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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven: Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 – Power and Wealth: God’s Perspective

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. 

10 The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. 11 When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes? 12 The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep. 

13 There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. 14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. 16 This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind? 17 What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. 

18 Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. 19 God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, 20 for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart. 

6 Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:  2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy. 3 A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. 5 Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6 And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place? 

7 All man’s labor is for his stomach,

yet the appetite is never satisfied. 

8 What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 

10 Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. 11 For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun? (HCSB)

There are several ways to divide this passage, but I’ll be using the following outline.

  • Political corruption – verses 5:8-9.
  • Wealth – verses 5:10-6:9.
  • The proper perspective – verses 6:10-12.

Political Corruption

The teacher is telling the readers they shouldn’t be shocked when they see or hear about corruption in high places within a government. He makes several points in these two verses.

  • When a government has multiple levels of administration, it is inevitable that corruption will occur.
  • When there is a large number of officials who have an opportunity to make themselves rich through the abuse of political power, some will succumb to the temptation.
  • Oppression, even if conducted by individuals, has structural and systemic aspects. 
  • Often, numerous people at different levels within the organizational structure work together to oppress the less fortunate and benefit themselves.
  • Verse nine does present some difficulty and generated much debate.
    • It could simply mean the king is at the top and in control of the oppressive structure.
    • In contrast, it could mean that the king keeps the oppressive structure from being overbearing, allowing all members of society to benefit in at least a small measure.

The teacher now moves from the issue of oppression for personal gain to the root cause of oppression.

Wealth

The love of money is the root cause of oppression. Money has become a false god, incapable of satisfying the hunger and thirst of a person obsessed with it: “whoever loves money never has money enough.” Profit won’t fulfill those who pursue it, but it only feeds the insatiable desire for more.

In chapter two, the teacher had already discussed the futility of wealth, and some of those same ideas are repeated here. However, a difference in this section is that he refutes some of the myths people have about wealth. Because people hold fast to these illusions, they rob themselves of the blessings God has for them. Here are the myths the teacher refutes.

  • Wealth brings satisfaction.
    • Some people treat money as a god.
    • They’ll do anything to get it, and once they get it, they think the money can accomplish whatever they desire.
    • Their minds are controlled by getting more money.
    • These people place their faith in money, not God.
    • However, money will never satisfy, no matter how much anyone has.
    • 1 Timothy 6:10a  For the love of money is a root  of all kinds of evil.
  • Money solves every problem.
    • People do need a certain amount of money in order to live in this world.
    • But money itself is not the remedy for every problem.
    • Often, an increase in wealth creates new problems.
    • A quote from John Wesley sums up how Christians should view wealth, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
  • Wealth brings peace of mind.
    • There is no correlation between wealth and peace of mind.
    • The teacher tells us that the rich will not have sound and peaceful sleep.
    • John D. Rockefeller became the world’s only billionaire at the age of fifty-three.
      • But he lived on crackers and milk and couldn’t sleep because of worry.
      • Once he started to give his money away, his health dramatically improved, and he lived to the age of ninety-eight.
  • Wealth provides security.
    • The teacher paints the picture of two men in verses 13-17.
    • One hoarded all his wealth and became a miser.
    • The other  made unsound investments and lost his wealth.
      • He was back to where he started.
      • He had no estate to leave to his son.
      • He spent the remainder of his days in discouragement and didn’t enjoy life.

In his narratives on poverty and wealth, the teacher is not advocating in favor of either path; each has its own problems. He is warning the reader against the love of money and the misplaced belief that wealth will bring happiness.

In the last three verses of chapter five, the teacher tells the reader how to approach work and money.

  • What should be considered good?
    • To labor faithfully in the work assigned to us.
    • To enjoy the good things in life, eating and drinking.
    • Accept these things as a gift from God.
  • When we have this perspective about life, we will enjoy what we have and not be envious of what others have.
  • Our hearts will be filled with joy, knowing that what we have, whether it is little or much, comes from God.
  • The ability to enjoy life’s blessings is also a gift from God.
    • We thank God for our food when we say grace.
    • How often do we thank God for our taste buds which allow us to enjoy the taste of the food?
  • The important thing is to love the Lord, accept the lot He gives us, and enjoy the blessings He graciously gives to us.
    • If we focus on the gifts more than the giver, we are guilty of idolatry.
    • If we accept the gifts but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude.
    • If we hoard His gifts and don’t share them, we are guilty of indulgence.
    • However, if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll be satisfied.

As we move into chapter six, the teacher continues the basic discussions about wealth.

  • The teacher observed time and again where people accumulated wealth but were unable to enjoy it.
  • Think about how frustrating it would be to have great wealth but to be unable to enjoy the blessings of life.
  • In the example in verse two, the wealthy man had great wealth, but he had no heir to pass it along to. Instead, all that he had went to a complete stranger after his death.
  • In verses 3-6, the teacher is making a hypothetical case, as no one person could live for two thousand years or father a hundred children.
    • No matter how much someone possesses, if you don’t have the power to enjoy it, it would be better to have never been born.
    • This man had plentiful resources and a large family, both of which were marks of God’s favor to an Old Testament Jew.
    • But his family didn’t love him. When he died, there was no mourning for his passing.
    • In reality, this rich man was actually very poor.
  • The ability to enjoy life comes from the inside. It’s a matter of character and not circumstances.
    • Philippians 4:11  I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
    • The Greek word translated as “content,” contains the idea of “self-contained, adequate, needing nothing from the outside.”
    • Paul contained within his being all the resources he needed to face life with courage and triumph over the challenges he faced.
    • Philippians 4:13  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

The teacher now contrasts the poor man’s situation with the wealthy man.

  • Both the rich and the poor need to work in order to live.
    • The rich man can use his money to “work” for him.
    • The poor man has to use his energy to provide for himself and his family.
    • However, neither ends up being satisfied.
  • Why do people eat? So they can live. But what good does it do to add years to our lives if we’re not able to add life to our years?
  • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to work or to eat.
    • It is possible to enjoy doing both.
    • But if our lives consist only of working and eating, we are controlled by our appetites and are no better than animals.
    • We are made in the image of God, and we shouldn’t live as animals.
  • Verse 9 is an early version of the saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
    • The Greek philosopher Plutarch said, “He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.”
    • The teacher is saying, “It’s better to have a little and enjoy it than to dream about much and never attain it.”
    • Dreams can quickly become nightmares.
    • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to dream great dreams, but we must be careful that our dreams are motivated by and for the glory of God and not the praise of men.
    • We should desire to serve others and not promote ourselves.
    • Psalm 16:11  You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

The Proper Perspective

  • Up to this point, the teacher has observed that life is a dead-end street for two kinds of people.
    • Those who have riches but experience no enjoyment.
    • Those who labor but have no satisfaction.
  • But he also pointed out that true happiness is not an automatic result of making a good living; it is the blessed result of making a good life.
    • If you devote your life only to the pursuit of happiness, you will be miserable.
    • If you devote your life to doing God’s will, you will also find happiness.
  • It appears the teacher is touching on five questions people often ask in the last three verses of this passage.
    • Because “what’s going to be is going to be, why bother to make decisions? Isn’t it all predestined anyway?
      • Our world is not a prison; we have the freedom to act as we see fit.
      • God can accomplish His divine purpose with or without us, but He invites us to work with Him.
      • We cooperate when we accept the names He has given to things; sin, obedience, and truth.
      • When we change the meaning of these names, we move into a world of illusion and lose touch with reality.
      • We are free to make choices, but we aren’t free to change the consequences.
    • Why disagree with God? We can’t oppose Him, can we?
      • The word “contend” means to dispute. 
      • It doesn’t pay to argue or fight with God.
      • The will of God comes from the heart of God and is an expression of His love for us.
      • God’s will is the best path for each of us.
      • Insisting on our “freedom of choice” is actually the worst kind of bondage.
      • Our greatest freedom is when we are lost in the will of God.
    • What do we accomplish with all of these words? Does talking about it solve the problem?
      • At times it seems that the more we discuss an issue, the less we understand it.
      • Words can bring clarity, but they can also bring confusion and darkness.
      • Only God’s Word can bring clarity and wisdom.
    • Who knows what’s good for us?
      • Only God does.
      • A person is wise if they take time and listen to what God says.
      • 1 John 2:17b  but the one who does God’s will remains forever.
    • Does anybody know what’s coming next?
      • Nobody knows the future except for God.
      • It’s a waste of time to speculate.
      • God will give us enough information to encourage us.
      • The future certainty is death. We need to make the best use of our present opportunities before we pass from this world.

