gratify self and the flesh, will pass away. It is no wonder then that some people, led by Satan, would specifi cally mock this book which manifests their folly. A failure to divide rightly this portion of Scripture has been the basis of many false ideas and cultic teachings. In Ecclesiastes it is God’s purpose to show what a natural, un believing man thinks as he fives “un der the sun.’ It is important to grasp the full intention of this book. At first glance, some of the things seen here may seem foreign and even contrary to other parts of the Bible. We must use the key which unlocks the book’s mystery. Solomon was the writer of Eccles iastes. As God’s servant, he had a sacred experience. Wisdom was the first thing he sought from the hand of the Lord. In addition, he was giv en great wealth. Like so many others, however, Solomon did not profit by his gifts. God had warned him not to add horses or wives to himself. In wilful disobedience he allowed both to multiply. As was predicted, his heart eventually was turned away after other gods. In addition to the caution against horses and wives, Solomon was told not to seek silver and gold. In this, too, the once- humble leader turned his back on the command. No wonder we read that “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord.” As a result, the king dom was taken away from Solomon. In Ecclesiastes Solomon reviews his experiences. These are the obser vations that came after his departure from God’s covenant. Here then is a record of the thoughts and motives of an unbelieving man. God has per mitted the book to be a part of the sixty-six in Scripture to show us what an unbelieving man thinks. While the Lord inspired His servant to re late these experiences, He in no sense inspired the experiences. There is a great difference which we need to keep in mind. These viewpoints are natural man’s and not God’s.
A Study in Ecclesiastes
by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson
Part One Surveying the Old Testament, we discover that one of the most remark able books is Ecclesiastes. It stands by itself in the distinctive message to men who “live under the sun.” No other part of the Bible deals so exclusively with the things concern ing the unbelieving man. It can be seen clearly that all things done by the unregenerate are vanity and vex ation of spirit. The devil seeks to magnify the glory of earthly things while minimizing those which are eternal. All of this life, spent only to Page 38
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