Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 Comments by Stephen Ricker
Bible Study Home Page

Utterly Meaningless
Comments for Study 2

Pick to read this Bible passage in a separate window.

Memory Verse: 1:14
Questions
Outline

I. What a Heavy Burden God Has Laid on Men (1:12-18)

The Vanities of Pleasures

* See a drawing found in a book by Grabe, Joannes Ernestus (1666-1711) King Solomon sits dejected, averting his gaze from the bustling activity and the splendor of his domain. The engraver, Michael van der Gucht (1660-1725), has placed his signature in the lower right; the designer, E. Knight, has placed his signature in the lower left. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>1. As king over Israel at this time what could Solomon do? (12)

* Ecclesiastes 1:12 "I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem."

* "I" -Solomon shifts to the first person in his writing. He only returns to the third person in the conclusion

* "the Teacher" -See study one and introduction for the meaning of this title and that it could only refer to Solomon.

* Solomon had complete unquestioned control, he was held in high regard, most admired and respected him, he had acquired massive wealth, ruled over a vast rich and fertile land, was knowledgeable and wise, and handsome. He was able to do whatever his heart desired. He was accountable to none.

>When he studied all that is done under heaven what did he find? (13)

* Ecclesiastes 1:13 "I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!"

* "I devoted myself to study" -Though Solomon was given wisdom at a young age he did not take it for granted. In other words he also studied.

* "to explore by wisdom" -Solomon exercised his gift. An idle mind will not grow nor retain what it has unless it is exercised. The mind is not different than muscles. They need to be utilized. There is no stagnation in human physique when nothing is done.

* "all that is done under heaven" -Solomon, the Teacher considered, explored, experimented and personally experienced in mid-life with the belief that God does not exist or if he does exist does not care about his welfare. He applied the life-style of the atheist and agnostic as a form of practical investigation.

* "What a heavy burden God has laid on men!" -This is a summary statement of his investigation into a life lived "under the sun (heaven)". Following Hebraic style Solomon first wrote his conclusion simply. Then he repeated it several times; each time expounding on it more and more.

* "God" -The original Hebrew word here and in the rest of the book of Ecclesiastes is "Elohim". It is used 30 times in the book. Elohim, amoung other this implies God's complete and absolute sovereignty and power. Solomon does not use the covenant name of God, "Yahweh" in this book. Elohim is the first word used in the Bible for God (Genesis 1:1).

* "God has" -God did this when Adam and Eve sinned and ate the fruit. They accepted the lies about God and rejected God's supremacy in their life. Now the cursed result is a heavy burden. The burden is not only a physical burden, rather it is a psychological and emotion burden.

* "heavy burden" -Can also be translated "miserable task", "grievous task", "sore travail", and "terrible burden".

>What does it mean "a chasing after the wind"?

* Ecclesiastes 1:14 "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

* "all the things that are done" -Solomon looked at our activities. Not merely understanding the function, but more so the reason we do what we do. He wanted to know why we did them and what was the outcome. Solomon wanted to know does our actions set out to accomplish the reason we did them in the first place? Not only that he also wanted to know if what we do means anything of importance at all.

* "a chasing after the wind" -Chasing after the wind is continually striving to do something that is impossible to achieve. Once wind is capture it stops being wind. When we stop wind we do not captured it. We can use wind to our advantage in a sail boat and a wind mill. However, we can never capture it. We will forever chase after it.

* "meaningless" -Futile, vanity, pointless, idiotic, foolish, stupid.

* Why chase after the wind? What is the point of it? Wind is amazing. Why try to catch up with it, hold it, and own it? Why chase after something that is here one moment and then gone another?

* The metaphor applies to the meaningless of an existence without God. Why try to do it? We are totally incapable of removing God from that which he created; not only us, but everything around us. Living the atheist and agnostic life is a heavy burdon because it is a continual futile effort. It cannot be done. Solomon will explain this unavoidable truth in the rest of the book.

>2. Does verse 15 accurately portray man's society and government?

* Ecclesiastes 1:15 "What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted."

* "twisted cannot be straightened" -The strands of a rope are twisted together to add strength. Once they are twisted they cannot be straightened. The fiber in a tree is twisted and cannot be straightened.

