The Preterist View of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

 The Preterist View of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 

3:1 — “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Solomon observes the cyclical, covenantal patterns of the old age. These seasons represent the ebb and flow of blessings and curses under the Law (Deut 28), the constant back-and-forth of judgment and restoration. But in Christ, the season has shifted once for all: “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2).

3:2–8 — “A time to be born, and a time to die…”

This list is poetic and observational, but also theological. Under the Old Covenant, everything had its assigned time—but all was temporal and shadowy. Paul contrasts this with the unchanging reality in Christ, in whom we are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), no longer subject to cycles of gain and loss but grounded in eternal identity.

3:9–11 — “What gain has the worker from his toil?... He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Solomon, even within the limitations of his covenant, perceives a sovereign beauty—but cannot grasp its fullness. Paul reveals what Solomon longed for: the mystery hidden for ages but now revealed in Christ (Eph 3:5–6).  “The time” spoken of has now been fulfilled (Rev 1:3).

3:12–13 — “…to be joyful and to do good… it is God’s gift to man…”

This foreshadows grace. True joy, apart from merit or law, is hinted at here. But in the gospel, that gift is made manifest and accessible to all who are in Christ. We now rest from our labors, because Christ is our Sabbath (Heb 4:9–10).

3:14–15 — “Whatever God does endures forever…”

Solomon perceives the contrast: human works fade, but God’s purposes are eternal. What he could only glimpse, Paul sees fully realized in the finished work of Christ. God has established an unshakable kingdom (Heb 12:28)—not made with hands, and not subject to futility.

3:16–17 — “In the place of justice, even there was wickedness…”

Solomon grieves the perversion of justice in the temple and legal system. Yet Paul proclaims that Christ has now brought true justice (Rom 3:25–26)—not by condemning, but by justifying. The judgment of that former age came in full by 70 AD, purging the system that had been corrupted.

3:18–21 — “…they themselves are but beasts…”

Without the Spirit, even the covenant people were like beasts—bound to die, trapped in futility. But Paul proclaims the transformation: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit” (Rom 8:9). In the fulfilled kingdom, the identity of man is no longer tied to the dust but to resurrection life.

3:22 — “…there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work…”

Solomon resigns to enjoying the moment, a sign of covenant weariness. But for the believer today, our work is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58), for it flows from resurrection life and eternal purpose. In the New Covenant, every act is saturated with divine presence and meaning.