Applications

  • We must peacefully fight oppression wherever and whenever we see it.
    • If it’s within an organization or group you are a part of; you may be able to confront it directly.
    • If it’s outside your direct control or ability to impact it, peacefully organized demonstrations to fight against it.
  • Find a healthy balance between work, stuff, and leisure time that aligns with God’s will. This may require changes to one or more areas of your life. A question to ask yourself is, “are you content and joyful with your current circumstances in life?” If the answer is no, then adjustments are needed.
  • In the end, each of us will die and spend eternity in one of two places. This reality begs us to ask two questions to ourselves.
    • Have you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, secure in spending eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Or are you still walking in disobedience, and if you died today, you’d spend eternity separated from God in hell?
    • If you are a follower of Christ, are you making the most of your time to glorify God and advance His kingdom? If you aren’t, repent and get back on track to fulfilling your God-given purpose.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten

Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 – Authentic Religion

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2  Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 For dreams result from much work and a fool’s voice from many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For many dreams bring futility, so do many words.  Therefore, fear God. (HCSB)

In the previous sections, the teacher made observations about the courtroom, the marketplace, the highway, and the palace. Now, in chapter five, he visits the temple.

As we move into chapter five, the teacher addresses the issue of our tongue. As we look through Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, we see numerous times where the tongue and its use are addressed. As we review these examples, keep in mind the tongue can both tear down as well as build up others. The tongue can inflame a situation, or it can calm a situation. The question to ask is, do we control our tongue, or does our tongue control us?

Proverbs 10:20  The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 12:18  There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:19  Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

Proverbs 15:2  The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4  The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. 

Proverbs 18:21  Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:13  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Matthew 12:36  I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.

James 1:26  If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

James 3:6  And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 

1 Peter 3:10  For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the passage.

  • In a macro sense, the teacher observed many who were not sincere in their worship.
    • They were robbing God of the reverence and honor He deserved.
    • Their acts of worship were fleeting, insincere, and hypocritical.
    • The phrase “Guard your steps” should be interpreted as “proceed with reverence.”
  • In the context of the worshippers in Jerusalem at this time, God’s presence dwelt in the temple.
    • For worshippers during this period in Israel’s history, coming into the temple should have been a reverent act.
    • For worshippers today, even though God doesn’t “dwell” in the church building, gathering together as believers and worshipping God should be done with a proper heart attitude.
    • Isaiah 1:10-20  Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 “What are all your sacrifices to Me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who requires this from you—this trampling of My courts? 13 Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. 14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them. 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil. 7 Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. 18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 
    • During the temple period, animals were sacrificed to atone for sins. When Jesus went to the cross and sacrificed His life for us, animal sacrifices were no longer required. However, every believer has a priestly identity; we do, in a manner of speaking, offer sacrifices to God.
      • Our bodies – Romans 12:1-2  Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you  to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
      • Witness to others – Romans 15:6  so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.
      • Our money – Philippians 4:18  But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
      • Our praise and good works – Hebrews 13:15-16  Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
      • Psalm 51:17  The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
    • Sacrifices are not a substitute for obedience. We only need to consider the example of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:12-23.
    • As we consider this first verse, let’s consider two attributes about God that anyone who goes to worship should remember.
      • God is holy. Worshipping God should be considered holy.
        • The day of worship – Exodus 16:23  He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’ ”
        • The place of worship – Exodus 26:33-34  Hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony there behind the veil, so the veil will make a separation for you between the holy place and the most holy place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
        • The offering – Leviticus 6:25-27  Tell Aaron and his sons: This is the law of the sin offering. The sin offering is most holy and must be slaughtered before the Lord at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. 26 The priest who offers it as a sin offering is to eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the tent of meeting. 27 Anything that touches its flesh will become holy, and if any of its blood spatters on a garment, then you must wash that garment in a holy place.
        • The priests – Leviticus 21:7  They are not to marry a woman defiled by prostitution. They are not to marry one divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. 
        • The worshippers – 2 Chronicles 20:21  Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.
      • Holiness is not just an Old Testament theme.
        • Jesus drove the money changers from the temple – Matthew 21:12-13  Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”
        • Reflection before taking communion – 1 Corinthians 11:27-28  Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup.
        • Act in a manner reflecting reverence and godly fear – Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
      • Holiness has three dimensions.
        • Reverence towards the one we worship.
        • It means to be “set apart for God.”
        • The worshipper and worship need to be pure and sinless.
    • The authority of God.
      • Our understanding of God’s authority comes from Scripture.
        • John 4:24  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
        • Worshipping in truth, means to understand and know truth, which is Scripture.
      • Too often, God’s people are concerned about how the message is produced and given instead of the content of the message.
      • You may have heard the phrase “Form over substance” before. However, that’s backward. We should be more concerned about substance and not pay so much attention to form.
    • When we have the right attitude regarding worship, the rest of the observations the teacher makes in the remaining verses of this passage will no longer be a concern.
  • Verses two and three address the issue of speaking too quickly or saying too much. Both of these represent cases where our tongue gets us in trouble. In these verses, the teacher is addressing prayers to God.
    • Prayers should never be spoken in a flippant or casual manner.
    • Most of us have been given opportunities to present some type of speech or presentation before others, maybe even during a very important event. When those occasions arise, do we just “wing it,” or do we diligently prepare our words and take them seriously?
    • We should have the same attitude when we speak to God.
      • It’s true that sometimes we may not know what to say, but the Holy Spirit will lead us.
      • What we should have is a reverent attitude towards God as we enter into prayer.
      • Our heart condition is the most important aspect of our prayer life. Enter into prayer with a humble and repentant heart.
    • Don’t pray rashly or ramble, trying to make an eloquent petition. God doesn’t need either or honor either one.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
      • Matthew 12:34-37  Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account  for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
      • Spurgeon was once quoted saying, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers, that makes the difference.”
  • Verses four through seven address the issue of making vows to God.
    • God doesn’t require us to make vows, but if we do make one, we must be sure to honor the vow.
      • Deuteronomy 23:21-23  If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin. 23 Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the Lord your God.
      • Acts 18:18  So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae because he had taken a vow.
    • However, vows were an integral part of Jewish worship.
    • The teacher is implying that many vows made to God are not necessary, but once made, they must be kept. The most tragic is the story of Jephthah and his daughter in Judges 11:29-40.
    • The teacher addressed two sins when making vows.
      • Making a vow with no intention of keeping it. In essence, people who do this are lying to God.
      • Making a vow but not honoring it in a timely manner. In some cases, the person who made the vow may be looking for a way to get out of it.
    • God hears what we say and will hold us to our promises. The only exception would be those vows which are completely foolish.
    • If circumstances prevent us from completing it or it’s delayed, God understands and won’t hold the vow against us.
    • We shouldn’t make vows in an effort to impress others. 
    • At times, believers live in a religious dream world.
      • They believe that words are as good as deeds.
      • Their worship is not serious, which makes their words not dependable.
      • They practice a make-believe religion that neither glorifies God nor builds Christian character.
    • Psalm 66:13-14  I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows 14 that my lips promised and my mouth spoke during my distress.
    • When we rob God of the worship and honor He is due, we rob ourselves of the spiritual blessings He gives to those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
    • The identity of the “messenger” in verse six needs to be broached. Who was the messenger?
      • God.
      • An angel, possibly the angel of death.
      • A prophet.
      • A priest.
      • A messenger from the temple.
    • The most likely identity is the last one, a messenger from the temple. This person was sent by the priest to collect unfulfilled vows.

Applications

  • Prepare your heart as you enter into worship. This applies to corporate worship at the various church services during the week. It also applies to small group meetings and your personal prayer time with God. Each of these, as well as our daily lives, is an act of worship. We must enter it with the proper heart condition.
  • Before you make any promise to God, take time to count the cost. God would rather have you reflect on your potential vow and even change it if you can’t keep it, rather than make a vow and then fail to stay true to your word. Once you do make a vow, fulfill it in full and in a timely manner.
  • In all our actions, words, and deeds, we should have a reverent fear of God. When we walk in that manner, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll experience the blessings and protection of God.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Nine

Ecclesiastes Lesson Nine: Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 – The Tears of the Lonely and Disillusioned

Again, I saw futility under the sun: 8 There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “So who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself from good?” This too is futile and a miserable task. 

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. 

13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings. 14 For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. 15 I saw all the living, who move about under the sun, follow a second youth who succeeds him. 16 There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. (HCSB)

I’ll be breaking this lesson into two parts.

  • The importance of family and friends – verses 7-12.
  • Poor and wise is better than foolish and powerful – verses 13-16.

The Importance of Family and Friends

In this section, the teacher observes the importance of family and friends and the uselessness of wealth and possessions for the lonely. Let’s take a deeper look at this section of the passage.

