The epilogue of Ecclesiastes provides readers with four takeaways from the entire book. These takeaways help bring clarity to some of the complex situations that Ecclesiastes represents

There are many things in life that we cannot control, but in this passage God is calling us to remain faithful to Him despite our earthly circumstances. While many things around us can change, we must never change in our resolve to joyfully live for God. This passage reminds us to live for God no matter the situation. First, we are called to live for God when life is uncertain. Second, we are called to live for God until He calls us home.

Solomon’s series of proverbs in Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 instructs readers that our fallen practice of wisdom can often turn rancid. As sinners, our attempts to apply wisdom will often turn sour. This text reminds us of the deficiencies of our wisdom and the destruction of foolishness. These truths remind us of our constant need for the Gospel of grace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage instructs Christians that our beliefs should not be based on emotions, but on truth. Our beliefs matter because they shape the way we approach and live life. This passage teaches us four beliefs that shape the Christian life into a God-centered, God-glorifying, and God-satisfying life.

This passage provides Christians with a five-fold description of a believer’s trust in God. It displays true values of Christians before a holy and sovereign God. These characteristics are provided as contrasts between the wicked and the righteous, the sanctified and unsanctified.

This passage teaches readers that godly wisdom is beneficial in the public square. Despite what many may think, applying godly wisdom to the world is useful in the highest parts of society. This passage teaches us that godly wisdom is beneficial when dealing with authorities. Godly wisdom, in the face of authority, will manifest in four ways.

The entire passage is about pursuing the rare prize of wisdom. The rarity of wisdom exposes our human weaknesses and vulnerability to sinfulness. It is for this reason that we can see several obstacles in the Christian’s search for wisdom.

This passage teaches Christians about having biblical expectations about life and godliness. We must realize that a disproportionate view of life is unbiblical; therefore, we must set our standard and expectations to God’s in order to get the most out of life.

Ecclesiastes 7:5-7:14

This section marks the halfway point of Ecclesiastes. Here, Solomon summarizes his observations by reminding his readers of life’s limitations. He also marks the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half with a poem on how to think through life’s limitations. In this poem, he identifies several principles that lead readers to getting the most out of this fallen world.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:9

Ecclesiastes 5:2-7

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2