From the Bible Dictionary for “Ecclesiastes,” we learn:
The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer. The author describes himself as “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1).
Ecclesiastes is written from the point of view of the world, everything is temporary and soon gone—nothing is permanent. Ecclesiastes should not be construed as theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death; rather, they are observations by the Preacher about how things appear to men on the earth “under the sun.” (9:5, 9:10)
Ecclesiastes 1–2 tells us ways the author sought happiness but couldn’t find it.
All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not asatisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (1:8)
He sought happiness in his work but was not satisfied.
17 And I gave my aheart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth aknowledge increaseth bsorrow. (1:17-18)
He sought happiness in wisdom but found more grief and sorrow.
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with amirth, therefore enjoy bpleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? (2:1-2).
He sought happiness in laughter and pleasure but could not find it.
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. (2:3)
He sought happiness in wine and discovered it folly.
4 I made me great works; I abuilded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and agold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the bprovinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. 12 ¶And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. (2:4-12)
He sought happiness in riches but realized it had no purpose when he died.
Many have heard the words in Ecclesiastes 3:1–8. Other scriptures sharing a similar principle are found in Mosiah 4:27; Doctrine and Covenants 10:4; 111:11; Luke 10:38–42.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
2 A atime to be born, and a time to bdie; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and aorder; for it is not requisite that a man should run bfaster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order..
D&C 10:4 Do not run afaster or labor more than you have bstrength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be cdiligent unto the end.
D&C 111:11 Therefore, be ye as awise as serpents and yet without bsin; and I will order all things for your cgood, as fast as ye are able to receive them. Amen.
Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named aMartha received him into her house.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art acareful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath achosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
We need to consider the timing in the choices we make in our life. Things done in the wrong timing could have serious consequences for our life. A teen who has a child may give up opportunities for education that could have serious consequences for both her and her child. Yet a young woman who delays having children to pursue a career may lose her opportunity to ever have children. There is a time to be intimate and a time to refrain from intimacy. There is a time to work and a time to play. If you play while you should be working, you will not be able to provide for your needs. If you never take time to relax and play, you will burn out and not be able to work. Time needs to be spent with children while they are young, because they grow and the opportunity is gone. Within each day there are multiple good choices we could make, but never enough time to do them all. We need to prioritize and decide what is most important to meet our individual goals. If we just let things happen, we can go through life and never become the best that we could become. Sometimes we have to say “no” to many good things because there are more important things we need to focus on.
In Ecclesiastes 4–5, I have chosen a couple of principles important in my life.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Relationships are important to me. Everything is better when it is shared. I learn more when I discuss with others. I am strengthened in times of weakness. The grief is less when I have someone to validate the feelings. The joy is multiplied when I can share it. I feel more useful when my efforts help make another’s day better. Friends, spouses, children, family, coworkers, and even a random stranger help me find more joy and purpose in life.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 The asleep of a blabouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
‘Happy is the man who loves the work he has to do.’”
Life would be very boring without some work to do. Work brings purpose and direction to our life. It also helps us develop skills and helps us become better people. When we have done a hard days labor, we sleep better and feel peace from the sense of accomplishment. A day of doing nothing is very tiring, but doesn’t allow a restful sleep. We may need to work to provide for our families and ourselves, but even if we don’t finding work will help us feel more fulfilled.
Ecclesiastes 12:7, 13–14 gives us answers to these questions:
7 Then shall the adust return to the earth as it was: and the bspirit shall return unto God who cgave it.
What happens to us when we die? We return to God
13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: aFear God, and bkeep his commandments: for this is the whole cduty of man.
What is “the whole duty of man”? Fear or respect God and keep His commandments
14 For God shall bring every awork into bjudgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Why is this a good description of man’s purpose? We will be judged by our works, whether they be good or bad. Do our works uplift and help us or others progress or do we chose to do things that tear down others or add no contribution to the world?
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