* "lacking cannot be counted" -Imaginary beans in a jar cannot be counted. Money in an empty bank account cannot be counted.

* Many aspects of human life and existance cannot be changed. Many aspects of our nature we do not have the power to change. We need to accept the things we cannot change, take action to change what we can change, and the knowledge to know the difference.

* The two metaphors are referring to the state of the fallen soul, a heart that does not allow God in more so than any practical application as I have done above.

* Just like these metaphors apply to an individual it also applies to a society and governments that try to remove God from its daily affairs.

* Jesus said, "What is impossible for man is possible for God."

>Is there anyway to undo words and actions?

* Similar to these two metaphors is the fact that once a harmful word is spoken it cannot be removed, the damage it creates in someone else is done. Similarly what we send in an email and post on an electronic board is almost impossible to retract.

>3. How is Solomon's reign described in verse 16?

* Ecclesiastes 1:16 "I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."

* "I thought to myself" -Solomon finished all that he had set out to do with building the temple and his palace. He enjoyed practical investigation, learning, and quizzical thought. So he looked to fill these passions. This implies that he did not tell anyone what he had planned. Doing so would have ruined the personally applied investigation. He kept it to himself.

* "I have grown and increased" -Solomon's kingdom was only one of a few Jewish reigns to increase in size, power, and wealth. However, the growth he is referring to here is in regard to wisdom.

* "Jerusalem" -Jerusalem is a very ancient city. Genesis refers to it as Salem. Melchizedek who lived at the time of Abraham (Genesis 14:18) is the first known king of Salem. Adoni-Zedek was also a king of Jerusalem. (Joshua 10:1) Abdi-Khepa is stated to be a king of Salem in the Amarna letters from Egypt. David captured and defeated the Cannanites who lived there and made it Israel's capital city.

* "experienced much of wisdom and knowledge" -The experience here is practical application. He personally witnessed.

* Among all of Solomon's accomplishments he considered his wisdom and knowledge the most relevant and pleasing.

>Is wisdom or ignorance bliss? (17)

* Ecclesiastes 1:17 "Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind."

* "understanding of wisdom" -This is not only how we think, but what drives us to think and act as we do.

* "madness and folly" -Ignorance is a part of these. However, ignorance is by choice. Madness and folly are also results of a mindset and philosophy. Some translations use "delusion and stupidity". Either way it is a conscience decision.

* Solomon concluded that no matter which opposing lifestyle someone follows: wisdom and knowledge vs. madness and folly, both are chasing after the wind.

>How is what verse 18 says about wisdom and knowledge true?

* Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."

* Knowledge is knowing facts. The human brain learns new facts in one of four ways; visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic. A person may learn how to repair a car by watching someone else repair a car. Another person can learn by listening to a teacher explain the laws of physics. Others read about finance and write out their thoughts. Still, others learn by practicing how to play the guitar and piano. All can learn in any of these ways but we all are more prone to retain what we learn in one of these more than the other three.

Wisdom is understanding how things relate to each other and practically applying the knowledge. The wise person who learned how to repair cars by watching someone will eventually make modifications and new automobile designs. The wise person who learned physics through a mentor will eventually come up with new innovations in science and technology. The wise financer will understand the market and apply their knowledge to make wise investments. The wise person who learned how to play a musical instrument will eventually write popular and long-lasting melodies.

Solomon considered knowledge, wisdom, madness, and folly (17). He concluded that they are chasing after the wind. Chasing after the wind means no matter how much we apply ourselves we will never be able to capture and retain that which we seek, need, and desire. Knowing everything there is to know, discovering all there is in the universe, and applying it in incredible ways will not end up in a higher plane of existence. They will not reach bliss, peace, contentment, and wholeness.

The wise and learned people who do not acknowledge, love, and fear God come to an ever-evident truth; God does exist, created, and is very active in that which he created. The learned and wise atheist and agnostic have sorrow and grief (18). The evidence of God is made evident to them yet they still refuse to acknowledge his existence.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for (idols)." (Romans 1:18-23)

II. Pleasures Are Meaningless (2:1-11)

The Humiliation of the Heart

* See a drawing by and unknown author with the title "Pious addresses of the heart to God wherein is shown its departure from and return to God in forty seven divine emblems illustrated with copper plates". This emblem depicts an angel operating a press that squeezes the heart of a woman crouched down beside it. The image is titled with the Latin CORDIS HUMILIATIO, which translates "the humiliation of the heart," and is accompanied by text of Ecclesiastes 2:2. This is the fifteenth in a series of 47 emblems published anonymously and adapted from Benedictine writer Benedict van Haeften's Schola Cordis (1629). Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>4. How is the pursuit of pleasure meaningless? (1)

* Ecclesiastes 2:1 "I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless."

