Problem: Solomon concluded, “There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor.” But this is hedonism, which is condemned elsewhere in the Bible (Luke 12:19–20; 1 Cor. 10:7).
Problem: Sometimes the Bible speaks as though laughter is good and other times as though it is bad. Solomon concluded, “I said of laughter, It is madness’; and of mirth,What does it accomplish?’ ”(Ecc. 2:2). He added that “sorrow is better than laughter” (7:3). Jesus added, “Woe to you who laugh now” (Luke 6:25). On the other hand, the Bible encourages laughter, claiming that “a merry heart does good, like medicine” (Prov. 17:22). Solomon even “commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry” (Ecc. 8:15).
Problem: Solomon affirms here that “in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” However, Proverbs asserts that “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding” (Prov. 3:13). Does wisdom bring sorrow or happiness?
Problem: Solomon declared here that “there is nothing new under the sun.” But not only is this contrary to science and human history, but it is opposed by other verses of Scripture (cf. Isa. 43:19; Jer. 31:22) where God says He will do “a new thing.”
Problem: Several statements that Solomon makes throughout this book indicate a skepticism that seems contrary to the Bible as a whole. In Ecclesiastes 9:5 Solomon says, “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing.” However, the Book of Ecclesiastes is included in the canon of Holy Scriptures as an inspired book. How can such a skeptical book be inspired Scripture?
Problem: The NT writers quote the vast majority of the OT from Genesis to Malachi. There are literally hundreds of citations from every major section of the OT. Yet, the Book of Ecclesiastes is not quoted once. If it was inspired, then why isn’t it cited at least one time?
Problem: On the one hand the Bible speaks against strong drink, claiming it is a “mocker” and arouses “brawling” (Prov. 20:1). On the other hand, Solomon declares here that we should “give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart.” Doesn’t this encourage drinking strong alcoholic beverages?
Problem: God told Noah that “the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth” (Gen. 9:2). However, this is not the case, for even Proverbs 30:30 admits that the lion “does not turn away from any.”
Problem: God warns here that “He who covers his sins will not prosper.” However, elsewhere God commends those who have had their sins covered, saying, “Blessed is he … whose transgression is covered” (Ps. 32:1).
Are the reported sacrificings of Isaac and of Jesus related? Are they narrative-tied? Does one of these events unfold with the other in mind? Does the sacrificing of Isaac prefigure or foreshadow Jesus’s? (Or alternatively, does the sacrificing of Jesus refer back to the sacrificing of Isaac?)