  • The teacher observed the struggles of a person without any family or friends.
    • In this example, the loneliness is self-inflicted.
      • People become slaves to their work.
      • They’re never satisfied with what they have.
      • Money and possessions are their family.
    • The drive to satisfy their “worldly appetite” ends up driving their family and friends away.
      • The preoccupation with “stuff” prevents them from establishing and cultivating relationships.
      • Or it drives others away because they see that “stuff” is all the person is concerned with.
    • This example is personified in the person who has achieved things in life, maybe even seemingly great things, but when they look around, they’ve left a trail of broken family ties and friendships behind.
    • Success is meaningless when it consumes the person, resulting in absolute loneliness.
    • At the same time, the teacher is not condemning a strong work ethic.
      • It’s good to have a strong work ethic.
      • But it must be balanced with the other aspects of life.
      • People must enjoy the fruits of their labor and leisure time.
  • After observing the struggles of those who choose to live in isolation, the teacher now turns to the importance of family and friends and living in community.
    • Working in groups is more efficient than working alone.
      • Two or more workers can accomplish more than a solitary worker.
      • Even after dividing the profits, the increased efficiency results in greater benefits.
      • Difficult jobs are also easier in groups.
        • Some jobs are very difficult or even impossible to do alone.
        • When the work is tiring or difficult, work partners can offer encouragement to each other.
    • The idea of falling should be viewed in two ways.
      • The first is the physical act of falling.
        • Depending on the situation, a person may need help in getting back up after falling. Maybe they’ve fallen into a hole (think of ancient civilization roads) or down an embankment.
        • They may have fallen and injured themselves. In this situation, they’re incapable of getting out of the situation themselves.
      • The second view is of spiritual falling.
        • A person may be struggling with sin or an addiction. One or more people to “lift them up” is invaluable in overcoming the temptation.
        • When believers live in community, they can mutually support each other through prayer and the use of their spiritual gifts.
      • Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
    • Having companions will also prove beneficial when stranded in poor weather.
      • It’s a proven scientific fact that when people are stranded in cold conditions, and there isn’t a heat source or a way to make a fire, sharing body heat is the best solution.
      • The statement from the teacher doesn’t carry any sexual innuendo. It’s a practical application to survive in adverse conditions.
      • There is also a metaphorical understanding that emotional comfort is provided against the coldness of the world.
    • Finally, being in groups was a safety-conscious decision.
      • Traveling alone was dangerous, regardless of the time of day.
      • Even King David was grateful for a friend who stepped in during a time of need. 2 Samuel 21:15-17  The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted. 16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giant, whose bronze spear weighed about eight pounds and who wore new armor, intended to kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him: “You must never again go out with us to battle. You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel.”
  • The teacher followed a pattern that was typical in Hebrew literature.
    • He started with “one” in verse eight.
    • He moved to “two” in verse nine.
    • He finished with “three” in verse twelve.
    • One cord could be easily broken. Two provided more strength. But three cords were even better. Three cords required unity, a picture of friendship.

Poor and Wise is Better than Foolish and Powerful

This is the fourth time in chapter four that the teacher uses the term “better.” It introduces a story that teaches two timeless truths; the instability of political power and the variability of popularity. Let’s dig deeper into these last few verses.

  • The story in these verses is about a king and a wise young man who is poor.
    • Early in the king’s rule, he listened to his advisors’ advice and ruled with wisdom.
      • As he got older, the king no longer listened to his advisors.
      • It would be easy to assume the change was due to senility or inflated pride. However, the problem was likely deeper than this.
        • The king was probably surrounded by advisors who were more concerned with their position and making the king happy than they were about providing sound advice.
        • Their poor advice would isolate the king from what was actually happening around him.
        • In return, these advisors were able to live in comfort at the expense of the general populace.
        • This situation is common with weak leaders who are more concerned about themselves than they are about their people.
      • Regardless of traditional thought, neither age nor might ensure wisdom and success.
    • The youth is “better” than the king because he understands to pay attention to warnings.
    • This youth is also the person referenced in verse fifteen who succeeds the old king.
      • The first “youth” should be understood as the now old king.
      • This second youth now uses his energy and political cunning to steal the hearts of the people who have grown tired of the now distant, inflexible, and old king.
      • A perfect example of this situation is Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne from David.
      • However, this is not the solution or end of the story.
  • The teacher is indicating the change in leadership will be a continuous loop, repeating itself endlessly throughout history.
    • Power is a fleeting commodity.
    • Being the leader is a temporary position.
    • Each one is just a timestamp in the historical timeline of the earth.

As we conclude our study of chapter four, there are a few principles the teacher is attempting to highlight.

  • Life doesn’t stand still. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we must face life head-on, with God’s help, and make the most of it.
  • We need family and friends in life. We may think there are advantages to being independent, but there are also disadvantages. These disadvantages become heavier as we get older.
  • Everyone needs balance in their life. It’s good to have the things that money can buy as long as you don’t lose the things money can’t buy. Are you sacrificing what should be permanent to get what will end up being temporary?
  • Mark 8:36-37  For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?  37 What can a man give in exchange for his life?

Applications

  • Take stock of the relationships you have with your family and friends. Have you placed the pursuit of “worldly” desires before those relationships? Our family should never suffer as a result of our jobs. There may be times when situations arise, causing financial hardship. However, as much as possible, those should be temporary in nature. Our spouses and children are gifts from God. They are more valuable than all the money in the world.
  • Be involved in mutually supportive relationships. Extend help to others in their times of need. Accept help from others when you need it. Don’t let pride prevent you from accepting help. 
  • No matter what stage of life we’re in, we need truthful friends who aren’t afraid to “tell it like it is.” At times that may ruffle our feathers, but it will also keep us on the “narrow road.” Don’t be the “foolish king” in your relationships. At the same time, if you have friends who are suffering from the “foolish king” syndrome, speak the truth in love to them. They may not thank you right away, but once the situation clears, it’s almost certain they will value what you said.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eight

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eight: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 – The Tears of the Oppressed and Frustrated.

Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun.  Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them. 2 So I admired the dead,  who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed,  who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. 

4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend.  This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 5 The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. (HCSB)

The teacher now addresses two issues, which is how this lesson will be divided.

  • Corruption in society – verses 1-3.
  • Corruption in the workplace – verses 4-6.

Corruption in Society

Israel had a fair judicial system based on divine Law. The details are contained in Exodus 18:13-27, Deuteronomy 17 and 19. Moses warned officials to judge honestly and fairly.

  • Leviticus 19:15  You must not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.
  • Deuteronomy 1:17  Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.

Both prophets and the psalmist spoke out against social injustice.

  • Isaiah 56:1  This is what the Lord says: Preserve justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.
  • Amos 1-2
  • Psalm 82

Solomon had demonstrated fairness and wisdom in judging cases; 1 Kings 3:16-28.

However, every society through the ages experiences corruption, which can often lead to a downward spiral. In some cases, this downward spiral will lead to the end of the established government or at least a major evolution in how it operates.

Now, let’s take a closer look at these first three verses.

  • The teacher said that those who were in positions of power were using that power to oppress the less fortunate.
    • The powerful enjoyed the freedom to do as they wished, with little or no repercussion when they abused the less fortunate. 
    • The less fortunate people had no advocate to argue on their behalf.
    • Ultimately, the less fortunate had no means to receive justice and comfort from the society that was supposed to protect them.
  • The oppressors in the Jewish government had fallen from the instructions set forth by God.
    • Leviticus 6:2-5  When someone sins and offends the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit, a security, or a robbery; or defrauds his neighbor; 3 or finds something lost and lies about it; or swears falsely about any of the sinful things a person may do— 4 once he has sinned and acknowledged his guilt—he must return what he stole or defrauded, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost item he found, 5 or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make full restitution for it and add a fifth of its value to it.  He is to pay it to its owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt.
    • Ezekiel 22:7  Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the foreign resident is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you.
    • Ezekiel 22:29  The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery.  They have oppressed the poor and needy and unlawfully exploited the foreign resident.
    • Micah 2:1-2  Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. 2 They covet fields  and seize them; they also take houses. They deprive a man of his home, a person of his inheritance.
    • Jeremiah 22:17  But you have eyes and a heart for nothing except your own dishonest profit, shedding innocent blood and committing extortion and oppression.
  • We see again the problem of “everything under the sun.”
    • People who live in this manner live with a sinful and materialistic mindset.
    • They use their power or influence to take advantage of others for their own benefit.
  • The oppressive nature of the social structure which the teacher witnessed had such a profound effect that he admired the dead.
  • If we remember back to the previous lesson, death is the arena of hope for the oppressed.
    • The dead are judged for their actions.
    • The righteous, even if they were oppressed, are spared eternal judgment.
    • The oppressors, regardless of their wealth, power, or position, will receive eternal punishment for their wickedness.
    • It is in death that the oppressed will finally find their rest.
  • However, never being born is the best solution.
    • They will never be tempted by what’s “under the sun.”
    • They will never be the victim of oppression and despair.
    • I think it’s a fair understanding that the teacher is using hyperbole in verse three.
      • Every human is made in the image of God.
      • All are wonderfully crafted.
      • Yet, at the same time, there will be those who are oppressed and live in despair.
      • It is in the face of this conundrum that the teacher makes the statement about never having been born.

Corruption in the Workplace

Being disgusted with what he observed in the judicial and governmental sectors of Israel, the teacher ventures into the workplace. He was certain he would see a better situation here since honest work was a gift from God. Let’s take a closer look at what he found.

