Tag: ecclesiastes study

“THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES”

Chapter Eleven
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the value of benevolence and diligence in preparing for the future

2) To glean what counsel the Preacher offers for those who are young

SUMMARY

In this chapter the Preacher begins with encouraging benevolence and diligence as ways to guard against the uncertain future. By casting our bread upon the waters, willing to offer servings to many, and not withholding our hands in the evening, our benevolence may serve us well in the future should evil befall us. Likewise, things may happen beyond our ability to control or comprehend, but diligence in sowing seed and being mindful of the dark days to come can help to prepare us for their coming (Ecclesiastes 1-8).

This chapter also introduces counsel from the Preacher designed
especially for the young. The young man is encouraged to rejoice,
letting his heart cheer him. He is told to walk in the ways of his
heart and in the sight of his eyes, yet with the knowledge that God will hold him accountable for all that he does. So, remove sorrow (i.e., rejoice!). But also put away evil during the fleeting years of
childhood and youth (Ecclesiastes 9-10).

OUTLINE

I. THE VALUE OF BENEVOLENCE AND DILIGENCE (11:1-8)

A. AN EXHORTATION TO BENEVOLENCE (Ecclesiastes 1-2) – 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.


1. Cast your bread upon the waters, you will find it after many
days
2. Give servings to seven, and to eight, for you do not know what
evil will come.

B. AN EXHORTATION TO DILIGENCE (Ecclesiastes3-8) If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.


1. Many things (like rain and windstorms) are inevitable (verses 3-4)


a. We cannot stop the clouds full of rain from falling.
b. Trees will lie wherever they fall.
c. If we spend our time just watching and not doing, we will
not sow nor reap.
2. There are things we cannot comprehend (verses 5-6)
a. Like the way of the wind (or spirit)
b. Like the development of the child in the womb
c. We cannot comprehend God’s working; therefore do not
restrict your efforts.
3. There will be days of darkness ( verses 7-8)
a. It is great to be alive when one is well.
1) The light is sweet
2) It is pleasant to behold the sun
b. But even if one lives many joyful days, they should know
that evil days will come.

II. ADVICE TO THE YOUNG

(Ecclesiastes11:9-10) Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

A. REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH (9) Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

  1. Let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.
    1. Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes as they are focused on heavenly things.B. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THE JUDGMENT (9)

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Galations 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.


2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;


James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

  1. God will bring you into judgment.
    1. You will answer for all that you do.

C. REMOVE SORROW AND EVIL (Ecclesiastes 10) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Romans 2:6-10 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.


Put away evil from your flesh.
Childhood and youth are spent seeking after vain things.


III. Faithfulness to the things of God will always be rewarded –

II Corinthins 9:6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

“THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES”

Submit to authority and learn to enjoy life

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To glean wisdom for enduring evil and oppressive governments

2) To note the similarity between the Preacher’s conclusion and the book of Job about the inability of man to discern all of the work of God

I. ENDURING THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEN

ECCLESIASTES 8:1-8
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.2 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.6 ¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

A. SUBMIT TO AUTHORITIES


1. True wisdom is able to change one’s countenance –
2. Obey orders that do not contradict scripture –
Don’t be hasty to do your own thing – (not all authority’s orders are against God’s word) – remember, America is a
great country, but our allegiance to God comes first

a. Be willing to suffer for standing firm in your Biblical
Convictions –

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.


Acts 4:16-23 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

b. respect their authority, but Honor Christ first
  1. A wise man will understand that judgment will come in God’s
    own time, so don’t resort to rebellion just to have your way
    Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher
    powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
    ordained of God.
    1 Peter 2:11-17 – Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
    and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
ANTICIPATE WICKED RULERS

ECCLESIASTES 9-13 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
1. There will be times when men rule to their own ruin
2. They will soon be forgotten after their demise
3. Why do some persist in their evil?
a. Because their judgment does not occur immediately
b. They might be God’s instrument to lead His people to repentance.
c. They will be judged in God’s timing, not ours

Psalm 94
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man nowledge, shall not he know?11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my efuge.23 And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

II. ENDURING THE VANITY OF THIS LIFE (8:14-17)
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there
be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work
of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it
happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that
this also is vanity. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a
man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to
drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his
labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the
sun. 16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to
see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is
that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) 17 Then
I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the
work that is done under the sun: because though a man
labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further;
though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to
find it.

A. EXPECT PERPLEXITY ( verse 14, 16-17)

  1. Sometimes the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper, which is vanity
  2. One cannot always understand why things happen the way they do (remember Job?)

B. ENJOY LIFE (verse 15)
1. Delight in the fruits of your own labor
a. Be merry in the things God has given you – Proverbs 15:13 A
merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow
of the heart the spirit is broken.


Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he
that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.


Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.


b. As you labor in the days God has given you in life under the
sun
2. The advice given throughout this book – 2:24-26 24 There is
nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink,
and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour.
his also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25 For who
can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?26 For
God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and
knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to
gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good
before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.;


3:12-13 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a
man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.13 And also that
every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his
labour, it is the gift of God.

5:18-20 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and
comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of
all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his
life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19 Every
man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and
hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion,
and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.20 For he
shall not much remember the days of his life; because God
answereth him in the joy of his heart.

COUNSEL FOR BALANCED LIVING Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

Spiritual/physical

A. DO THINGS IN MODERATION

Ecclesiastes 15-22

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

  1. The righteous do not always prosper, nor do the wicked always suffer – Matthew 5:43-46 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
    a. Do not judge your spiritual condition on your material
    possessions
    b. God’s material blessings are not necessarily dependent upon your spiritual condition
    c. Avoid focusing on material blessings and instead focus on your spiritual ones – your eternal ones
    d. Avoid wickedness and foolishness, lest you die before your
    time –

I Corinthians 11:28-31 – But let a man examine
himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that
cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the
Lord’s body.30 For this cause many are weak and sickly
among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge
ourselves, we should not be judged.

  1. Seek after true righteousness and wisdom – Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
    a. A proper reverence for God will bring order during
    chaotic world

Psalms 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

   

   

Psalm 115:13-16 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you moreand more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

 Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and  he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

(The word fear here means a respect for, reverence for)

b. Wisdom is a source of strength in our spiritual lives
II Corinthians 4:8-10 We are troubled on every
side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair;9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying
of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our body.

            c.  No one is perfect – you will not always make the right choice.  Realize that!

                 

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?

Ephesians 2:1-3 – And you hath he quickened, who
were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye
walked according to the course of this world, according to
the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom
also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;
and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others

3. Don’t take to heart everything you hear

Luke 6:22-26
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall
separate you from their company, and shall reproach you,
and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your
reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their
fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich!
for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that
are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now!
for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all
men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the
false prophets.

a. You may hear another curse you
b. You may hear others praise you
c. Your praise and glory should be directed to God

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and
the Father by him.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to
the Lord, and not unto men;
  1. Remember God’s priority list – God, Spouse, Children, Job,
    Ministry

B. WISDOM ALONE IS NOT THE ANSWER

Ecclesiastes23-29 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

  1. There are questions wisdom cannot answer
    Isaiah 55:6-12
    Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon Him while he is near:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
  1. God’s way is beyond our human comprehension
  2. Following God’s lead will end in peace and joy for the believer
    b. No matter how hard and long you search
    c. Quit trying to figure God out and just trust His leading
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
  1. Friendship with the wicked will ALWAYS bring you down.

II Timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

a. The preacher found this out in his search for wisdom
b. Joining in with the wicked is more bitter than death
c. He who pleases God shall escape from the wicked, but the sinner shall be taken by her
3. A good man is hard to find
a. In his search, he found only one in a thousand
b. A good woman was even rarer
c. God made man upright, but man has sought out many schemes

Ecclesiastes – Part one

New study in the book of Ecclesiastes began October 18, 2020

Vanity of Earthly Priorities vs Joy of Heavenly Riches

1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
12: 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

How interesting is it that the writer of the Book starts right out by stating all is vanity and in his last chapter repeats his claim.  If this was all he had to say, we would be very miserable people.  He would eat, drink and be merry and then die.  But as we will see, Solomon comes to a wonderful glorious conclusion that we all can find comfort and hope in.  Today we will begin our journey though this often overlooked book and also often misunderstood book.  I hope to be able to bring you some clarity as we study this book together.  I also pray that the Holy Spirit will use this study to reenergize you as you renew your commitment to fully follow after Christ.

By way of introduction

A. Written by Solomon around 945 BC
B. The name Ecclesiastes is the Greek term Ekklesia meaning called out group assembly. It is where the term church comes from (A called out assemply). Here it indicates to one who speaks to the congregation – The preacher
C. The Hebrew name for the book is Qoheleth (Koeleth) meaning “preacher”
D. This book is Solomon “preaching” to us truth29 times

The key words

A. Vanity – 35 times
B. Under the sun – 29 times
C. Man – 47 times
D. Labor – 36 times
E. Wisdom or wise – 52 times
F. Evil – 22 times

Two things Ecclesiastes will do
  1. Prod our thinking – get you to think
  2. Exhort – provide stability and direction
 Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

The problem – IS LIFE WORTH LIVING

Man is insignificant in the scope of the universe
Ecclesiastes 1:4-11

4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Man can not understand the mind of God

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13  And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14  I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15  That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16  I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17  And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

The material pleasures of life do not satisfy

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Death happens to all – rich and poor, wise and foolish, one who labors and those who don’t

Ecclesiastes 2:12-23

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13  Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14  The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15  Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 17  Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18  Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19  And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 20  Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. 21  For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22  For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23  For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

  1. Solomon says enjoy the blessings of God now
  2. Paul seems to agree

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