Ecclesiastes

In understanding Ecclesiastes, it is important to see that the extent of the individual’s experience is under the sun, a phrase repeated twenty-nine times. There is recognition of God, but no revelation from Him. Whereas the name Jehovah—the name of covenant relationship—is characteristic of Proverbs, it is not once used in Ecclesiastes.
Its conclusions are truthful, yet often far from the truth; they are the extent of man’s knowledge (see Eccl. 3:19 for example). As another has said, this book is the “sigh of sighs”. Many are seeking the illusive goal of happiness in this materialistic world, only to discover that what little they find lasts a fleeting moment and cannot satisfy. Further, man finds that he is nothing but a decaying mortal; death is his inevitable end (Eccl. 12:1-7). All is “vanity and vexation of spirit” (Eccl. 1:14).
The book concludes where Proverbs begins: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13, 14). Knowing that all our works will be brought into judgment, it is well to walk in the fear of God, this is a first principle. Man however, knowing the judgments of God, has chosen to walk without regard for God (Rom. 1:32).
Job in his deep trial sought an answer to the question of human suffering. The Preacher through indulgence sought to know the answer to human happiness. Without divine revelation, man cannot deduce the answer to either. There is but One, whose glory is above the brightness of the sun, even Jesus, who alone can fill the heart and satisfy the deepest longings of the soul.