  • He found people who worked hard.
  • He found people who were skillful in their craft.
  • He found jealous competition. The workers’ jealousy was the problem.
    • The workers were highly skilled and produced quality products.
    • However, the only reason for their skill and quality was to be better than their competition.
    • It wasn’t to benefit the buyer; it was to benefit themselves.
  • God didn’t put selfishness into work; it was the result of sin in the world.
    • People covet what others have, even in the workplace.
      • A better reputation.
      • A product people desired to buy.
      • We envy when others have more or better “things” than we do.
    • Coveting, competition, and envy are often found as companions.
    • Competition is not sinful; it’s when being first or the best becomes more important than being honest that trouble rears its ugly head.
    • Rivalry, if done with an honest heart, will produce better products.
  • Consider examples from Scripture where jealousy or envy resulted in the committing of great sin.
    • 1 Kings 21 – The example of King Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s vineyard and the false accusation bought against him to allow the king to acquire the vineyard.
    • 2 Samuel – King David, even though he had many wives, desired Bathsheba and had her husband killed to cover up his adultery.
  • Healthy competition benefits everyone.
  • Jealousy and envy hurt everyone, including the one who seems to “come out on top.”
  • The teacher now moves to people of the opposite extreme; those who don’t possess any ambition at all.
  • Scripture is clear in its view about laziness.
    • Proverbs 6:10-11  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.
    • Proverbs 18:9  The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
    • Proverbs 19:15  Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.
    • Proverbs 24:30-34  I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense. 31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. 32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 34 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:10  In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.
  • When we consider the extremes of verses four and five, we observe that the industrious person was motivated by competition and consumed by the rat race of life. They had no time for leisure. The idle person was motivated by pleasure and was rushing toward ruin. They weren’t productive.
  • This begs the question. Is there a happy medium between the two extremes?
  • Verse six answers this question with a resounding “yes.”
    • This person was productive.
    • They also made sure there was time for rest and leisure.
  • The person who is driven for gain, whether it be money, power, position, or “things,” will never have time to enjoy them. They’ll always be looking for more. They’ll never be satisfied, and the obsession for more will consume them.
  • The lazy person believes that doing nothing will bring them peace, but this lifestyle will destroy them.
  • The balanced approach allows the person to enjoy their work and their leisure time.

Applications

  • Don’t tolerate oppression. All people are made in the image of God. When people are treated unfairly, Christians should peacefully stand against that oppression. Sometimes there’s a fine line we need to walk. We should never condone or tolerate behavior that goes against Scripture. However, that doesn’t give Christians the right to treat these people as less than human. Jesus never did that, and as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t either.
  • If you are in a position of leadership, don’t use that position to oppress others and elevate yourself. Treat those under you, whatever the relationship, in a respectful and honoring manner.
  • How do you approach your work? Do you do it because you want more stuff; money, possessions, position, or power? Or do you work to glorify God, provide for your family, benefit society? Make sure you build rest or leisure into your life. God provided the Sabbath as a day of rest. He recognized the need for rest, and we should, too.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Seven

Ecclesiastes Lesson Seven: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 – Mystery of Injustice and Death

I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.” 18 I said to myself, “This happens concerning people, so that God may test them and they may see for themselves that they are like animals.” 19 For the fate of people and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile. 20 All are going to the same place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. 21 Who knows if the spirit of people rises upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth? 22 I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies? (HCSB)

I’ll deal with this passage in one section, as there is one theme that runs through it. The teacher is wrestling with a question that plagues us today; how can God be in control when there is so much wickedness in the world? Now, let’s dig deeper into this passage.

  • In this passage, the teacher seems to be saying that time passes swiftly for humans.
    • We often look back and wonder about or regret decisions we’ve made. 
    • At the same time, God keeps track of everything we do, and at the end of time, we’ll answer for our actions. The teacher makes this very statement in the final verse of Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
  • The teacher ponders this very thought in the first two verses of this passage.
    • He witnessed wickedness and injustice.
    • He wondered why the judgment was delayed.
  • Now we circle back to the theme of this passage; how can God allow so much evil in the world?
    • The teacher wasn’t the first to wrestle with this question, nor was he the last. I’m sure that everyone who reads this ponders the same question.
    • However, the teacher comforts himself with two assurances.
      • God has a time for everything.
        • Ecclesiastes 8:6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though man’s troubles are heavy on him.
        • Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly,  the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit crime.
      • God is working out His eternal purposes in and through the actions of mankind, even those who are wicked.
    • Verse seventeen should also be viewed with the eschatological judgment in mind.
      • Psalm 14:5 Then they will be filled with terror, for God is with those who are  righteous.
      • Although the teacher was not a prophet, he did speak of a coming judgment.
      • He acknowledged that political oppression was a universal phenomenon, but he offered hope, even though it was abstract, of a divine judgment and vindication.
  • God will judge everyone when the current earth has passed away, but He is also judging everyone now.
    • Verse eighteen tells us that God is testing man.
    • This testing reveals the character of each person.
    • When humanity leaves God out of their lives, they are no different than animals.
      • Psalm 32:9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
      • Proverbs 7:22-23 He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap 23 until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
      • 2 Peter 2:19-20 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. 20 For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.
  • As we read verses nineteen and twenty, we need to be careful and not draw the wrong conclusion. The teacher is not saying there is no difference between humans and animals. He is merely pointing out they have two things in common.
    • Both groups die.
    • The bodies of both groups will return to the dust. 
    • Humanity has a distinct advantage and difference over animals; mankind was created in the image of God.
    • However, both groups die and return to “dust.”
  • The Bible tells us that death happens when the spirit leaves the body.
    • James 2:26a For just as the body without the spirit is dead.
    • Luke 8:55a Her spirit returned, and she got up at once.
  • The teacher seems to be indicating that humans and animals don’t have the same experience at death.
    • Man’s spirit goes to God. Ecclesiastes 12:7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
    • The animal’s spirit ceases to exist. Read Psalm 49.
  • Once again, Ecclesiastes focuses on the mortality of humanity. Each of us is destined to have a physical death. But the real emphasis is whether or not we’ll experience spiritual life or death.
  • We also need to remember that mankind’s spirit, which is eternal, will exist in one of two places.
    • Those who have professed faith in, and submitted to the lordship of Jesus, will go to heaven.
    • Those who never professed faith in Jesus will be condemned to hell.
  • In the final verse of this passage, the teacher reaches two conclusions.
    • Neither possessions nor accomplishments are eternal.
      • We can’t take them with us when we die.
      • We should properly use them and enjoy them while we’re alive.
    • We will all pass from our physical bodies and live eternally as a spirit.
      • Our hope of eternal life is founded on God and not ourselves.
      • Those who have rejected God will face eternal punishment.
      • Those who have placed their faith in Jesus will experience eternal life in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s consider the following points.

  • God controls “time.” We see this vividly illustrated when we look at Israel’s early history.
    • The Bible doesn’t focus primarily on the social, political, or heroes of Israel.
    • It does focus on God shaping Israel through grace and judgment, moving Israel towards His goal.
    • When we reflect on what’s in 1-2 Kings, we read a narrative about what God is doing in this period of Israel’s history.
      • The prophets were the most important figures in these books, announcing and interpreting God’s actions.
      • The kings thought they were in control of the country and its people. However, it was God who was in control.
    • The same is true in the prophetic books of the Old Testament.
      • God reveals Himself as sovereign, who ruled the past but is also in control of the present and future.
      • Humans may have schemes and ideas, but God’s plans are the ones that will be fulfilled.
      • The book of Daniel contains one of the best examples.
        • King Nebuchadnezzar thinks he’s a god, requiring worship.
        • Daniel tells him that he’s not in control, and to reinforce that point, the king lives for a period of time among the animals.
    • The New Testament continues this theme.
      • At the appointed time, Jesus is born, announcing the kingdom of God and dying for our sins.
      • Jesus declares the various times of God’s plans.
        • His crucifixion.
        • The witness or apostasy of the disciples.
        • His second coming.
        • Divine judgment and salvation.
  • As Christians, we are to live our lives considering the fact that God controls time.
    • 1 Timothy 6:13-16 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing  of our Lord  Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen.
    • 1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
    • Revelation 1:3 The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!
    • Revelation 22:10 He also said to me, “Don’t seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near.
    • 2 Peter 3:8 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
  • Our relationship with God will determine how we view the fact that God controls time.
    • For the faithful, it should provide comfort.
    • For those without a relationship with God, it will be unsettling as they try and manipulate time to their own advantage, acting as if they were “gods.”
  • We live in a world that is skeptical and confused about what occurs after we die.
    • Many search for verifiable truth about what happens.
    • Too often, in this search, they ignore the truth of the resurrection.
      • They are like Thomas in John’s Gospel.
      • They want to see it themselves, or they won’t believe it.
  • It’s a symptom of self-centeredness and paranoia.
    • The only “truth” is what they choose to believe.
    • This has led to the rapid increase in “spiritualities” in the Western world.
    • These “leaps of faith” will never lead them anywhere without being founded on the Truth, which came in the form of a man over two thousand years ago.