* "I thought in my heart" -Solomon, the author again states that he decided to undertake this experiment on himself. He did not tell anyone.

* "I will test you with pleasure" -The pleasure here is of all kinds; physical, mental, and emotional. Solomon used his own body in the experiment while being about to judge the results.

* "to find out what is good." -He had a clear objective in his experiment.

* "pleasure" -The pleasure here is not the same as the satisfaction and joy from toilsome labor he later expresses as what is best in life (3:12-13). The pleasure here is for pleasure sake.

* Solomon is not saying seeking pleasure is wrong or immoral and unethical. Rather, he found that after filling himself up with pleasure it proved to be meaningless. Joy and laughter is not the ends to beat all ends; it is not the final and ultimate goal for mankind. Pleasure is real, but reality does not consist of filling oneself up with pleasure. Mere pleasure cannot give meaning or satisfaction to the soul. After receiving some pleasure the soul wants more. The soul wants more and more pleasure because the amount originally recieved later becomes not enough to satisfy it's cravings.

>Are comedians happy and content people? (2)

* Ecclesiastes 2:2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?""

* Comedians state generation after generation that their humor comes from their pain and agony. I have heard many state that they are not content nor at peace. Rather, humor and laughter for them is a release from a marred soul and mind.

* "foolish" -Pleasure comes and goes. What brings pleasure now will slowly not bring pleasure later unless more is applies; more drink, more drugs, more exiting amusement rides, more thrills, more comedians, more plays, more music, more movies, more sports, more sex, more effort and application are needed to get the same pleasure.

* "what does pleasure accomplish?" -Pleasure is desired satisfaction of the seven senses. (Proverbs 10:23, 21:17; Titus 3:3; James 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13-22)

* The results of living for pleasure are recorded in these verses: Proverbs 21:17 (poverty), Isaiah 47:8-9 (false security), Luke 8:14 (spiritual barrenness), Luke 12:19 (presumption), 1 Timothy 5:6 (spiritual death), and 2 Peter 2:13 (desire for incessant revelry).

>What has Solomon attempting to do? (3)

* Ecclesiastes 2:3 "I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives."

* "cheering myself with wine" -He got drunk and stayed drunk.

* "embracing folly" -Folly here implies that which has no meaning or purpose other than to excite and satisfy the seven senses.

* "my mind still guiding me with wisdom" -He did not lose himself nor his goal. Though he embraced folly he was still about to make clear and complete observations. He did not become corrupted and unable to determine the results of folly. He did not lose control of his mind and wit. He was still able to determine if folly was a good life. He remained objective.

* "I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives." -We do not have much time. So what is the best way to use this time.

* What is the point of life? What is the meaning of life? What is worth the effort to do? What is good to do?

>5. What has Solomon's palace like? (4-6; and 1 Kings 7:1-12)

* Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 "I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees."

* 1 Kings 7:1-3 "It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty wide and thirty high, with four rows of cedar columns supporting trimmed cedar beams. It was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the columns--forty-five beams, fifteen to a row."

* 1 Kings 7:6 "He made a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty wide. In front of it was a portico, and in front of that were pillars and an overhanging roof."

* 1 Kings 7:9 All these structures, from the outside to the great courtyard and from foundation to eaves, were made of blocks of high-grade stone cut to size and trimmed with a saw on their inner and outer faces."

* Solomon lived in absolute luxury his entire life. 1 Kings chapters 4 thru 11 records Solomon's splendor and of his many wives.

>What else did Solomon acquire? (7-9)

* Ecclesiastes 2:7-9 "I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me."

* "slaves" -To maintain and add to all his possessions.

* "silver and gold for myself" -1 Chronicles and 2 Kings records the massive amounts he received every year.

* "acquired men and women singers" -He owned them solely.

