Two phrases are repeated often in Ecclesiastes. The word translated as “vanity” in the KJV, and “meaningless” in the NIV appears often, and is used to emphasize the temporary nature of worldly things. In the end, even the most impressive human achievements will be left behind. The phrase “under the sun” occurs 28 times, and refers to the mortal world. When the Preacher refers to “all things under the sun,” he is talking about earthly, temporary, human things.
We’ll start off reading the entire first chapter.
Scripture verses (1 – 11)
Ecclesiastes 1:1-12 (KJV), “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. ”
Have you ever heard the expression, “Life is like a treadmill?” Why would some people compare life to a treadmill? It is because, like on a treadmill, you exert so much effort in running or walking, but the problem is that you don’t go anywhere. Unfortunately, today, many people still feel that their lives are empty and meaningless despite all their hard work.
Here is a perfect example of this feeling: On October 6, 1993, after winning his 3rd NBA championships and 7th consecutive scoring titles, Michael Jordan, at the age of 30, announced his retirement from playing basketball in Chicago, saying, “The game offered no more challenges to motivate him, so he was walking away from it.”
Let me assure you that Michael Jordan is not the only one who felt this way about life. Perhaps, some of you feel the same way. Well, thousands of years ago, there was a man with more power, more money, and more popularity than Michael Jordan, who also struggled with the lack of meaning of his life. His name is King Solomon, and he is the author of the book of Ecclesiastes.
Solomon was the wisest man who had walked on earth, second after Jesus Christ. Also, with the books he had written, it would be helpful to establish the time in his life when he wrote each one of them:
- Song of Solomon – as a young man, he wrote a story of deep love and devotion.
- Proverbs – As a middle-aged man, he wrote a collection of profound and practical sayings about life.
- Ecclesiastes – As an elderly, after going down every path, he testified the most of it was just a chasing of the wind.
I would like to present what our true meaning of life is, and that, of course is, Jesus as our true meaning of life. I believe it is essential to know that during the later time of Solomon’s life, he began to have this struggle of going through a monotonous cycle of life and not having a fuller understanding of the meaning of why he was doing what he was doing.
Do you sometimes find yourself struggling with the same problem? The good thing about Solomon is that he wouldn’t just sit around waiting for the answers to come to him; he would commit himself to do whatever was necessary to find the answers to his struggle proactively. Having been blessed with a great mind and vast resources, he felt more than capable of finding his solutions. As we now look at the book of Ecclesiastes, we would literally find the document, which recorded King Solomon’s quest for answers. I will divide the study of this book into three major sections:
- Solomon’s personal concerns
- Solomon’s personal cross-examinations
- Solomon’s personal conclusions
I SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CONCERNS
Scripture verse (1)
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (KJV), “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
The word comes from ekklésia, which means “assembly” or “church”, and indicates someone who calls an assembly.
It is significant to note in verse 1 that King Solomon introduces himself as the “Preacher.” The Greek equivalent of this word is [ekklésia] Ecclesiastes, where we got the title of the book. In the Bible, whenever this word is used, it refers to someone who addresses an assembly of people with an important message. Therefore, it is safe to assume that King Solomon wanted to impress all his readers that in this book, he is bringing to them a special message that they should not ignore.
Scripture verse (2)
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (KJV), “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Then, as you move to verse 2, King Solomon provides us right away with the conclusion of his search, taken from the Hebrew word “Hebel,” which could be translated as vanity, empty, or meaningless (vapor). I like that you don’t have to wait until the last chapter of the book to know the conclusion. But, you need to go through the process of his search to understand the impact of his conclusion fully.
Scripture verse (3)
Ecclesiastes 1:3 (KJV), “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?”
Now, beginning in verse 3, King Solomon verbalizes his actual personal concern by asking a question that many of you might be asking until today – What does man gain by all the toil [work or drudgery] at which he toils under the sun? If we paraphrase this question, it could be stated – What do people achieve out of all their hard work under the sun? Without a doubt, there is a point in our lives when we all had begun asking this question. It’s just practical. With the short life that we have and, honestly, the amount of time we spend working every day, it would be great to be convinced we have consumed our lives, fulfilling our primary purpose of existence at the end of our lives.
You see, if you go back to the text starting from verse 4 until verse 11, he explains how he came up with this conclusion that his life was all vanity. Why? When King Solomon watched the endless cycle or routine of life, he concludes that nothing changes in life; everyone goes through repetitive activities. However, to qualify Solomon’s perspective, it is critical to emphasize the phrase in verse 3, “under the sun.”
If you check the statement of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:20, he clearly explains that because of sin, the whole creation has been subjected to emptiness or futility:
Romans 8:20 (KJV), “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.”