Applications

  • Accept and embrace the truth that regardless of what occurs around us, God is in control and He knows what is best. This is true even when we are going through difficulties. During those moments, press into God and try and discern His will, but also walk in faith and the knowledge that He will sustain you through those difficulties.
  • Accept that each of us is mortal. Our physical bodies will die, but our spirit will live forever. There are only two destinations for our spirit. We’ll either spend eternity in heaven in God’s presence or eternity in hell, forever separated from His love and grace.
  • Enjoy the pleasures of life in accordance with God’s will and plan. God wants us to enjoy life as we walk in fellowship with Him. If we are truly walking in step with Him, we shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying life.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Six

Ecclesiastes Lesson Six: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 – The Rhythm and Eternity of Time

3 There is an occasion for everything, 

and a time for every activity under heaven: 

2 a time to give birth and a time to die; 

a time to plant and a time to uproot; 

3 a time to kill and a time to heal; 

a time to tear down and a time to build; 

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn and a time to dance; 

5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; 

a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; 

6 a time to search and a time to count as lost; 

a time to keep and a time to throw away; 

7 a time to tear and a time to sew; 

a time to be silent and a time to speak; 

8 a time to love and a time to hate; 

a time for war and a time for peace. 

9 What does the worker gain from his struggles? 10 I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. 13 It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. 14 I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. 15 Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. (HCSB)

Chapter three begins a new section in Ecclesiastes, with the first eight verses of chapter three being a masterpiece of wisdom poetry. The remaining verses in this passage are not part of the wisdom poetry but rather a reflection on and an exposition of it.

I’ll be breaking this lesson into two parts:

  • The mystery of time – verses 1-8.
  • Everything has a purpose – verses 9-15.

The Mystery of Time

As we read and reflect on the first eight verses in chapter three, we see that times and seasons are a part of regular, no matter where you live. The verses flow between the desirable and undesirable aspects of life. The teacher is not telling the reader how to obtain the former and avoid the latter. Life is composed of joy and sorrow, building and destroying, living and dying. Each one comes at the proper time. We can never be happy until we come to grips with the fact that life is full of changes and sorrows, as well as continuity and joy. We must accept our mortality and that our life is governed by time.

In these eight verses, the teacher tells us that God is at work in our individual lives, seeking to accomplish His will. Each event comes from God and is good in their time. The point is that if we cooperate with God’s timing, life won’t be meaningless. Everything will be appropriate in its time. Now, let’s take a look at these fourteen statements.

  • The teacher begins with the statement, “every activity under heaven.”
    • This is another way of “under the sun.”
    • These are observations of human life in the human world.
  • Verse two.
    • We may think that man is in control of birth and death, but God is the one who controls it.
      • Genesis 29:31-30:24.
      • Psalm 113:9 He gives the childless woman a household, making her the joyful mother of children. Hallelujah!
      • Ephesians 2:10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
      • Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. 
    • Since the Jews were agricultural people, they appreciated the seasons.
      • Their religious calendar was based on the agricultural year. See Leviticus 23.
      • The use of the word “uproot” indicates both harvest and the removal of unproductive plants.
      • The farmer understood that nature works for him only if he works with nature.
      • This is also the secret to a successful life. Learn God’s principles and cooperate with them.
    • Both birth and planting are ways of giving life; one to living beings and the other to plants.
  • Verse three.
    • Destruction and killing are part of life and can’t be avoided.
      • The teacher isn’t making an ethical statement about a just or unjust war.
      • He is making an observation that in a world where death is a fact of life, there will be a time to kill.
    • Plagues and sickness are part of the world.
      • God permits some to die while others are healed.
      • This doesn’t mean we should refuse medical care. God uses both “natural” medicine as well as miracles to heal people.
  • Verse four.
    • There is an increase in the intensity of the emotions described here.
      • Weeping precedes mourning.
      • Laughing precedes dancing. 
    • This concept can be applied to other emotions, too. Emotions tend to intensify as we go through the experience. 
    • The teacher is also encouraging people to enjoy the lighter moments of life, as we’ll all experience times of heartache.
  • Verse five.
    • There are several possible meanings to this verse.
    • One possible meaning relates to the culture of the Middle East during this period of time.
      • The people would openly display their affection for each other.
      • They would kiss and hug when they met and when they parted.
    • A second relates to a sexual union.
      • This is the position the Midrash Rabbah took with this verse.
      • As with all other things “under the sun,” sexual relations between a married couple are also fleeting.
    • A third relates to agriculture.
      • Throwing stones would make the field unsuitable for planting.
      • Gathering stones would make the field ready for planting.
  • Verse six.
    • In the first half of the verse, the teacher is saying there is always a time to search for something. This could be wisdom or something misplaced. But, there’s also a time to stop searching as it becomes a waste of time and effort.
    • In the second half, the teacher is saying there is a time to keep things. They serve a purpose for a season. But, there will come a time when any item will no longer be worth keeping. Once an item no longer serves a purpose or becomes unusable, it should be discarded.
    • The teacher is instructing us to put possessions into their proper context.
  • Verse seven.
    • The teacher is talking about actions taken during times of grief or repentance.
      • 2 Samuel 13:31 In response the king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay down on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
      • Ezra 9:5 At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to Yahweh my God.
    • However, we shouldn’t experience sorrow following the loss of a loved one in the same way as unbelievers.
      • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
      • Once the grieving period is over, the Christian must move on in the knowledge those believers who have died are in the presence of the Lord.
    • In a simpler sense, the teacher is also reminding us there is a time to speak and a time to keep quiet.
      • Colossians 4:6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
      • James 3:3-12 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
  • Verse eight.
    • Perfect peace doesn’t exist “under the sun.”
    • The contents of this verse are arranged in chiastic order.
      • Love and hate represent personal feelings.
      • War and peace represent sociopolitical conditions.
    • A relevant question is whether or not Christians should “hate.”
      • Psalm 97:10a You who love the Lord, hate evil!
      • Revelation 2:6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 
      • Christians should hate the evil in this world. At the same time, we must remember that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood.
  • As we look back on these eight verses, we should apply the following concepts.
    • Taking each one individually is not what’s important.
    • Instead, they should all be combined as an overall description of human life.
    • The list is not prescriptive in nature. Instead, it is a descriptive account of the things that make up human existence.
    • We generally spend our days in the ways described in these verses and in activities that lie between the opposite extremes.

Everything Has a Purpose

The teacher now shifts his focus from everything “under the sun,” and brings God into the equation, which brings a new perspective to life. The teacher repeats the question he asked in 1:3, although he uses a few different words. Essentially, he’s asking whether all his work and toil was worth it. The teacher’s reflection has produced new evidence, and he gives three answers to the question.

  • Life is a gift from God.
    • Although we may not view life as a gift when we’re going through difficult times, it is still God’s gift.
    • We struggle to explain life’s mysteries, but often we don’t succeed.
    • If we embrace life as a gift from God and then thank Him for it, we’ll have a better attitude as we encounter our struggles.
    • If we accept life as a burden, we’ll miss the gifts that come our way.
    • Our outlook and attitude about life determine whether we view life as a gift or not.
  • Human life is linked to eternity.
    • We were created in the image of God and given control over creation. Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let Us  make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.
    • Humans are different from the rest of creation.
      • Our spirit is eternal.
      • We can never be satisfied with the accomplishments “under the sun.”
      • We’ll never be able to explain the mysteries of life.
    • God accomplishes His purposes in His time.
    • We won’t be able to understand His plan until we enter into eternity.
  • We can enjoy life now.
    • The teacher implied this idea in 2:24.
    • 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things  to enjoy.
    • The teacher is not implying a life of pagan hedonism. Instead, we should live a life where we enjoy the gifts God has given us from the fruit of our labor, regardless of the difficulty of our life.
    • Life is transitory, but God’s work lasts forever.
    • When we live our life according to His instructions, life is meaningful.
    • Too many complain about what they don’t have instead of being thankful for what they do have.
    • It’s also important to understand the teacher isn’t promoting a “don’t worry, be happy” attitude.
      • He is promoting faith in God.
      • He is not promoting “faith in faith” or “pie in the sky.”
      • Faith is only as good as the object of faith. The greatest object of faith is God.
    • When we live life walking with God, it’s arrogant and disrespectful to say that life is meaningless and monotonous.
      • Humans are not insignificant creatures.
      • When we place our trust in Jesus, we become a child of God and have a future eternal home. John 14:1-6 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe  in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.” 5 “Lord,” Thomas  said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
    • Thomas Watson, a pastor from the 1600s, said, “Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”
    • A proper attitude towards God is to fear Him. We must not misunderstand the meaning of biblical fear. It isn’t cringing in terror; it’s submitting like an obedient child to a loving parent.
    • If we fear God, we don’t need to fear anything else because He is in control.

The final verse of this passage harks back to 1:9-11, giving us a reassurance that God is in control of the cycle of life. God can, and has, broken into this cycle throughout history, performing miracles. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are examples of breaking the cycle of life and overcoming the “life-death cycle.” Since Jesus broke this cycle, we have become a new creation that overcomes time and death. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things  have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world  to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Applications

  • Don’t wrestle with the factors of the “under the sun” lifecycle. View life, both its good and bad points, as a gift from God. Every human who has ever lived experienced highs and lows. When you look at the life of Jesus, He certainly experienced both ends of the spectrum. Why should we be any different?
  • Receive your joy from eternal pursuits and pleasures, not from things “under the sun.” Anything pursued or accomplished outside of God’s will ultimately fail to satisfy us. However, when we walk in sync with God’s plan, our life will be one of joy and satisfaction.
  • There’s nothing wrong with enjoying our life “under the sun.” In fact, God’s desire is that we do enjoy it. If we are walking with Him, we can rest in the peace that regardless of what we face, He will sustain us through the experience. At the same time if you don’t have as much “stuff” as others, don’t focus on that. Be thankful for what you do have and not envious of what you don’t. Otherwise, you will live a miserable life. Never forget Jesus’ words in John 10:10b I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Five

Ecclesiastes Lesson Five: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 – The Emptiness of Work Apart From God

Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 

18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. 20 So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun. 21 When there is a man whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill,  and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. 22 For what does a man get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 23 For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful;  even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. 