* "a harem" -Females exclusively for his sensual and sexual pleasure. 1 Kings 11:3 records the massive amount; 300 concubines and 700 wives.

* "the delights of the heart of man" -All men desire these. The heart of man created holy is now screwed toward the perverse. Pleasure is not perverse for God made our bodies to enjoy them. Yet like everything we use them in the place God can only fill (chasing after the wind). Some religions promise these upon death for their faithful. Biblical promise of paradise eternal has different emphasis. Paradise is only such because God dwells with man is perfect holiness and mutual love.

>What was he seeking in acquiring all this?

* Solomon was looking to solve the deepest riddles and inconsistencies of human life.

* "I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives."

The Enlightenment of the Heart

* See a drawing by and unknown author with the title "Pious addresses of the heart to God wherein is shown its departure from and return to God in forty seven divine emblems illustrated with copper plates". This emblem depicts an angel illuminating a woman's heart as she looks on. The image is titled with the Latin CORDIS ILLUMINATIO, which translates "the enlightening of the heart," and is accompanied by the text of Ecclesiastes 2:10. This is the twenty-fifth in a series of 47 emblems published anonymously and adapted from Benedictine writer Benedict van Haeften's Schola Cordis (1629). Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>6. What did he gain from hard work? (10)

* Ecclesiastes 2:10 "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor."

* Proverbs 27:20 "Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man."

* "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired" -The author, Solomon did whatever he desired with the money he made. He fully indulged in everything, no restraints.

* "I refused my heart no pleasure" -"Pleasure" here in the original Hebrew is "simha" can also be translated "joy, gladness, mirth, and rejoicing." The origin in "sameach".

* "My heart took delight in all my work" -"Delight" here in the original Hebrew is "sameah" (See above "pleasure") can also be translated "rejoice, glad, joyful, merry, merrily, and merryheated". The origin is "samach".

* "this was the reward for all my labor" -"Reward" here in the original Hebrew is "heleq" can also be translated "portion, part, flattering, inheritance, and partaker". The origin is "chaliaq".

* "work... labor" -The words "work" and "labor" here is the same Hebrew word "amal". It can also be translated "mischief, misery, travail, trouble, sorrow, grievance, grievousness, iniquity, miserable, pain, perversenes, toil, wearisome, and wickedness" depending on the usage in the sentance. Ecclesiates has "amal" more than 25 times of the 55 in the entire Bible.

* A key point in Ecclesiastes is the meaninglessness, apart from God, of toil, labor, and work. That which our toil obtains is vexation (aggravation and annoyance).

>Was it enough? (11)

* Ecclesiastes 2:11 "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."

* "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve" -His hard labor apart from God was meaningless. The end result was a shout, "Why? What is the point?"

* "everything was meaningless" -Repeated yet again. "Everything" here in the original Hebrew is "hebel" can also be translated "vanity, vain, emptiness, and altogether". Figuaratively it is something transitory and unsatisfactory. The word is used 73 times in the Old Testament.

* "a chasing after the wind" -Repeated yet again.

* "nothing was gained under the sun" -"Nothing" here in the original Hebrew is "yitron" can also be translated "no profit, no excellence, and no better."

* I have engaged in many personal and professional projects in my life. I can compare what I have done outside of God's will and only what I wanted to do. When I honestly review my life work I can see Solomon's point.

>Why doesn't material possessions satisfy our soul?

* I am conducting a self-imposed psychological examination so that I may personally understand the author's conclusion. What if I had endless wealth, unchallenged power, vast knowledge, clever wisdom, perfect health, unquestioned admiration, and was exceedingly attractive? What would I do if I had all this and was accountable only to myself; no heaven above, only sky, and no hell below? I would seek anything that would bring me pleasure (1). I would seek that which was worthwhile to do during the few days I had to live (3).

My not so hard to imagine realm would have a most glorious place to dwell in (4). Pleasant surroundings offering a touch of goodness and pleasure. Gardens and parks with flowering fruit trees and lawns carpeted with flowers and shrubs along waterfalls and lakes in vastly varying terranes occupied by all forms of animals and insects (5,6). My dwelling would include a mansion with glorious decore, pools, recreation rooms, and views of mountains, seashores, lush valleys, and exotic plants out of every large window.

