The Teacher (Qoheleth, often linked to Solomon)
Category: Endurance in searching for meaning under the sun
Could avoid: Ignore life’s hard questions, chase only pleasure.
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10)
Cross-Refs: Luke 15:13–16; 1 John 2:16.
Chose: Honestly examined wisdom, work, pleasure, and toil.
“I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 25:2; Acts 17:11.
Endured: Weariness, futility of toil, disappointment.
“What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 3:19; Romans 8:20.
Why: To find what truly endures beyond vanity.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 90:12; Romans 8:18.
Result: Conclusion: Fear God, keep His commands.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 10:12; Matthew 10:28.
Those Who Labour
Category: Endurance in daily work & toil
Could avoid: Resent toil or abandon responsibility.
“The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.” (Ecclesiastes 10:15)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 6:9–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Chose: To work faithfully, enjoying God’s gifts.
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 128:2; Colossians 3:23.
Endured: Frustration, short-lived gains, repetition.
“What do workers gain from their toil?” (Ecclesiastes 3:9)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 3:17–19; Romans 8:22.
Why: Believed work itself is a gift of God.
“So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot.” (Ecclesiastes 3:22)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10.
Result: Joy in daily labour when offered to God.
“When God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them… this is a gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 6:17; James 1:17.
Those Who Fear God
Category: Endurance in reverence & obedience
Could avoid: Live carelessly, like the wicked.
“Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time…” (Ecclesiastes 8:12a)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 73:3–5; Malachi 3:15.
Chose: To fear God despite life’s apparent unfairness.
“…I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12b)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 14:26–27; Luke 1:50.
Endured: Injustice, delay of judgment, vanity of life.
“The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23.
Why: Trusted God as ultimate judge.
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10.
Result: Hope of lasting peace and divine reward.
“Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all.” (Ecclesiastes 11:7–8)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 4:4; Revelation 21:4.