Ecclesiastes

The Book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, explores the lessons of life under the sun. It admits the emptiness and futility of chasing after worldly pleasures and goods, but ultimately concludes that true contentment and purpose can only be found in fearing and worshiping God. The author's attempts to find satisfaction in wisdom, wealth, and pleasure all led to temporary gratification at best, but the fear of the Lord endures forever (Ecclesiastes 2:12-14, 12:13-14). Solomon urges his audience to remember their Creator in the midst of life's transient moments (12:1) and delight in the Lord's commands as a way to avoid the curse of chasing after wind (1:17). Ultimately, the Gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ is not directly presented in Ecclesiastes, but the necessary precondition of recognizing our need for God's wisdom and grace is prominent throughout the book.