Ecclesiastes

Title

1:1 The words of the Teacher,1 the son2 of David, king3 in Jerusalem:4

Introduction: Utter Futility

Futility Illustrated from Nature

Futility of Secular Accomplishment

Futility of Secular Wisdom

Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure

Futility of Materialism

Wisdom is Better than Folly

Futility of Being A Workaholic

Painful Days and Restless Nights

Enjoy Work and its Benefits

A Time for All Events in Life

Man is Ignorant of God's Timing

Enjoy Life in the Present

God's Sovereignty

The Problem of Injustice and Oppression

Evil Oppression on Earth

Labor Motivated by Envy

Labor Motivated by Greed

Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared

Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking

Rash Vows

Government Corruption

Covetousness

Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life

Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor

Not Everyone Enjoys Life

The Futile Way Life Works

Life is Brief and Death is Certain!

Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom

Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity

Wisdom Can Lengthens One's Life

Wisdom Acknowledges God's Orchestration of Life

Exceptions to the Law of Retribution

Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous

Human Wisdom is Limited

True Righteousness and Wisdom are Virtually Non-Existent

Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom

Contradictions to the Law of Retribution

Enjoy Life In Spite of Its Injustices

Limitations of Human Wisdom

Everyone Will Die

Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead

Life is Brief, so its Joys Should be Cherished

Wisdom Cannot Protect against Seemingly Chance Events

Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel

Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly

Wisdom Can Be Nullified By the Caprice of Rulers

Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life

Words and Works of Wise men and Fools

The Problem with Foolish Rulers

Ignorance of the Future Demands Diligence in the Present

Life Should Be Savored Because Death is Imminent

Enjoy Life to the Fullest under the Fear of God

Fear God Now Because Old Age and Death Come Quickly

Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis

Concluding Epilogue: Qoheleth's Advice is Wise

Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands!