According to the Hebrew Bible, the following five books are considered as one single book known as the “Five Scrolls”, each with a title of a feminine gender noun, placed right after Proverbs and just before Daniel: Ruth, Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther. Therefore, I plan to introduce these five books together this time.

The main bulk of this book (1:2-12:8) is by someone called “Teacher” (NIV) who is also a King of Israel. The word “teacher” is the same as “assembly leader” suggesting instructions to the Assembly of God’s people. From the similar wordings in 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." and in 12:8“Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" it could be seen that these are the opening and closing words of the Teacher. The beginning and the ending though (1:1; 12:9-14), come from the editor of this book, therefore making it important to control the interpretation of the entire book within the viewpoint of the editor. For example, if we merely take in what the Teacher says, we will inherit a very pessimistic worldview, as if everything is meaningless. However, the editor adds in 12:12-13“Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”to point out the major issue in life.

This book is quite difficult to follow because for one, its style is rambling and is without an obvious structure. Its contents appear to dwell on the matters of life that are quite different from conventional wisdom and expectations. In a way, it resembles its often repeated word “meaningless,” rendering it very difficult for readers to get its meaning. But if we adopt the editor’s perspective, it will become easier to appreciate that notwithstanding our experiences in life tend to defy justice and conventional wisdom, trusting and fearing God is the safest route. The word and wisdom of the Creator are indeed inscrutable.

There are four main assertions in the book: (1) God is the ultimate reality, the source of all circumstances of life be in good or bad (3:12-14); (2) The work of God cannot be fathomed by man (3:11; 8:17); (3) Life is not always bound by conventional wisdom, such as in the case of the righteous not always getting blessings and the wicked not being barred from enjoyment; (4) Despite of such variability, death remains the final equalizer. The Teacher believes that death is the end of all things (9:5-6), and because of this, life is indeed “meaningless.” (of the 73 occurrences of this word in the entire OT, there are already 37 times in this book alone), just as frustrating to grasp like vapor.

Many have misunderstood that the Teacher advocates hedonism in reaction to the meaninglessness of life (2:24; 3:13; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7). The fact remains that he isn’t a hedonist but rather champions a view that sees life as a gift from God. Even when there is the inevitable feeling of “meaningless,” man’s duty is to treasure and enjoy such a gift, because the antithesis of “meaningless” lies not in “grasping” things, but in living with the rhythm of life.

But even then, there really isn’t much constructive message of hope coming from the Teacher. But it is important to remember that this book is compiled by the editor, who in 1:1 and 12:9-14 (also apparently 7:27), has repeatedly pointed out that a life is truly “meaningless” only when it is lived devoid of a fear of God.