24 There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him? 26 For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy,  but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. (HCSB)

This passage ends the first section of Ecclesiastes, where the teacher looks at the futility of life. However, in the final part of this section, he gains clarity on the goals and purpose of life. I’ll split this passage into two sections.

  • The emptiness of work – verses 17-23.
  • The joy of obedience to God – verses 24-26.

The Emptiness of Work

Verse seventeen acts like a bridge between the previous section and this one. The word “therefore” is a key to understanding this bridge. You may have heard this said before, but it’s worth repeating. When you see the word “therefore,” you need to ask the question, “what’s it there for?” Now, let’s dig deeper into the bridge and this first section of the lesson.

  • When we remember back to the previous lesson, we remember the teacher coming to the conclusion that the end result for both the wise and foolish man was the same, death.
    • That’s the reason the teacher uses the word “therefore” to start verse seventeen.
    • Because he realized that all of his work, wisdom, and accomplishments were useless once he looked back on them, the teacher “hated life.”
    • The teacher was engaged in the constant and pointless “grind” of life.
    • No matter what he accomplished, it left him feeling empty and unsatisfied when he had a chance to look back and consider his life.
    • The teacher’s hatred of his work is also an indicator of a sinful heart.
      • It began and grew through the continual pursuit of the meaning of life without including God in the equation.
      • It was a revelation of the folly of his life. He hated life, but he was afraid to die.
    • This attitude is in contrast to the Christian attitude. Our lives should be joyful regardless of our circumstances, and death is a new beginning.
  • In verses eighteen to twenty-three, the teacher considers all the wealth he’s accumulated and the work he’s accomplished and comes to the following conclusions.
    • He wasn’t able to keep any of it.
      • Sooner or later, the teacher would die, and everything he had would be left to other people.
      • 1 Timothy 6:7-10  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
      • A writer once said money is “an article which may be used as a universal passport to anywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.”
      • At the same time, we need to remember that we are stewards of what God has given to us.
        • Deuteronomy 8:18  But remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today. 
        • We have the privilege of enjoying it and using it for His glory.
        • One day, we’ll all have to give an account of how we used the gifts we’ve received.
    • He wasn’t able to protect it.
      • Not only must the teacher leave it all behind, but he might also pass it to someone who would waste it.
      • This very thing happened with the teacher’s son, Rehoboam. 1 Kings 11:41-12:24.
      • It may be possible to try and write your will in such a manner that your estate won’t be wasted, but the effort doesn’t always succeed.
      • Parents never know how the next generation will turn out.
      • The teacher’s response to this revelation was to live in despair about the situation.
    • He wasn’t able to enjoy his wealth and accomplishments as he desired.
      • The teacher dwelled on his great wealth and worried about what would happen to it after he died.
      • He did all the work but would have to leave it all to someone else.
      • The teacher questioned whether or not this was fair.
      • He spent so much time accumulating wisdom and wealth, yet it would all pass away.
  • At this point, it appears that the teacher is extremely pessimistic, but he doesn’t remain that way for long.

The Joy of Obedience to God.

As we look at the last three verses of this passage, we encounter the first of six conclusions the teacher reaches in Ecclesiastes. Each of these conclusions emphasizes accepting life as God’s gift and enjoying it in God’s will. Now, let’s take a closer look at these verses.

  • The teacher wasn’t promoting the idea of “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” That is a fatalistic mindset.
  • The teacher is saying, “Thank God for what you have, and enjoy and use it for the glory of God.” 1 Timothy 6:17  Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
    • Not only are blessings from God but even the enjoyment of the blessings should be viewed as a gift.
    • The teacher believed it was evil if a person was blessed but couldn’t enjoy them.
    • The Jews would read Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles because this festival was a time of rejoicing and reflecting on God’s abundant provision for their needs.
  • Verse twenty-five encapsulates what the teacher means.
    • The problem is not necessarily with the “things.”
    • The problem is with the “thinking.”
      • It’s impossible to enjoy the fruits of all of our labors apart from God.
      • But, when we are rooted in God, we can fully enjoy the fruits of our labors because they fall in line with God’s will.
  • The key to our happiness and enjoyment of life is directly related to our obedience and desire to please God.
    • When we walk in obedience and trust Him, we live in a spirit of satisfaction.
      • This doesn’t mean we won’t have trials.
      • But we trust that God will carry us through those trials.
    • God will give wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those walking in obedience.
      • These three gifts allow us to appreciate God’s blessings and enjoy them.
      • It isn’t enough to possess “things.”
      • We must also have the type of character that enables us to use “things” wisely and enjoy them as God intended.
  • The sinner has a completely different type of experience.
    • They may accumulate great wealth but will never find fulfillment because they’ve left God out of the picture.
    • Their wealth may go to a righteous person. Proverbs 13:22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
  • Throughout history, Israel acquired an enormous amount of wealth from countries that walked apart from God.

The end of chapter two completes the first section of Ecclesiastes, often described as “The Problem Declared.” Let’s take a summary look back at the first two chapters.

  • The teacher presented our arguments that painted a picture that life isn’t worth living.
    • The monotony of life – 1:4-11.
    • The vanity of wisdom – 1:12-18.
    • The futility of wealth – 2:1-11.
    • The certainty of death – 2:12-23.
  • These points are valid if you only consider “life under the sun” from the human viewpoint.
  • But what happens when God is brought into the picture?
    • Everything changes.
    • Looking back at the first two chapters, we see God isn’t mentioned from 1:14 to 2:23.
    • Yet, life and death, wisdom and wealth, are all controlled by God’s hands.
    • God wants us to enjoy His blessings and walk in obedience to His instructions.
    • If we revel in the gifts but forget where those gifts come from, we are nothing more than ungrateful idolaters.

Applications

  • Take stock of what you’re pursuing in life. Are you chasing things “under the sun,” or is your vision focused on God’s will and being obedient to His instructions? If you’re dissatisfied with life, it may be because you’re focused on the wrong things or at least viewing them in the wrong way. 
  • Come to grips with the fact you can’t take your possessions or accomplishments with you after you die. Then, focus on whether your accomplishments are of an eternal or temporal nature. Trim the temporal goals and focus on or add to the eternal goals.
  • God’s Word says that those who are pleasing in God’s sight will receive wisdom, knowledge, and joy. Sometimes we lose sight of how short our life is on earth and how long eternity will be. Focus on those things that will be credited to your eternal account and remove those that are credited to your earthly account.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Four

Ecclesiastes Lesson Four: Ecclesiastes 2:12-16 – The Limits of Wisdom

Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the man be like who comes after the king? He will do what has already been done. 13 And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness. 

14 The wise man has eyes in his head, 

but the fool walks in darkness. 

Yet I also knew that one fate comes to them both. 15 So I said to myself, “What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise?” And I said to myself that this is also futile. 16 For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man, since in the days to come both will be forgotten. How is it that the wise man dies just like the fool? (HVSB)

In this passage, the teacher makes a comparison between wise and foolish people. He determines that there is a difference during their lifetimes, but once death overtakes them, there is no difference. Let’s peel back the layers on these verses.