So, if you are asking, “Why am I so bored with life?” The obvious answer you will find in the book is that you have failed to connect your life with Jesus, who can give you the meaning you need in life. In other words, all the experiences that he considered meaningless were all his experiences under the sun. The truth of the matter is that if we want to discover the true meaning of life, we need to look for someone above the sun because it is only Him who can help us find meaning in this life. The apostle Paul saw the reality of this truth. He can declare:
Philippians 1:21 (KJV), “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Going back to the book of Ecclesiastes, it is evident that King Solomon will also arrive with the same conclusion. Let’s move to our second section:
II SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CROSS-EXAMINATIONS
Since King Solomon had some personal concerns that he wanted to be answered, beginning in verse 12 to the following chapters, he will give himself to some thorough cross-examinations or investigations of some areas which he thought can give meaning to life. The truth of the matter is that all of us are in pursuit of something which we believe will provide us with meaning and purpose in life. The central issue is: What is the highest good for us? Or what will bring us the highest satisfaction in life?Here are the following areas that King Solomon explored:
1. Discovery
Ecclesiastes 1:10-11 (KJV), “10 Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”
2. Wisdom & Philosophy
Ecclesiastes 1:13-18 (KJV), “13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
King Solomon valued wisdom in life, so he did not hesitate to ask it from God (1 Kings 3:1-15). With his great wisdom, he spent a lot of his time studying the different philosophies of the world. Many people think that if they have a deeper understanding of life’s complexities, their existence will be meaningful. However, King Solomon’s conclusion about summarized in Ecclesiastes 1:18:
Ecclesiastes 1:18 (KJV), “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
3. Pleasure (2:1-3)
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 (KJV), “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.”
When the intellectual pursuit failed King Solomon, the next he considered was a pleasure. If you read the passage, he tried everything that he thought would make him happy. Have you ever asked yourself – What can make me happy? Let me give you a little warning about this pursuit because, during these last days, the Bible warns that it is so easy to fall in love with pleasure more than being in love with God.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 (KJV), “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
4. Projects (2:4-6)
Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 (KJV), “4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees.”
The third that King Solomon tried to pursue was significant projects like houses, parks, gardens, pools, etc. Just like so many people today who attempt to fill their lives with significant accomplishments, he thought they would give him meaning. But they also failed him.
5. Possessions (2:7-10)
Ecclesiastes 2:7-10 (KJV), “7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.”
Lastly, King Solomon acquired anything and everything his eyes desired. He did not withhold anything from himself. Of course, the question that needs to be asked is: Did they make him happy? Not at all! Allow me to remind you that riches people are not necessarily the most satisfied people. The pleasures he got from all his acquisitions were fleeting and temporary. Listen to how to put in:
Ecclesiastes 2:18-20 (KJV), “18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.”
If you examine carefully the research work that King Solomon did, I’m sure you would agree with me that it was exhaustive and thorough. Any researcher will tell you that once someone had already done in-depth research, it would be foolish to repeat it unless you can guarantee a different conclusion. Unfortunately, many are still going back to the same pursuits only to find the same conclusions. So, what are the conclusions of King Solomon? Let’s move to the last point:
III SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS
Finally, after spending so much time, energy, and resources, King Solomon will share his conclusions in the book’s last chapter. Let’s go through them together:
1. Remember Your Creator
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV), “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”
Since King Solomon failed to find meaning and purpose in everything he pursued under the sun, it would be reasonable to get back to God. Please notice that the title he used for God is not Savior or Redeemer; he specifically used the title “Creator.” If someone could tell us precisely the meaning of our existence, it would be the One who designed us, right?
It is also significant to emphasize the phrase, “in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not.” Do you know when the best time to know the meaning of life is? It is when you are still young when you are at the peak of your strength. Obviously, the evil days he talked about is when we get older, and our bodies begin to have many aches and pains or many physical challenges and diseases.
2. Revere God
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV), “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Lastly, King Solomon concludes that all of us need to “Fear God and keep his commandments.” This concept of fearing God and obedience is inseparable. If you recognize God as the Sovereign Ruler of your life, then you would submit and obey Him. If you highlight verse 14, it presents the motivation we need to fear and obey Him –Certainty of His coming judgment. Whether we like it or not, every one of us will have to face the ultimate Judge of our lives.
In closing, we must take these two conclusions according to their order. First, you have to be connected to your creator by believing and receiving Jesus Christ in your heart. Second, walk closely with Him every single day, submitting and obeying Him. If you can do both, I can guarantee you, instead of being restless, you will find rest in Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30:
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV), “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Source:
Bible Church International
Gotquestions.com
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