Introduction to Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Seemingly Meaningless World
Ecclesiastes is often described as one of the most philosophical and difficult books in the Old Testament. It dares to ask deep, uncomfortable questions about life, meaning, and purpose—questions that many people, both ancient and modern, wrestle with. Through this series, we will explore these existential issues through a Christian lens, discovering how the gospel provides the ultimate answer to the philosophical deadlocks that Ecclesiastes presents.
Christianity and philosophy have long had a complex relationship. While some see philosophy as being at odds with faith, Ecclesiastes reminds us that philosophy is simply the human effort to seek truth and meaning. These are not foreign to Christianity—in fact, they find their fulfillment in divine revelation. Philosophy may raise the questions, but Christianity provides the answers.
At the heart of Ecclesiastes is the fundamental question: What is life about? The book does not dwell on day-to-day survival but invites readers to take a step back and consider life as a whole—from beginning to end. It examines human existence, meaning, joy, suffering, and even death. The pressing question becomes: Is life worth living?
Since the fall of mankind, suffering and brokenness have tainted every part of our existence. This brokenness causes us to ask profound questions: Why are we here? Who made us? How can we find true happiness? These are not merely philosophical musings; they point to our deep need for salvation and the Christian hope of redemption. Ecclesiastes helps us see how these longings ultimately lead to Christ.
There is much debate around the authorship and date of Ecclesiastes. However, rather than focusing on academic controversies, this series emphasizes the timeless message of the book. Ecclesiastes speaks into the human condition across every generation, making it especially relevant today.
One of the most striking features of the book is its repeated refrain: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” This opening declaration sets the tone for the rest of the book. While Ecclesiastes is considered wisdom literature, it also delves into what is sometimes called literary pessimism. However, the book isn’t advocating for despair. Rather, it engages with it. It faces the hard truths that people often avoid.
The phrase “vanity of vanities” is a Hebrew superlative—meaning utter futility or complete emptiness. It’s not about pride or conceit, but about the futility of life apart from God. The notion that life might be a meaningless cycle is profoundly unsettling. Yet this discomfort is precisely what drives us to seek something greater. The human soul craves meaning like the body craves food. Without it, even the most beautiful things feel empty.
To illustrate this, imagine a beautifully bound book with no words inside. No matter how lovely it appears, its emptiness renders it worthless. Conversely, a simple book filled with truth and love is priceless. This is the core message: meaning gives value to everything else. Without it, even success feels hollow.
Ecclesiastes tackles the pursuit of meaning directly. Its opening lament of futility echoes the cry of skeptical and fallen hearts. In today’s world, this can be seen in the way social media offers a false sense of significance—likes and follows can never truly fill the void. Despite all our modern advances, we still wrestle with the same ancient questions.
The book also reflects on the nature of labor. What do we really gain from all our toil? Ecclesiastes compares human striving to the myth of Sisyphus, eternally pushing a boulder uphill, only to watch it roll down again. This image captures the hopelessness of the modern “rat race”—an endless cycle of work that often feels devoid of purpose.
Samson’s tragic story adds another layer to this theme. After his fall, he was forced to grind grain like a slave—a picture of labor stripped of dignity and meaning. The question arises: Are we, too, caught in a kind of rat race? There is nothing more crushing than realizing that all our efforts may be worthless in the end.
Yet the gospel offers a powerful contrast. While some worldviews see labor as futile, Scripture reveals that work can be meaningful when it reflects the nature of God. God Himself is a worker—and He calls us to work as His image-bearers. Revelation 22:3 envisions a future where God’s servants will serve Him eternally, not in futility, but in fulfillment.
Paul, writing in 1 Corinthians 15, confronts the idea that life ends in meaninglessness. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching and labor are in vain. But because He has been raised, everything changes. Christ’s resurrection gives ultimate meaning to our lives, our suffering, and our work. In Him, our labor is never in vain.
It is not wrong to seek meaning. We were created for it. Ecclesiastes boldly declares that life can be despairing—but only if God is not at the center. When God is removed, life collapses into vanity. But when Christ is central, everything becomes meaningful. The gospel provides the answer that philosophy longs for but cannot produce. Because He lives, our search for meaning is not in vain—and our lives are filled with hope, purpose, and joy.
[AI-generated notes from the sermon]