  • Verse 12
    • Throughout history, discoveries and advancements have been made. Each one is in the hope that life will be made better for the current and subsequent generations.
    • However, often the subsequent generations will conduct the same experiments.
    • The worst part is repeating mistakes made by previous generations. 
    • That’s the teacher’s point when he says, “He will do what has already been done.”
    • What’s the point of chasing after wisdom and knowledge if mankind continues to repeat previously made mistakes?
    • Let’s consider this point in our personal lives or maybe with family or close friends.
      • How often do we see mistakes being repeated, even painful or stupid ones?
      • How often are we guilty of these same mistakes?
      • Why is it that we can blindly follow previous mistakes and cause great harm to ourselves or others?
    • It all comes back to the fall and the sinful nature of mankind.
      • Our focus isn’t on the things of God.
      • Our focus is on the things of the world.
  • Verse 13
    • This verse should be viewed in a two-pronged understanding.
    • It’s not just the contrast between wisdom and folly or light and darkness.
      • The wise man sees “things” and has understanding.
        • Wisdom brings illumination to situations.
        • This illumination doesn’t always avert the troubles that are coming, but it makes the wise man aware of them.
        • Because of wisdom, some trouble can be avoided or reduced.
        • In an extreme interpretation, the wise man can see when death is approaching.
      • The foolish man doesn’t see things.
        • The foolish man is walking in darkness and never sees the troubles that are coming.
        • The foolish man walks blindly into the troubles.
        • Death will catch the foolish man unaware.
    • When we think about the New Testament, the gospels, and Jesus, we see an identical comparison.
      • Jesus is our wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
      • Jesus is light. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
      • Satan is darkness. Acts 26:18a  To open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.
      • Paul speaks about the wisdom of God and the foolishness of man (worldly ways) in 1 Corinthians 1:20-25  Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
    • Seeking wisdom isn’t wrong or wasted time as long as we are aligning with God’s wisdom.
  • Verse 14
    • The comparison between light and dark in the previous verse carries over to this verse.
    • However, there is one common ground for both the wise and foolish man; death awaits both of them.
    • As a Christian, we must remember that the life we live here is not the end. Our hope is in our eternal dwelling place and never-ending fellowship with God.
      • 1 Peter 1:3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
      • John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
      • John 5:28-29 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.
      • Romans 6:5 For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection.
    • The hope and promise of eternal life in heaven should give each follower of Christ a sense of peace and comfort, no matter what we face.
  • Verse 15
    • The teacher now comes to the conclusion that regardless of wisdom or folly, light or darkness, wealth or poverty, there is one great leveler which everyone faces…death.
    • He also ponders the question, “What did he gain by being wise?”
    • Wisdom will not prevent him from dying.
    • As I mentioned in the discussion of the previous verse, the Christian always has hope. Regardless of our circumstances, background, socio-economic status, gender, etc., we realize that it isn’t “what’s under the sun” that is important. It’s our relationship and submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ that will ultimately determine wisdom or folly.
  • Verse 16
    • As we read this verse, we can almost feel the despair in the teacher’s words.
    • He has concluded that when all is said and done, wisdom is no better than folly.
    • Consider the pursuits of the wise, powerful, or wealthy.
      • They desire fame or to be well-known.
      • They desire some type of physical structure by which to be remembered.
        • It could be a plaque.
        • It could be a monument.
        • Anything of a physical nature would qualify.
      • Many of these people are materialistic in nature.
        • They desire to be remembered for their “achievements.”
        • But the only immortality they can achieve are the physical reminders of their life.
        • In the end, these are often ignored unless they were extraordinary during their lifetime.
        • One example might be the Lincoln Monument. But we need to ask the question, “How many people today actually know who Lincoln was and what he accomplished during his lifetime?”
    • The death of the “famous” people begins to vanish as those who knew them personally also die.
      • Consider the life of Beethoven.
        • It may be said that he lives on in his music.
        • However, the truth is that we know the music but not the man.
      • Another example is Pythagoras of Samos, who was credited with mathematical and scientific discoveries.
        • He developed the Pythagorean theorem.
        • He developed Pythagorean tuning.
        • He identified the five regular solids.
        • He developed the Theory of Proportions.
        • There are several more discoveries attributed to him.
        • Yet, knowledge of the man by the vast majority of people is non-existent.
  • The teacher pursued wisdom and “things” as the ultimate goals of life.
  • Today, many follow the same path and eventually realize these pursuits leave them feeling empty. 
  • Only by pursuing God and not “the things under the sun,” will we be truly happy and fulfilled.

Applications

  • Examine the things in life you place a priority on. Are those things of a worldly or eternal nature? If you find that worldly things occupy a prominent place in your life pursuits, reorder your priorities and focus on eternal choices.
  • The pursuit of possessions or accomplishments most often will fail to satisfy us. There is only one path to happiness and joy, being a faithful follower of Christ. If we’ve placed our faith in Jesus and trusted His words, we should follow this path. Remember His words in John 10:10b  I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. If you don’t feel that your life has abundance, it’s likely because your focus is wrong. The “stuff” of the world will never satisfy. Only Jesus can lead us to satisfaction.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Three

Ecclesiastes Lesson Three: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 – The Emptiness of Pleasure and Possessions

I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does this accomplish?” 3 I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. 

4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs of water for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun. (HCSB)

In this section, the teacher will tell how the pursuit of pleasure and the amassing of possessions left him feeling empty. In the thousands of years since this was written, mankind still hasn’t changed. Those with money and power still pursue after pleasure and possessions, only to be left feeling unsatisfied and desiring more. The teacher has discovered a valuable lesson that we need to remember today. I’ll split this lesson into two parts.

  • The pursuit of pleasure – verses 1-3.
  • The pursuit of possessions – verses 4-11.

The Pursuit of Pleasure

As we look at these first three verses, we need to think like the original Hebrew readers would have thought. One of the main viewpoints is that the Hebrews correctly believed that God intended mankind to enjoy the blessings of creation.

  • Psalm 104 (entire Psalm).
  • 1 Timothy 6:17 – Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

If we consider the different harvest seasons the Israelites enjoyed, we can see how they would have rejoiced as they collected a bountiful harvest. The teacher used the Hebrew word for “pleasure” numerous times in Ecclesiastes. Because of its numerous use, it’s clear God intended us to enjoy the fruits of our labor in conjunction with His will and instructions. If we close our eyes, we can picture Solomon in his banquet hall enjoying life.

  • 1 Kings 10:21 – All of King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, since it was considered as nothing in Solomon’s time.
  • 1 Kings 4:22-23 – Solomon’s provisions for one day were 150 bushels of fine flour and 300 bushels of meal, 23 10 fattened oxen, 20 range oxen, and 100 sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and pen-fed poultry.

However, when the parties were over, and the teacher had time to reflect on the activities, he felt empty. Chasing after pleasure and laughter were temporary emotions and quickly vanished. It’s very likely that the servants envied those enjoying the pleasures of life, but the king wasn’t happy with his experiences. Proverbs 14:13 – Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

When we look at the world today, especially areas of affluence, people have become obsessed and will pay any amount of money to buy experiences to temporarily escape the burdens of life. Let’s consider the idea of seeking fun in greater detail.

  • There is nothing wrong with innocent fun as long as it doesn’t become an idol.
  • The person whose life is built on seeking fun will always be disappointed in the end.
    • Pleasure-seeking is almost always a selfish act.
    • Selfishness destroys joy.
    • Those who live for pleasure almost always exploit others in their pursuit of pleasure.
    • Often, a trail of broken relationships is left behind, in addition to empty hearts.
  • Too often, we forget that people are more important than things and thrills.
  • Chasing pleasure is like taking drugs.
    • Once we get numb to the pleasure created by “things,” we need to increase the intensity of the pleasure to get the same result.
    • Increasing the intensity means going deeper into the habit.
      • For those who drink, it means drinking more.
      • For those who chase money, it means having more money.
      • For those viewing pornography, it means viewing it more often or going to more extreme forms.
      • For those who chase fame and adulation, it means seeking greater attention.
      • The list could go on and on, but the idea is the same. If we aren’t satisfied, we will seek more extreme means to “get our fix.”
  • An ancient example of this is the Epicurean form of hedonism.
    • Epicurus taught that by avoiding pain and pursuing pleasure, people would obtain happiness.
    • Paul encountered Epicurean philosophers when he addressed the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17:18.
    • The main problem with hedonism is that it will consume us and blind us to eternal truth.
  • False pleasure alone can’t bring satisfaction.
    • It appeals to only a portion of our being, not the total being.
    • Shallow entertainment will always leave us empty.
    • Enjoyment, where the “whole person” is involved, brings enjoyment and enrichment.
  • True pleasure brings both delight and builds character. 

The Pursuit of Possessions

The teacher now talks about acquiring possessions of many kinds.

  • He talks about different kinds of projects, each one an attempt to find satisfaction and make life worth the effort.
    • He built houses and his palace – 1 Kings 7.
    • He built cities. 2 Chronicles 8:4-6  He built Tadmor in the wilderness along with all the storage cities that he built in Hamath. 5 He built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon —fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars — 6 Baalath, all the storage cities that belonged to Solomon, all the chariot cities, the cavalry cities, and everything Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, or anywhere else in the land of his dominion. 
    • Possibly his greatest building undertaking was the construction of the temple. 1 Kings 5ff.
  • Not only did the teacher build great works, but he also had an abundance of workers.
    • He had two types of slaves.
      • Those who were purchased.
      • Those who were born in his household.
    • He also “drafted” 30,000 Jewish men to work on various projects. 1 Kings 5:13-18  Then King Solomon drafted forced laborers from all Israel; the labor force numbered 30,000 men. 14 He sent 10,000 to Lebanon each month in shifts; one month they were in Lebanon, two months they were at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. 15 Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, 16 not including his 3,300 deputies  in charge of the work. They ruled over the people doing the work. 17 The king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones.  18 So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the temple’s construction.
  • The teacher acquired great wealth.
    • He had an enormous amount of livestock. 1 Kings 8:63  Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. In this manner the king and all the Israelites dedicated the Lord’s temple. 
    • His monetary wealth was unmatched.
      • 1 Kings 4:21  Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt. They offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
      • 1 Kings 10:1-14  The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s fame connected with the name of Yahweh and came to test him with difficult questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very large entourage, with camels bearing  spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about everything that was on her mind. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon’s wisdom, the palace he had built, 5 the food at his table, his servants’ residence, his attendants’ service and their attire, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the Lord’s temple, it took her breath away. 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and about your wisdom is true. 7 But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard. 8 How happy are your men. How happy are these servants of yours, who always stand in your presence hearing your wisdom. 9 May Yahweh your God be praised! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” 10 Then she gave the king four and a half tons of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such a quantity of spices arrive as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 In addition, Hiram’s fleet that carried gold from Ophir brought from Ophir a large quantity of almug wood and precious stones. 12 The king made the almug wood into steps for the Lord’s temple and the king’s palace and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood come, and the like has not been seen again even to this very day. 13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba her every desire—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she, along with her servants, returned to her own country. 14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon annually was 25 tons.
  • The teacher was the wealthiest and wisest man in the entire world, but he was not happy because these things didn’t bring lasting pleasure.
    • He derived joy while engaged in these projects, “I took pleasure in all my struggles.”
    • Yet once it was finished, there was emptiness, “When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind.”
  • The teacher wasn’t condemning work. Work is a blessing from God. Adam worked in the Garden before the fall. But, the intent of the heart regarding work is what’s important.
    • 1 Corinthians 10:31  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.
    • Isaiah 55:2  Why do you spend money on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.
  • The teacher’s words, as he reflected back on his life, help us to understand why those who achieve great things are often unhappy people.
    • An overachiever is often a person who is trying to escape themself by being a workaholic.
    • The result of being a workaholic is often disappointment.
    • It’s not uncommon for workaholics, once they retire, to feel useless or even die from a lack of meaningful activity.
  • It’s not just the teacher who warns us about the empty pursuit of pleasure instead of pursuing God.
    • Paul warns us about this. 2 Timothy 3:1-5  But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
    • James tells us to examine our motives for our pursuits. James 4:3  You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

