Who is the author?
The author of Ecclesiastes is debated. The text never says who the author is and instead references cryptically the Qohelet, “the Preacher,” (Ecc 1:1, ESV). This preacher is the main speaker throughout the book. It is very reasonable to assume this person is Solomon for several reasons. R.C. Sproul explains why it is reasonable to think of Solomon as the author saying,
the lineage (1:1), kingship over Israel in Jerusalem (1:12), unsurpassed wisdom (1:16), and unrivaled wealth (2:4–9) of the author indicate that Solomon, calling himself “the Preacher” (1:12), is the author of Ecclesiastes.[1]
No matter the authorship, these are the words of God, and they have something for the believer today.
What is the Book Ecclesiastes?
What does this enigmatic book of Ecclesiastes have for the believer to understand today? The answer is death. That might be a little dramatic; however, that is what the book Ecclesiastes is presenting. The text reads like the autobiography of the preacher, who, as an old man, looks back over his life to see that in the end, nothing could satisfy. Moreover, any satisfaction that could be found would not last because everything and everyone dies.
The death in Ecclesiastes is the result of the fall in Genesis 3. God told Adam,
cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Gen 3:17b-19, ESV).
The Apostle Paul helps to explain the extent of this curse when he said,
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Ro 8:20-21, ESV)
Because of the fall and sin, death entered the world and spread to everything so that nothing good was left untouched. The story of Ecclesiastes is of a man that tries every method to escape the curse, and he cannot. Everything he does is subjected to death because of sin.
How should I read this book?
So, what then? Is all lost because of death and sin? On the contrary, the joy that a Christian reader can get from this book is profound. Christ ended this curse for every one of his people. So, when the believer reads Ecclesiastes, they are not forced to sorrow. Instead, they gain a more profound wonder at how great a salvation Christ made. Christ satisfies, Christ lasts, Christ feeds, Christ loves, and not even death can take Christ from the believer. On the contrary, with Paul, the believer says to die is gain! (Philippians 1:21) Death itself holds no sting because death brings the believer closer to the king.
Conclusion
Outside of Christ, the book of Ecclesiastes presents death. The author of Ecclesiastes says, “[v]anity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. (Ecc 1:2, ESV). All life is nothing, a vapor, dust in the wind, and vanity, without Christ. But in Christ, all is redeemed, purpose is given, and death’s futility is overcome. Thus, when reading Ecclesiastes, the believer gets a glimpse at Christ’s perfect salvation of his people.
[1] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 1073.