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The True Meaning to Life #3. A Study in Ecclesiastes

INTRODUCTION:

A. The book of Ecclesiastes shows in a very powerful way that there is more to life than just existing, and there is more to death than dying (there is a judgment).

B. In our previous lesson we learned how Solomon began a search for “The True Meaning To Life”

1. He observed the futility of this life as revealed in the “weariness of repetition” (1:4-11)

2. Solomon also came to know the folly of “human wisdom” (1:12-18)

3. Solomon realized that this is not where “The True Meaning To Life” is found – for these only brought grief and sorrow

C. Solomon now will now in chapter 2 begin to look elsewhere for the “True Meaning To Life”

1. Solomon begins to explore pleasure, wealth and great accomplishments

2. Also in this chapter we will see Solomon’s conclusions

3. Is “The True Meaning To Life” found in pleasure?

DISCUSSION:

A. THE VANITY OF PLEASURE

1. Solomon summarizes what he found

a. Ecclesiastes 2:1-2

b. Dissatisfied with the result of his pursuit of wisdom, Solomon now embarks on a journey in the acquisition of pleasure

c. Solomon was in search of “The Good Life”

d. His conclusion: It’s “vain” – It’s “madness”

2. Solomon describes what he did:

a. Gives himself to food and folly

1) Ecclesiastes 2:3

2) Laughter may relax and ease the mind, but when it becomes the totality of life it is madness and vanity.

3) Mirth, merrymaking, reveling, and such like must not be the bench mark of one’s life.

b. Gives himself to aesthetic improvements

1) Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

2) Solomon had a great passion for erecting magnificent buildings – he erected cities (1 Kgs. 9:15-19), and it took 13 years to build his own home (1 Kgs. 7:1-11).

3) Solomon had a great love for nature planting many garden type parks

4) Solomon also took great care to provide his capitol with water, and vast operations were undertaken for this purpose

c. Gives himself to cultural improvements

1) Ecclesiastes 2:7-8

2) To give you an idea of the number of cattle that Solomon had note 1 Kings 8:63

3) 1 Kings 10:14-27 give us an idea of his wealth

4) Solomon also gave himself fully to the “Arts”

d. The extent of Solomon’s indulgences

1) Ecclesiastes 2:9-10

2) Solomon had more than any before him, while retaining his wisdom

3) He had everything he desired and could find pleasure in

e. Solomon’s conclusion

1) Ecclesiastes 2:11

2) Solomon examined carefully all that he had acquired and concludes that it is all vanity

3) There is no profit “under the sun” – mentioned 29 times in Ecclesiastes

B. SOLOMON HATES LIFE “UNDER THE SUN”

1. He reflects on his wisdom

a. Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

b. Solomon contemplated “wisdom” and “madness” and realized that “wisdom” far out weighed “madness and folly” in benefit – as the light excels the darkness

1) Wisdom brings advantage over others (7:11)

2) Wisdom brings protection (7:12)

3) Wisdom brings strength (7:19)

4) Wisdom is better than weapons (9:18)

5) Wisdom brings success (10:10)

c. But Solomon also realized that the ultimate advantage of wisdom is vanity – for both the wise and th efool die

d. After death, there is no more remembrance of the wise than there is of the fool

e. Thus, Solomon hated life, because of all the work done “under the sun” – it is a “striving after wind”

2. He reflects on his labor

a. Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

b. Solomon came to hate his labor, for he realized that when he died he would be forced to leave it to another

c. And who knows if who he leaves it to will be a fool or wise?

d. And no only that, he will leave to one who has not had to labor for it – Solomon did not think this was right

e. Solomon thinks, “In the end what do I have for all my labors – sorrows, grief, and restlessness.”

3. Looking at life “under the sun,” trying to find “The True Meaning To Life” – Solomon comes to hate life.

a. But as he said, “my wisdom remained with me” (2:9)

b. With this wisdom he shares for the first time what one should do in life

C. SOLOMON ACCEPTS LIFE “FROM THE HAND OF GOD”

1. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

2. For the first time Solomon looks “above the sun”

a. Solomon says it is good to enjoy the things of life

b. We should enjoy what God has provided us with.

c. 1 Timothy 6:16

3. Solomon realized that true enjoyment of the things of this life come only we put God first in our lives -putting worldly things secondary

a. Solomon, from a spiritual standpoint, saw that the ability to enjoy one’s labor is a gift from God

b. No one can truly enjoy life without God

4. God blesses the obedient with true wisdom and joy

CONCLUSION:

A. For the first time Solomon introduces God into the picture

1. He had been looking at life “from under the sun”

2. “From under the sun” life was only “vanity and a striving after wind”

B. “The True Meaning To Life” will be developed further as we work our way through Ecclesiastes – but for now realize that true happiness is not found in worldly wisdom and pleasure, it is only found in God