Ecclesiastes is largely proverbial in form. Why has Solomon used such a demanding method of communication? Not because he wants to make his message obscure: the Book of Ecclesiastes is written to warn, to counsel, to impart knowledge, and to lead men to God. Solomon is deeply concerned about dying souls, and he knows that without this knowledge we will die eternally. The reason proverbs are used is to encourage us to think deeply. The meaning of a proverb does not lie on the surface, but demands careful reflection. It is food for the soul that contains much goodness in small compass. It causes us to respect the message because it communicates to us things that are hidden, but there is effort required on our part to uncover its secrets. We must have respect for the message and use our minds to study and search the Scriptures. We must come to it expecting to find great treasures; we must recognise that we need the help of God to understand his word, and therefore we pray for light on his word. Many hear the gospel and looking no further than the surface, they dismiss it. The form of the proverb or the parable illustrates the need to listen very carefully to Scripture, and to expect to receive something of great worth from the Lord.