My domain would include performing arts; music, dance, and acting (8.). I would create, perform, and listen to sounds and melodies to please the ear and excite emotion.

I would own and command male and female slaves who would maintain, design, build and perform (7,8.). I would have a harem of beautiful and alluring women to provide and share the delights of the heart and body (8).

I would deny myself nothing my eyes desired (10). I would refuse my heart no pleasure. I would live without restraint; my mind still guiding me with wisdom (3). I would undertake work that gave a full reward, pride, and satisfaction from well done (10).

Solomon lived the life I have only imagined. So have a few others. What is their life end conclusion? Everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained from a life without heaven above and no hell below; a world where God is kept out of (11). "Laughter is foolish. and what does pleasure accomplish (2)?"

III. Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless (2:12-16)

Book of Wisdom

* The drawing by an unknown author is titled "Wisdom of Solomon and found in the book "Book of Wisdom". The title of the book is " Biblia cu[m] concordantijs veteris & noui testamenti ex sacrorum canonum". The translation is, "The Bible with the concordances of the Old and New Testaments from the sacred canons". A scholar sits at a desk and writes in a book. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>7. Can even the powerful and rich stand alone? (12)

* Ecclesiastes 2:12 "Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?"

* "Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom" -"Widsom" here in the original Hebrew is "hokma" can also be translated "wisely, skillful man, and wits". "Hokma" appears 149 times in the Old Testament.

* "madness and folly" -"Madness" here in the original Hebrew is "holelot" and "folly" is "cikluwth". Both are only translated as madness and folly. A slange would be silliness.

* "What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?" -Solomon recognized that all his work was done by his ancestors and without his ancestors he could not be doing what he did. We do not live in a vacuum. That which was done before, though forgotten has an unavoidable impact on our life. More so, we do nothing new.

* The Teacher, Solomon switches topics starting in verse 12 and going through verse 16, a common exercise in Hebrew writing. He now returns to the subject of the folly of trying to find satisfaction in merely human wisdom.

>What did Solomon discover concerning wisdom and folly?

* Ecclesiastes 2:13 "I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness."

* Solomon here is looking at a life choice, not a personal intellect (the abilit to know and understand). He could chose to live following by wisdom ways or live following foolish ways. Wisdom is not as tightly connected and dependant on a persons intellect as most understand the two. Some of the most intellectual people do not act in wisdom, but in folly. Some that are not intellectual people act in widsom. The modern term "street smarts" encompasses these. Modern education system has its strengths and weaknesses. One weakness is that it does not impart wisdom, only facts and sometimes how-to-dos.

* "I saw that wisdom is better than folly" -Even secular wisdom is better than folly. Yet in the end it makes no different which one we choice. The end is the same, death. The book of Ecclesiastes only at the end considers life after death. The main thrust of the book is life in this world, between birth and death.

* "light is better than darkness" -The contrast between wisdom and folly is as stark as light and darkness. Like cannot have darknss and darkness cannot have light. So widsom cannot have folly and folly cannot have wisdom.

>How is wisdom better than folly? (14; Proverbs 3:13-14, 9:10)

* Ecclesiastes 2:14 "The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both."

* Proverbs 3:13-14 "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold."

* Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

* "The wise man has eyes in his head" -"Eyes" here in the original Hebrew is "ayin" can also be translated "sight, seem,color, fountain, well, face, pleased, presence, before, conceit, and think" depending on the usage in the sentance. The author, Solomon is using the word in place of understanding. The wise seek to understand themselves and the world they live in. They consider how they and others feel and act in any given situation. They ask, "When that person did and/or say that why did I react as I did?"

* "while the fool walks in the darkness" -The fool does not seek to know himself and others. The fool choses to walk in the dark. Walk in a cave or in a home without light and you will stumble, fall, and foever keep bumping into the wall.

* "the same fate overtakes them both" -Death is the end no matter what choice is made on the lifestyle.

* "The wise have eyes in his head while the fool walks in the darkness." (14) Honest routine self-examination with prayer guided by the Holy Spirit is eyes in the head. Several forms of Spirit-guided meditation exist. The ancient Christian meditation adopted and transformed by Ignatian is popular. The six steps are:
    1. Review the day with gratitude. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead your thoughts.
    2. Become aware of God's presence as you look back on the events of the day.
    3. Pay attention to your emotions and thoughts during the events of the day.
    4. What was your motivation during the event? You may be shown and remember some ways that you fell short.
    5. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
    6. Look toward tomorrow and thank God.

