Sermons on Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 12:9–14
In Ecclesiastes 12:9–14, Solomon brings his searching, unsettling, and deeply honest book to its decisive conclusion. After exposing the vanity of life lived “under the sun,” he leaves us with the only answer that can bear the weight of death, judgment, and meaning: fear God and keep His commandments. This final passage reminds us that Ecclesiastes does not end in despair but in clarity. The Preacher—wise, deliberate, and orderly—has spoken words of truth given by one Shepherd. These words are…
Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8
In Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8, Solomon brings his meditation on life, meaning, and death to a powerful climax. With striking realism and poetic beauty, he confronts one truth that no one can escape: the days of darkness are coming. Youth fades, strength declines, and death draws near. Wisdom, therefore, demands that we live now in light of the end. This passage is especially directed to the young. Solomon acknowledges that youth is good—light is sweet, and it is a blessing to enjoy…
Ecclesiastes 10:16–11:6
In Ecclesiastes 10:16–11:6, Solomon addresses the relationship between wisdom, leadership, diligence, and sloth, showing how personal character shapes not only individual lives but entire households, churches, and nations. His message is direct and searching: sloth, which flows from folly and self-indulgence, destroys kingdoms, while diligence, which flows from wisdom, preserves and builds what God has entrusted to us. The passage begins with a series of proverbs about kingship. A land is cursed when its leaders are immature, self-indulgent, and more…
Ecclesiastes 10:1–15
In Ecclesiastes 10:1–15, Solomon continues his extended meditation on wisdom by placing it side by side with folly and showing, in concrete and practical ways, that wisdom is far better than folly. Though wisdom is often overlooked and undervalued, folly is destructive, self-harming, and ultimately impossible to hide. Building on the previous passage, Solomon reminds us that wisdom is not merely intelligence or accumulated knowledge, but knowledge rightly applied to life under the fear of God. A person may be…
Ecclesiastes 9:11–18
In Ecclesiastes 9:11–18, Solomon confronts one of the great paradoxes of life under the sun: wisdom is of immeasurable value, yet it is often invisible, ignored, and forgotten. Outcomes in this world do not reliably reveal who is wise, righteous, strong, or favored. Time and chance disrupt our expectations, and even the wisest people may live and die unnoticed. Solomon begins by observing that success does not always correspond to ability. The swift do not always win the race, the…
Ecclesiastes 9:1–10
In this sermon from Ecclesiastes 9:1–10, we face one of the most unavoidable realities of life under the sun: death. Solomon shows us that both the righteous and the wicked share the same observable fate in this world—suffering and death—and that God’s providence cannot be interpreted merely by what we see happening around us. This passage confronts the temptation to judge God’s favor or displeasure by prosperity, suffering, or length of life. Solomon makes clear that such judgments cannot be…
Ecclesiastes 8:10–17
In this sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:10–17, we explore Solomon’s sobering teaching on God’s just judgment and the necessity of genuine repentance. Scripture makes clear that while people can deceive others with outward displays of religion, no one can deceive God, who knows the heart. Solomon reflects on the unsettling reality that wicked people sometimes die with a reputation for holiness, while righteous people may suffer as though they were wicked. Does this mean there is no justice in the world?…
Ecclesiastes 8:1–9
Obeying the King: Wisdom, Authority, and Your Limitations (Ecclesiastes 8:1–9) In this sermon we explore Ecclesiastes 8:1–9 to uncover a profound biblical truth: True wisdom includes humble submission to God-given authority. Our culture idolizes “freedom” and self-rule—an inheritance of the Enlightenment and one of the driving engines of rebellion, critical theory, and the modern suspicion of all authority. Scripture, however, presents a radically different picture: wisdom begins with fearing God and honoring those He has placed over us. Solomon asks,…
Ecclesiastes 7:15–29
True wisdom and righteousness are highly prized—but exceedingly rare. In this sermon on Ecclesiastes 7:15–29, we explore Solomon’s sobering yet hopeful teaching about human sinfulness, the scarcity of righteousness, and the ultimate value of fearing God. The world often assumes people are inherently good, or that small compromises are acceptable, but Scripture repeatedly shows that there is no one righteous on earth. Solomon uses practical examples—from speech and hypocrisy to sexual immorality—to demonstrate the pervasive sinfulness of mankind. Yet there…
Ecclesiastes 7:8–14
We live in a world obsessed with beginnings—new jobs, new homes, new projects, new excitement. But in Ecclesiastes 7:8–14, Solomon reminds us that “the end of a matter is better than its beginning.” In this sermon, we explore the wisdom of living not for short-term gain or immediate excitement, but for the long-term good that comes from patient endurance and trust in God’s providence. Those who are wise know that true success can only be seen at the end of…
Ecclesiastes 7:1–7
Why does God allow His people to suffer? What possible good could come from mourning, loss, and pain? In Ecclesiastes 7:1–7, Solomon gives us a surprising answer: suffering is often better for us than laughter—because God uses it to make us holy. In this sermon, we see that holiness is worth suffering for. A good name—true godly character—is better than all the wealth or comfort the world can offer. When God takes away our “precious ointment” but gives us a…
Ecclesiastes 5:18–6:12
What does it mean to truly enjoy the fruit of your labor? Solomon teaches that this enjoyment is not the result of wealth itself, but a blessing from God. In Ecclesiastes 5:18 – 6:12, we see two people with the same material possessions — one finds joy, the other despair. The difference? One receives his labor’s fruit with thanksgiving to God; the other lives for wealth and cannot enjoy it. This contrast reveals a profound biblical truth: to enjoy your…