Tag: vanity

“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.

Ecclesiastes lesson two – All is Vanity

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

  1. The rich and the poor
  2. The wise and the foolish
  3. Those who work and those who do not
  4. 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 whom God 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 evil disease

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 28:6 Better 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 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.

Remember Job

The vanity of the days of darkness

Ecclesiastes 11:8 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.

The vanity of youthful ambitions and desires

Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

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