Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes

Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes

In the arrangement of the Hebrew Bible, Ecclesiastes is the last poetic and wisdom book within the Writings division of the Old Testament. It has been placed there as the fourth of the five Megilloth (“Scrolls,” i.e., festival scrolls), each of which is read during a different sacred occasion. In Jewish tradition, Ecclesiastes is read on the Sabbath during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Table of Contents

Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16

17 minutes
Problems of injustice, oppression and self-focused toil

Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:3

12 minutes
None can comprehend God’s work in everyone’s lives, the righteous and wicked having similar experiences

Ecclesiastes 12:8-12

15 minutes
Wisdom gathered yet from God, keep focus on what He has revealed

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

8 minutes
Wealth and labor are no benefit of themselves

Ecclesiastes 9:4-10

29 minutes
This physical life will end, so live joyfully now and do whatever you do with all your might

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

34 minutes
Conclusion: fear and obey God, mindful of judgment

Ecclesiastes 1:1

30 minutes
Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 5:8-17

10 minutes
Wealth and labor are no benefit of themselves

Ecclesiastes 9:10-10:3

19 minutes
Live boldly yet wisely amid life’s uncertainties, avoiding sin and folly

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

9 minutes
Vanity of vanities—things come and go

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

8 minutes
Rejoice through God

Ecclesiastes 10:4-20

28 minutes
Deal wisely in matters of government and powerful people, be careful in any given task

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11

11 minutes
The vanity of human wisdom, pleasure and toil

Ecclesiastes 6

12 minutes
Prosperity is not always best

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

19 minutes
Diversify efforts as a hedge against calamity, and don’t wait for perfect conditions before acting

Ecclesiastes 2:12-23

4 minutes
Outcome for the wise and fool, wisdom and enjoyment through God

Ecclesiastes 7:1-15

21 minutes
Adversity is not always worst

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

20 minutes
Temper enjoyment of the present with reflection on coming dark days and divine judgment

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

9 minutes
Wisdom and enjoyment through God

Ecclesiastes 7:16-29

18 minutes
People are not innocent (deserving freedom from adversity)

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

33 minutes
Remember God in youth before old age and death

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

16 minutes
A time and season for every purpose under heaven

Ecclesiastes 8:1-15

14 minutes
Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and fearing God, enjoyment through God commended

Ecclesiastes 12:8

12 minutes
Initial summation: vanity of vanities