©Kris Gerbrandt
Chapter 1:1-2 (ESV) - The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Question to consider: Which of David’s sons wrote this book?
The author referred to himself as the Qoheleth. While it is translated as the Preacher, the reason it is capitalized is that it was the office of one who convened the assemblies. This son of David, king in Jerusalem, was addressing all of the congregations (synagogues) of Judah to listen to what he had to teach them. By extension, we can consider this a book of wisdom for all people on earth throughout time.
I would compare the wisdom in this book to that of Job who recognized that all of the things in this earth are temporary and perishing. Job put his hope in a Redeemer who could stand before God and vindicate him. He believed that even though he experienced the injustices of this world corrupted by sin, he would one day be raised up imperishable and justified before the LORD.
The Qoheleth in this book understood that everything in this world is hevel (a vapor or mere breath). The ESV and King James translate it as vanity. The NIV translates it as meaningless. The NASB translates it as futility. The idea is that the things of this world have little worth because they do not last forever.
Interestingly enough, this word, hevel, is also where we get the name Abel— the son of Adam and Eve. I’d recommend you read my studies on Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Cain was treated as the promised seed by his parents while Abel was treated as nothing, and yet Abel was the son whose offering was acceptable before God by faith. While the haughty who seek after worldly gain should understand their treasures as meaningless, the humble who see themselves as an hevel before God are given the assurance that God knows who they are, and that they are loved in the manner that God gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
The Qoheleth in this book is thought to have been David’s son, Solomon, who was noted for his wisdom. I have always found it interesting that Solomon did not realize the wisdom he presented in this book until he had destroyed himself through debauchery, idolatry, and excess. He experienced every worldly thing before concluding that they were futile, meaningless, and vain. Praise God that we can learn his wisdom without experiencing all of his mistakes and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords, Christ Jesus.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for clothing the lilies of the field and concerning Yourself with the lives of sparrows. May we have the assurance that You know us by name and care about us as well. We look forward to the day when we can experience the fullness of our relationship with You in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.