Whether wise with eyes in the head to lighten the soul or fool in the dark both have the same fate; death (15). Contemplate the common denominator, "Like the fool, the wise man too must die!" The person who lives under the sun, without acknowledgment of God either cares not to contemplate the unavoidable destiny or lies when they say, "I do not fear death."

>8. What did Solomon realize in verse 15? (Proverbs 1:7)

* Ecclesiastes 2:15 "Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."

* Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

* "Then I thought in my heart" -Solomon again states that he considered this himself. He had consulted no one. He had not told anyone he was studying and practically investigating life choices and life styles. If he would have told someone it might have effected the results.

* "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" -The statement of the wisest man of his time, perhaps one of the wisest in world history next to Jesus.

* "I said in my heart, 'This too is meaningless.'" -He told no one his conclusion. He told no one that this was his conclusion at each point of the investigation. The results of this examination was revealed with the writing of Ecclesiastes.

* The author's fustration continued. He could not get past the meaningless life he had lived even though he was wise, rich, and able to do whatever he wanted. He stuggled with the results and conclusions when he loved at the lives of everyone around him.

>Can wisdom or folly save us from death? (16)

* Ecclesiastes 2:16 "For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!"

* "For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered" -What a person does, all his accomplishments are eventually forgotten. It does not matter if they lived a fool's life or a life of wisdom.

* "Like the fool, the wise man too must die!" -Another time he states the obvious. Repetition in the Bible and in a book of the Bible is to make emphasis.

* No matter what life sytle a person lives they die and are fogotten. Even the greatest leaders, heros, famous, and rich are forgotten.

>How can we be saved from death? (Acts 4:8-12; Eph. 1:13-14)

* Acts 4:8-12 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone'. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

* Ephesians 1:13-14 "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."

* Through Jesus we leaen that when the body dies the soul continues (feelings, thoughts, and will). If we come into a relationship with God through Christ Jesus, God awakens our dead spirit and we will be with and in God forever.

IV. Toil is Meaningless (2:17-26)

>9. Why did Solomon begin to despair? (17-20)

* Ecclesiastes 2:17-20 "So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun."

* "So I hated life" -Solomon's hate was accompanied with fustration and astonishment. He must have thought he was so amazing and on top of all troubles and problems. He solved many problems and judged correctly and well. He designed and built amazing buildings. He was a very successful buisinessmen. Everyone admired him and wanted to be in his shoes. Yet, when he considered his life and compared it to someone who was opposite of him he was angry and dumbfounded. The truth was there and it said all his wisdom and accomplishments meant nothing in the end.

* "the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me" -"Grievous" in the original Hebrew is "ra". It was also be translated as "evil, wickedness, wicked, mischief, hurt, bad, trouble, sore, afflictin, ill, adversity, favoured, harm, naught, noisome, and sad". The Egyptian god was called ra.

* "I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun" -His hate included all his hard word "under the sun".

* "I must leave them to the one who comes after me." -One thing he hated was he worked hard, but others would enjoy it instead of him.

* "who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?" -Solomon had many sons. However, only one would reign. His name was Rehoboam. Rehoboam reigned from 930 BC to 913 BC. He turned out to be a fool who lost the kingdom when 10 tribes succeeded.

* "my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun." -"Despair" here in the original Hebrew is "ya ash" and can also be translated as "no hope and desperate".

* I have known men and women who when they become old hate life like Solomon did. Some were religious and others had nothing to do with religion. Some were wise others fools. Some were hard working and others resisted anykind of work. Some were successful and others had continual failures. Yet I knew and meet old people who were bitter and hated life. They sat in chairs and moped all day long. They wanted to die but didn't have the will to commit suicide.

>After we die what happens to all our work? (21-23)

* Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 "For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless."

* "do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill" -This sums up Solomon's work on the temple, his palace, and his Egyptian wive's house. It also includes all his other activities and projects.

* "This too is meaningless and a great misfortune." -"Misfortune" here in the original Hebrew is "ra". See above for more translations of "ra".

