The book of Ecclesiastes is a somewhat mysterious book. It manages to be both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. While rarely read in its entirety, it contains some of the most famous lines in all of scripture. Lines like “vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Ecclesiastes 1: 2) ring in our ears.

Other lines have captured the imagination and even popular culture. Many will recognize them in the Byrds’ 1965 Billboard’s Hot 100 number 1 song, Turn, Turn, Turn.

“There is an appointed time for everything,

and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to give birth, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;

a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.”

(Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8)

Who is Qoheleth?

Ecclesiastes is attributed to an individual called Qoheleth. “The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). The fact that scripture makes no reference to a son of King David with this name suggests that Qoheleth is likely not a name, but a title. Scholars believe it is a likely reference to one who leads a citizen’s assembly or someone acting in the role of preacher. The book itself seems to link this authority to that of King Solomon, David’s son. 

The Search for Meaning and Happiness

Ecclesiastes deals with the essential question of man’s purpose. Where is happiness to be found? The author’s identity as King of Jerusalem and son of David is important. His kingly office provides him access to all the world has to offer. He is afforded wealth, leisure, knowledge, success, power, and fame. In his words,

“I, Qoheleth, was king over Israel in Jerusalem, and I applied my mind to search and investigate in wisdom all things that are done under the sun.”

(Ecclesiastes 1: 12-13)

Thus, in turn, he examines each fruit that the world has to offer throughout the book. At first glance, his findings are somewhat sobering. For one by one, he finds each of the fruits of the world lacking. 

“I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a chase after wind.”

(Ecclesiastes 1: 14)

“Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!”

(Ecclesiastes 12: 8)

Yet, the author does not conclude that life is meaningless. Only, that the fruit of the world is insufficient alone. Nor does he conclude that there is no joy to be found in life. Rather, he commends us to move beyond striving to live in God’s blessing. 

“There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and provide themselves with good things from their toil. Even this, I saw, is from the hand of God.

For who can eat or drink apart from God?”

(Ecclesiastes 2: 24-25)

“Those to whom God gives riches and property, and grants power to partake of them, so that they receive their lot and find joy in the fruits of their toil: This is a gift from God.

For they will hardly dwell on the shortness of life, because God lets them busy themselves with the joy of their heart.”

(Ecclesiastes 5: 18-19)

“The last word, when all is heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this concerns all humankind;

because God will bring to judgment every work, with all its hidden qualities, whether good or bad.”

(Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14)

Thus, God is at work in all things. Both good and bad. True happiness will be found in embracing the will of God and conformity to his will. Much of the misery we experience is of our own making. It is the fruit of wishing things were different than they are. Wishing we had more of this or that. Wishing this illness or suffering could be avoided. It is this that Qoheleth cautions against. This wishing is the vanity of vanities of which he speaks. Rather, I believe he would direct us to live according to the words of St. Paul,

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8: 28)