A few questions on Ecclesiastes.?

Question

I have done some googling and still have a few questions left about ecclesiastes. Please just post the link, and not copy and paste the whole web page - I don't mind how I get the information as long as I get it:

Why was ecclesiastes written?

What is the book about (I have begun to answer this question, but need more info)

What well known passages does it contain?

Is it important to the modern world?

Is there anything else it would be helpful to know about the book?

Thanks alot in advanced, - You don't have to answer all of the questions.

Yes, I have got a report due, but:

it's not due for about 2 weeks
I HAVE tried reasearching, but I would like some extra help.
That is not all the questions, I have answered many myself. (In total there are about 18)
I'm not asking for you to do it for me, just some links or help with some of the questions.

Answer 1

One great author of the last century write the following about the book of Ecclesiastes:

Solomon's Mournful Autobiography -- "The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his old age, after he had fully proved that all the pleasures earth is able to give are empty and unsatisfying. He there shows how impossible it is for the vanities of the world to meet the longing of the soul. His conclusion is that it is wisdom to enjoy with gratitude the good gifts of God, and to do right; for all our works will be brought into judgment.

"Solomon's autobiography is a mournful one. He gives us the history of his search for happiness. He engaged in intellectual pursuits; he gratified his love for pleasure; he carried out his schemes for commercial enterprise. He was surrounded by the fascinating splendor of court life. All that the carnal heart could desire was at his command; yet he sums up his experience in this sad record. [Eccl. 1:14-2:11 quoted]"

Ellen G. White, Health Reformer, June 1878

Answer 2

1. Ecclesiastes is probably written by Solomon around 1000 BC. It parallels Proverbs 1-10, which are namely written to his sons (i.e. all of Israel) as advice

2. The book is a survey of the meaning of life. It culminates at the end of chapter 12 - that all of the things that we can pursue in life have little value, except to fear God and keep His commandments

3. Many well known passages
"for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven"
"time and chance happen to all"
"meaningless, meaningless, everythings is meaningless (vain/vanity)"

4. The meaning of life through the eyes of people is the same today as then

5. When someone asks about the meaning of life, here it is in 12 chapters

Answer 3

It was written to show us that the only hope of enduring the present is to live in relationship with God: outside of this, everything is meaningless.
The best known passage is probably 3:1-15 "to everything there is a season"
And its conclusion is as true today as it was when it was first written: Meaningfulness and significance in life is fleeting and may even seem impossible - but we are placed here to live in relationship with God, regardless of our circumstances. This is the only real goal of our life and if we miss this, we miss meaning.
The very last phrase in 12:13 - which is sometimes translated as "this is the whole duty of man" means literally, "this is the whole of humankind" - to obey Him, to live in relationship with Him, is to be truly human and reach our greatest potential as part of His creation.

Answer 4

I believe it was written out of desperation by Solomon - he was trying to find the meaning of life - and could not do so by focusing on the temporal only.

The book is about this search for meaning in life, and the observations of a man who was gifted by God in wisdom (in order to lead the people uprightly).

To everything there is a season - - -

It is important to the modern world because people are searching for meaning in their lives (especially in light of terrorism, and wars and rumors of wars). Many people who appear on Answers are actually looking for meaning in their lives.

Solomon did not always follow the teaching in the book because he collected much gold and riches, and also collected many wives and concubines, which tended to turn his heart from the Lord and the ways of wisdom, of which he had so eloquently written (and he was not very nice to the people in the end).

The book is a classic and helps people look beyond circumstances, and look to God for meaning, and then ultimately towards choosing whether or not eternal life and salvation are that which their hearts really yearn for.

Answer 5

job 38:a million Then the LORD replied job out of the hurricane. He suggested: 2 "who's that this that darkens my suggestions with words devoid of awareness? 3 Brace your self like a guy; i will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 "the place have been you once I laid the earth's beginning up? tell me, in case you already know. You ask questions as in case you are able to fathom the solutions, once you do not additionally be attentive to what you assert. Your premises are fake. You assumptions approximately Christian ideals are erroneous. how are you able to start to understand the solutions on your questions? Jesus enables forgiveness with the aid of faith in God's love and actual repentance. Christianity isn't a clean examine to do notwithstanding the hell we want and bypass to heaven besides. that could turn heaven right into a hell. you does not be attentive to if the Holy Spirit have been a guy or woman or not. God is everywhere and in each thing. God develop into born in human flesh, yet God can not be contained, so he develop into nonetheless in heaven. God's presence and interest moved on the subject of the international. it rather is incredibly like the burning sunlight and the rays of the sunlight being a similar element. Jesus ought to be tempted, with the aid of fact he develop into human and had human flesh. He did not supply in to temptation with the aid of fact he had the spirit of God in him. it rather is a life-time that's spent information and unfolding an information of God's mysteries. in case you've gotten persistence, you will get solutions on your questions, yet God isn't moved by utilising human impatience.

Answer 6

the best know passage I believe would be Ecclesiastes 3

to everything there is a season


which would apply to modern times as much as they would when it was written

Answer 7

Sounds like you have a report or something due, and you haven't done your own original reading and research.
There is no good replacement for doing your own work.

All I will say is that all Bible truth is relevant to all people in all times, in every culture. The truth never changes.

Answer 8

I won't answer any, how about that?