One final point of discussion regarding this passage. Read through the passage again and note how many times “I” is used. Now, let’s compare that to the teaching of Jesus and Paul.

  • Mark 8:34-38 – Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?  37 What can a man give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
  • Galatians 2:20 – And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
  • Philippians 3:1-11 – Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a protection for you. 2 Watch out for “dogs,” watch out for evil  workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh— 4 although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ  Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.  10 My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.

It should never be “I” or “me,” but always Christ.

Applications

  • Evaluate where you find your happiness and fulfillment. If your greatest fulfillment doesn’t come from God, your priorities are misplaced. The things of the world may give us temporary “fixes,” but they will never leave us feeling satisfied or fulfilled.
  • At the same time, we shouldn’t become people who avoid fun or pleasure. Scripture is clear that we should enjoy what God has created. But do it in a way that honors God and follows His instructions.
  • Check to make sure that the things you enjoy doing don’t take advantage of or harm others. Every person is created by God and has intrinsic value. If we hurt them in any way, we harm God’s creation and bring judgment against ourselves. 
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Two

Ecclesiastes Lesson Two: The Limits of Wisdom – Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

15 What is crooked cannot be straightened; 

what is lacking cannot be counted. 

16 I said to myself, “Look, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my mind to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly; I learned that this too is a pursuit of the wind.

18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow; 

as knowledge increases, grief increases. (HCSB)

We’ll look at this passage as one coherent whole. When we consider what’s written in Ecclesiastes came from the mouth of Solomon in the later stage of his life, and he was widely commended for his wisdom and knowledge, it can be both discouraging and comforting that the acquisition of knowledge has its limits. It can be discouraging because no matter how hard a person tries, they will never understand everything. It is comforting for the same reason; the pursuit of knowledge should not be the goal itself.

Now, let’s take a deeper look at this passage.

  • The teacher sought to attain wisdom and knowledge.
    • The pursuit of wisdom wasn’t just a passing fancy or a whim.
    • Pursuing wisdom was a passion for the teacher.
      • A primary theme in wisdom and philosophic writing is that a life of wisdom is the highest of all callings.
      • Plato believed the work of a philosopher was the purest form of living.
    • 1 Kings 4:29-34 – God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding  as vast as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, sons of Mahol. His reputation extended to all the surrounding nations. 32 Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005. 33 He described trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall. He also taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. 34 People came from everywhere, sent by every king on earth who had heard of his wisdom, to listen to Solomon’s wisdom.
    • Why does the teacher call the task of acquiring wisdom a “miserable task?”
      • The teacher is challenging the widely-held view of the time that the pursuit of knowledge fulfills their life and gives them permanent significance.
      • The teacher finds it a hopeless task; he can’t find the answers he seeks.
      • The teacher views life as being under the sovereign rule of God.
      • Philosophers and their work are under the control of God. 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 – For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness; 20 and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are meaningless.
    • Although some believe verse fourteen pertains to both physical as well as intellectual pursuits, when the context of this section is considered, it makes more sense to interpret the teacher’s focus as being on intellectual pursuits only.
      • All intellectual work done by an individual will disappear with time and their passing. None of it has eternal worth.
      • The phrase “a pursuit of the wind” should be interpreted in the following manner.
        • You can chase the wind but never catch it.
        • Even if you were able to catch the wind, you wouldn’t have anything of substance.
      • The pursuit of wisdom won’t satisfy the heart.
    • Verse fifteen should be understood in two different ways.
      • Not everything can be changed, referring specifically to mistakes made in the past.
        • We can’t undo the mistakes we’ve made in the past.
        • Since we can’t change the past, we should stop worrying about the mistake itself.
          • This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn from the mistake to avoid repeating it.
          • It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t confess and repent of the behavior if it is sinful.
          • It does mean we should move forward and not be weighed down by the past.
      • Even God can’t change the past.
        • However, God has the power to straighten what has been twisted and supply what is lacking.
        • God can change how the past affects people.
          • For the unbeliever, the past is a heavy weight that can drag a person down.
          • For a believer, past mistakes can push them back on the correct path and guide them forward. Faith in the redemptive power of Jesus is the key.
        • Jesus often straightened out the twisted and provided when there was a need.
          • Luke 13:11-17 – a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for over 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, He called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” 13 Then He laid His hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done;  therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you untie his ox or donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and lead it to water? 16 Satan has bound this woman, a daughter of Abraham, for 18 years—shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When He had said these things, all His adversaries were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things He was doing.
          • Matthew 12:10-13 – There He saw a man who had a paralyzed hand. And in order to accuse Him they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11 But He said to them, “What man among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t take hold of it and lift it out? 12 A man is worth far more than a sheep, so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as good as the other.
          • Matthew 15:29-31 – Moving on from there, Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee.  He went up on a mountain and sat there, 30 and large crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, those unable to speak, and many others. They put them at His feet, and He healed them.31 So the crowd was amazed when they saw those unable to speak talking, the deformed restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they gave glory to the God of Israel. 
          • John 6:1-13 – After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias ). 2 And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick. 3 So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. 7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii  worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” 10 Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten. 
        • Solomon was viewing problems from the perspective of “under the sun,” meaning he wasn’t bringing God into the discussion. This is why the problems were insurmountable.
    • The second understanding is a problem that can’t be solved.
      • Some problems are not solvable from a human perspective.
      • Some problems have critical information missing, which would aid in finding the correct answer.
      • More than anyone else, the intellectual understands the futility of humanity. They can’t answer some of the fundamental questions of life.
      • God’s ways are so much higher than ours; we’ll never fully understand some of the questions we have.
  • In the final three verses of this passage, the teacher acknowledges that wisdom and experience will not solve all of our problems.
    • If we try and go through life focused on explanations, we’ll be unhappy for two reasons.
      • There are no logical reasons for some of the things people experience. God is under no obligation always to provide explanations, and if He did, we might not understand anyway.
      • God has ordained His people to live by promises and not explanations.
        • By faith and not by sight.
        • John 20:29 – Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.”
    • The teacher comes to the conclusion that acquiring great wisdom only added to his difficulties in life.
      • Increasing one’s wisdom and knowledge leads to an increase in sorrow and grief.
      • For those who don’t ponder the problems of life, there is an innocence of not having to wrestle with the “why’s” and try to understand God.
    • If we think back to Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan, we have a clearer understanding of this picture.
      • When they sinned, they received an experiential understanding of good and evil.
      • This revelation resulted in their alienation from God.
      • The increase in knowledge only increased their sorrow.
      • This cycle has afflicted mankind ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden.
  • For many people, life is boring and monotonous.
  • For the Christian, life should be an open door and not a closed circle.
    • The believer experiences daily blessings from God.
    • While it is true we can’t understand or explain everything; life is not built on explanations.
    • For the Christian, life is built on the promises of God.
    • God’s Word is full of His promises.
    • As a believer, if your life resembles a closed circle, you need to turn back to Jesus and experience once again the fullness and blessing of living in a close relationship with God.

Applications

  • Seeking after wisdom for the sake of seeking is wasted time. Education for the purpose of our vocation is not a bad thing unless our motivation is wrong. Follow the path of God’s will for our life and find your wisdom in Scripture.
  • When incidents occur where there is no explanation, don’t try and force an explanation. God’s ways are higher than ours and always perfect. In this life, we may never understand all the things that happen to us. That’s certainly been my experience. Focus on God’s promises and find peace in them.
  • The only wisdom we should chase after is found in Scripture. 
  • Fullness in life is found in Christ, not in anything the world will try and use as a substitute.