1. Death is our destiny (1-12)

Through a series of A is better than B statements, the Teacher urges his readers to examine their lives in view of the fact that they are mortal. Death, mourning, frustration and rebuke are better than birth, feasting, laughter and the song of fools because death is the destiny of us all. The Teacher encourages us to examine our lives in this truth. Do we live like we are going to live forever? Or do we live knowing one day we will go back to our Creator God?

2. Consider what God has done (13,14)

As we examine our lives, the Teacher reminds us to consider what God has done in us through us and to us. We may not be able to understand what God is doing all the time. God has made our paths crooked, and we cannot see far down that path. Whether in good times or bad, we should know both come from God.