.