* "What does a man... under the sun?" -The author's conclusion is what happens "under the sun". This means a life ignoring God. Under the sun is an atheist and agnostic life style.

* "his work is pain and grief" -Though Solomon was extremely wealthy he still worked very hard.

* "even at night his mind does not rest" -Solomn and many like him do not know how to rest. They think and scheme at night while laying in bed. Their thoughts are working so much on acheiving that it invades and controls their dreams.

>10. Where does the best in life come from? (24; Phil. 4:12-13)

* Ecclesiastes 2:24 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,"

* Philippians 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

* "eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work" -This is the simple life as opposed to always trying to get ahead of everyone else and obtaining just a little bit more all the time. Solomon realized that working, accepting that which it brings, and enjoying the labors of the work (rest) is better than all the hard toil he did. Solomon was a work-aholic. Only at the end of his life he accepted that he lived the wrong life style.

* "from the hand of God" -The meaning hear is two fold. God provides such a life and God reveals this life is the best to the person who accepts and lives it.

* "God -"God" in the original translation here is "Elohim". Elohim is the only name for God in the book of Ecclesiastes.

* Every early morning before I get out of bed I set my will to the same decision and then say a short routine prayer. I have never been a morning person so that is a small miracle; the will to set a morning habit and the will to keep it. Then I write BDBD and meditate before I begin work. That too is a miracle for my morning body moves much more quickly than my morning brain.

Every evening when I get into bed I try to examine the day to find satisfaction in whatever I accomplished, set a few simple plans for tomorrow, and pray. The start and finish of the day in this way probably seems foolish to the person who does not love or fear God. Yet I have found that a person can do no better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This is from the hand of God for without him who can eat and find enjoyment (24,25)?

Solomon, as a lad started out life seeking God and his will. He finished the temple, married and started having children, became financially successful, and built a palace for himself and one for his wife. Then in mid-life, he decided to investigate the essence of life without fear and love of God. He indulged himself in everything mankind believes brings ultimate pleasure, continual fulfillment, and ever-increasing happiness. After years of living this way, he hated life because the work that is done "under the sun" was grievous to him (17). He hated all the things he had toiled for "under the sun" (18). His heart began to despair over all his toilsome labor "under the sun" (20).

I have been to many places and countries in the world. Some are well off and some are the poorest in the world. Most would say that I live in the most prosperous country in the world. Though that is true for some, for others it makes no impact on their existence. Whether well off or in need all seek to find how to escape troubles and live contented and happy. The worldly way takes hard work and sacrifices.

"What does a person get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor "under the sun" (22)? "All their days their work is pain and grief; even at night, their mind does not rest. This is meaningless (23)." For when "enough" is achieved death soon comes and all that was obtained to bring peace goes to another. "This too is meaningless and a great misfortune (21)."

A simple routine rooted in Christ is good. Jesus said at the last supper, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

>What should all acknowledge? (25)

* Ecclesiastes 2:25 "for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?"

* "enjoyment" -"Enjoyment" in the original Hebrew is in translation of the entire verse. "Akal hush hus" is the verse. The NIV agrees with most modern translations. The KJV makes no sense to the modern reader considering the verses before and after.

* "him" -God

* The heart of Ecclesiastes, a theme repeated in 3:12-13, 22, 5:18-20, 8:15, 9:7 and 12:13. Only living a simple life as God leads and guides does life have meaning and true lasting pleasure. Without him nothing satisfies, but with him we find satisfaction and enjoyment. True pleasure comes only when we acknowledge and revere God.

* Always thank God for the food and enjoyment he provides. God loves a thankful person.

>By what does God give to us? (26; Matt. 6:28-34)

* Ecclesiastes 2:26 "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."

* Matthew 6:28-34 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

* "To the man who pleases him" -We please God by faith in him, love for him, and fear of him.

* "God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness" -Seek God for understanding and wisdom.

* "the sinner" -"Sinner" in the original Hebrew is "hata" and is also translated "purify, cleanse, sin, committed, offended, blame, done, fault, harm, loss, miss, offender, purge, reconciliation, and trespass" depending on the context.

* "to the sinner he gives the task..." -For exceptions to this general principle see 8:14 and Psalm 73:1-12. The disciples ask Jesus about a man born blind, "What this the result of his sin or his parents." Jesus said neither.

* "the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God"