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Hi all,

Just wondering what the purpose of Ecclesiastes is.

Right now I think it's main purpose is to show the futility and emptiness of life lived exclusivley by earthly values, in order to point us to God.

But I'm wondering what others think, so please feel free to share your views.

In Christ,

John

Eccl. 12:13 13 Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. Context (NET)

So the purpose of Eccl. is to....?

I don't think that, in and of itself, that Scripture tells me what the purpose is. It simply tells me the guy's conclusion. But why did he write it?

his conclusion is the reason -- he wanted to save others the time he used (wasted?) exploring for answers

Could it be that we see in Solomon's great wisdom a futility to find eternity. Solomon had some thoughts that were okay--morality and a few points about God that were okay. But as for depth of understanding, without the Holy Spirit functioning, most of what he came up with was futility.

Solomon said he had found 1 man in a thousand, but not a woman. Yet שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים Song of Songs was about the love of his life. Is he saying that no person on earth, not even her, could fill the emptiness in him? He didn't have the blessing of having God the Holy Spirit abiding in him as Christians do.

What was God's purpose for including it in the Canon? It seems to me that God is showing that under the OT without Grace there was a recognition of sin and sorrow, but almost no joy. Under Grace, we are told to be joyful. Is God pointing out that the NT is a better Covenant in all the areas of life that Solomon researched and evaluated?

_________________
Blessings in the Lord to all whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life

We preach Christ, and Him Lifted Up!

Sounds good to me.


That's a very interesting view you have there.


Maybe.

Pam -- good pts -- i agree