Spoken Words from King Solomon
Ecclesiates 1 1-18
Introduction: Utter Futility
1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9The 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.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance ofthings that are to come with those that shall come after.
12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13And 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.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16I 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.
17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Eccles. 1:2 vanity of vanities! All is vanity. This important thematic word occurs frequently throughout the book. As the book progresses, its meaning becomes clear (see Introduction: Key Themes).
Eccles. 1:3 What does man gain? This repeated question (3:9; 5:15; compare 2:11) comes out of the Preacher’s realization that “all is vanity.” If life frequently makes no sense and pleasures and achievements are fleeting, is there any significance to human existence?
Eccles. 1:4–2:26 First Catalog of “Vanities.” The Preacher gives specific examples to prove his belief that all is “vanity.”
Eccles. 1:11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor . . . of later things. The writer-Preacher believes that few people have any significant impact on the course of world history (see esv footnote).
Eccles. 1:13 unhappy business. For some reason unknown to the Preacher, God ordains that mankind should endure painful experiences in this present fallen world. The phrase under heaven is interchangeable with “under the sun” (v. 14, etc.).
Eccles. 1:14 The Preacher examined everything under the sun. However, he is unable to understand it all. He concludes that everything is vanity and a striving after wind.
Eccles. 1:15 Crooked here means “unknowable.” There will always be aspects of life in a fallen world that remain mysterious.
Eccles. 1:16 surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me. If anyone possessed the wisdom to grasp the meaning of life, it was the Preacher.
Eccles. 1:17 As part of his quest to know wisdom, the Preacher also seeks to understand madness and folly. Apparently he believes that he can better understand wisdom if he also understands its opposite.
Eccles. 1:18 Wisdom is a mixed blessing. In the process of gaining wisdom one also gains a clearer view into the tragedies of life.
BOTTOM LINE =========
Ecclesiates 2 24-26 Enjoy Work and its Benefits
Ecclesiates 2 24-26 Enjoy Work and its Benefits
2:24 There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink,
and to find enjoyment in their work.
I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
2:25 For no one can eat and drink
or experience joy apart from him.
2:26 For to the one who pleases him,God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy,
but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth –
only to give it to the one who pleases God.
This task of the wicked is Vanity – like chasing the wind!
Now if King Solomon had enough wealth, knowledge, humility to admit this why can't you? For this is the day that the LORD has made and I shall be glad and rejoice in it! This is the cure for all that stressing you out. Read the entire book it's soothing coming from a guy who had 900 + women, servants, slaves, he said we all end up at the same place.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are the vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for their will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly in the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You are needed in this world. Do not concern yourself with other worlds, for they do not exist. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding in an ordered manner.
Therefore, be at peace with nature and the mysterious process of evolution, whatever you conceive it to be; and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, strive to maintian your own inner peace while you do those things bring you happiness and contribute to the survival of humanity.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world
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