The final chapter begins with a continuation of advice directed to the young. They are told to remember God in their youth before difficult days come in which there will be found little pleasure. Solomon talks about the weakening of our body and mind as we get older. Old age is a certainty for those who live a normal life span.
Again, we will see Solomon describes life as vanity without one important thing which we will see as we conclude the message. He brings us to a great conclusion. He gives us our whole purpose in living. When one finds that truth, one’s life will radiate joy, peace, and contentment. We will be led to understand that we are the creation of a majestic God who loves us and desires a close intimate relationship with us. What a mighty God we indeed serve
I. One more time for the kids sake
(Ecclesiastes12:1-7) 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; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
A. REMEMBER GOD IN YOUR YOUTH (vs. 1-2)
1. Difficult days will come. 2. Joy of youth will fade into the sorrow of old age. 3. Worries of life increase as you get older, stop, and enjoy today. 4. You will have memories of today, but you will not relive today.
B. Consider what is yet to come (vs. 3-7)
1. The day is coming in which: a. The body weakens. b. The mind begins to fail you. c. Eyes begin to lose their brightness – sight is dimed. d. Hearing betrays you. e. Sleep fades quickly f. The sound of the grinding is low (the mouth and speech become unintelligible) G. Fleshly desires fade away. H. Death and eternity await. – The body goes to dust and the spirit goes to God.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Remember your Creator before: a. You leave the care of mother and father. b. Before the heartache of sin shatters your life. c. Before the body decays and there is not remembrance of Godly things.
II. Conclusion (verses 12:8-14)
A. THE Truth restated (8-12) 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
1. The grand theme restated: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity…”
2. The Preacher’s ongoing work (because he was wise)
a. He continued to teach others until his death.
b. He imparted words of wisdom and truth to others, especially to the young
3. The value of such words of truth a. The words of the wise are sweeter than honey.
1) To compare the harm of folly and the value of wisdom
2) To see the impact of folly on one’s reputation, the government, and in business
SUMMARY
The Preacher continues to share wisdom that can help endure the many vanities in life. This chapter is filled with proverbial statements, in which he first deplores folly and the affect it can have on one’s reputation (1-3).
The Preacher also describes how folly is often manifested in government, and in one’s life and labors. The land suffers when governed by foolish men, and labor is made even more difficult. Yet wisdom can bring success to one’s endeavors, and blessings to the land when found in the conduct of those who lead (4-20).
Definition of folly 1: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
I. FOLLY PLAYED OUT
ECCLESIASTES 10:1-3 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool.
B. IT SERVES AS AN UNSAFE GUIDE (2) 1. The wise man’s heart is at his right hand. 2. The fool’s heart is at his left hand (in the wrong place)
C. IT BETRAYS ITS OWN STUPIDITY (3) 1. Allows all men see your lack of wisdom. 2. Makes you look foolish in the eyes of others.
II. FOLLY MANIFESTED
ECCLESIASTES 10:4-20
A. WHEN THE SPIRIT OF THE RULER RISES AGAINST YOU
(4) If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
1. Do not give in – DO NOT BE MOVED FROM TRUTH
2. To give in gives solace to the evil doer.
3. Do not be a pacifier to the evil, be a hinderance to the evil
B. WHEN FOLLY IS MANIFESTED IN GOVERNMENT AND LABOR
ECCLESIASTES 10:5-20
An evil observed by the Preacher (5-7) –
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
a. Folly in the hearts of the ruler leads others to destruction. b. Folly calls evil good and good evil.
Isaiah 5:20-24 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
c. the end of folly is total destruction
2. Those who labor with foolishness hurt and hinder themselves.
(8-10) – 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
a. Folly sets its own trap.
b. Turning from wisdom for folly will always bring much sorrow
Galatians 6:3,7 – 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 7 Be not deceived; Godisnotmocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
c. Folly leads to a hard life of confusion and hurt.
3. The foolish seldom know how to restrain themselves
(11-15)11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
a. Words of the foolish are as babble to the wise
b. They do not know how to hold their tongues.
c. They do not know how to direct their labor
4. How folly and wisdom affect the condition of the country.
(16-19) – Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
a. Woe to the land whose leaders…
1) are selfish and remove all Biblical landmarks
2) Are lazy, giving in to the evil of the hearts of men for popularities sake
3) Allow the nation to be overtaken while they “party” on
b. Blessed is the land whose leaders…
1) Work to keep the nation secure and sound
2) Focus on the needs of the nation
3) Are willing to stand up to evil and praise righteousness
5. Be careful what you say
(20)Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
a. Pray for those in authority – pray for righteous rulings.
b. Do not despise the wealthy – they provide for many.
c. Choose your words wisely; you may have to eat them.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Today we begin to examine the vanity of the material things in life. We are all worried about the covid-19 and the main fear is that of dying. We will be reminded over and over in Ecclesiastes that death is a certain part of living. We are born, we live, and we die. What happens after we die is of utmost importance. Solomon’s main lesson in Ecclesiastes is prepare for death. It is coming to all. It is the one certain thing in life.
Death happens to all
The rich and the poor
The wise and the foolish
Those who work and those who do not
The famous and the unfamous
As we see in this passage, life is a balancing act. They are good times and bad times. There are joyful times and sorrowful times. There is a time of struggle and a time of peace. Next time we will talk about this balance, but for today we are going to look at the vanities of this life that we spend far too much time seeking after, so let us begin.
The vanity of pleasure –
verse 2:1- I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
A. Solomon had plenty of money B. Solomon has plenty of “fun” C. Solomon had plenty of fame
The vanity of labor
Ecclesiastes 2:11 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.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 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.
The vanity of human wisdom
verse 2:15 – 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
A. Man’s wisdom falls far short of God’s wisdom B. True wisdom is to know and do the will of God C. True wisdom only comes when we trust God and follow what He says
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The vanity of working just to leave an inheritance
verse 2:19-21- 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.
A.Life should be lived to its spiritual fullness –
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
B. Leave a spiritual legacy–
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
C. Life is short and we need to invest spiritually in the lives of people –
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The vanity of earthly desires
3:19-21 – For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
The vanity of work ahead of family
4:7-8 – Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Read Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 – God’s Instructions for Christian Households
A. God B. Spouse C. Children D. Profession E. Ministry to those outside our homes
The vanity of popularity
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk –
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk
5:4-7 – 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Matthew 12:36-37 – 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned
The vanity of seeking an abundance
5:9-10 – 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Luke 12:16-20 – 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The vanity of wealth over the gift of God
6:2 – A man to whomGod hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evildisease
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 6:19-21,33 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The vanity of foolish desires
Ecclesiastes 6:9- Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!;
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
The vanity of foolish laughter
Ecclesiastes 7:6- For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity
The vanity of injustice in this life
Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a vanity whichis 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.
Remember Job
The vanity of the days of darkness
Ecclesiastes 11:8 But if a man live manyyears, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
The vanity of youthful ambitions and desires
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Thereforeremove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
