Ecclesiastes (The Proclaim Commentary Series)

Solomon's words are recorded here to show us that wealth, success, and prosperity do not ultimately satisfy. The message of Job is that even when we have nothing, God is everything. But in Ecclesiastes we see the converse. Even if you have everything, if you don't have the Lord at the center, everything is vanity and useless. Solomon was a man to whom God had given everything. Solomon had it all. In addition, God granted Solomon a peaceful reign on the thrown of Israel for forty years (1 Kgs 11:42). That is the longest time of peace that Israel has ever seen! Not only did countries not attack Israel, but also during Solomon's reign, they came from all across the globe just to give him money. One would think that Solomon lived the good life and died the happiest man alive, but then we get Ecclesiastes. His final words to us are that "all is vanity" without the fear and love of God at the center. Without Christ, life is meaningless and vain.