The very title of this book is quite suggestive. "Ecclesiastes" means preacher. Therefore, we should probably approach the entire book as a sermon.

The author, of course, is Solomon. Though not descriptively defined as Solomon, several portions of the book lead us to know that it is certainly he "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (Chapter 1, verse 1, also see 1:12, 1:16).

The theme of the book, simply put, is: HOW TO LIVE LIFE.

I. LIFE IS DIFFICULT
Solomon points out that life is quite difficult to understand and at times seems futile (Chapter 1:4 through Chapter 2:26).

II. GOD GIVES MEANING
But then Solomon takes the stand that God gives meaning to life (Chapter 3:1-22).

III. THE VANITIES OF LIFE
Solomon returns to examine the difficulties presented in life (Chapter 4:1 through Chapter 5:20), and the futility of riches to bring meaning to life (Chapter 6:1-12).

IV. WISE ADVICE
Advice is given about contending with problems in life (Chapter 7:1 through Chapter 12:8).

V. CONCLUSION
A very dynamic conclusion brings all the things of life into simplistic meaning (Chapter 12:9-14).

The human view of life is a day-to-day view. We cannot see the end. Nor can we see how circumstances in our daily lives work out for the best in who we really are. Therefore, it is best for us to trust in the Lord, and live according to His will. He can see the end from the beginning. And He knows how to use the circumstances in our lives to make us who we are.

CHAPTER 1

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

As an "attention getter," the question is asked, "What PROFIT" can man say he has in life? After all, we are born naked and without anything; and the best we can do on our own is to produce a suit in which to be buried. All other material things are left when we die.

Materialistically, perhaps the best we can do is to provide substance for our children (2Corinthians 12:14).

The question posed SHOULD cause the reader to begin thinking in NON-materialistic terms. Consistent with the theme and the conclusion of this sermon, Solomon is seeking to provide a totally NON-materialistic viewpoint of life.

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.

Humanity is full of "cycles" just like the earth.

The sun rises and sets, and continues in that cycle.
The wind blows from one direction, then another.
Rivers empty to the sea, and the sea empties to the earth to make rivers.

And "one generation" lives and dies, and another takes its place.

The examples shown seem to underline the question posed in verse 3: "What profit" can a man see in the cycle of his life?

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.

Indeed, is there anything really "new"? (Verse 9)

The eye labours all through life, but is never full of seeing.
The ear labours all through life, and is never full of hearing.
Even when a man lives and seems to accomplish much, he dies, and is soon forgotten.

12 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.

Solomon was given a kingdom established. David, his father, had done a tremendous job forming the kingdom of Israel under God's guiding hand. Solomon was left with riches, power and an influential name.

But Solomon did not rest in what he had. He was a very BUSY king. He built the temple according to the directions handed down by his father David. He built many fortresses throughout the nation to provide protection for a future generation (2Kings 9:15-19). He built a tremendous navy (2Kings 9:26-28). But none of these things "satisfied" his heart!

In all of his doing, he sought wisdom more than anything else. He was known far and wide throughout the earth for his wisdom. But even THAT did not "satisfy" his heart!

Solomon had asked God for wisdom to guide the nation of Israel as her king. God had granted it to him. There never has been, nor will there ever be a man as wise as Solomon on this earth (1Kings 3:12). But in being granted great wisdom, Solomon found PAIN!

He could see that God had given mankind "sore travail" (verse 13).

Listen closely now! The "sore travail" which Solomon mentions is that man can have NO PRIDE in what he does!

In keeping with his theme and conclusion, Solomon is showing that man can count NOTHING worthy of glory as his own accomplishment without God! Just as Jesus said, in John 15:5, "...without me ye can do nothing."

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.

In all that we do, what do we really accomplish?

I have seen electricity spread across the USA in my lifetime.
I have seen many modern inventions that are supposed to make life easier.
I have seen men go from simple flying to putting people in outer space.

But what of morality? Is the "crooked...made straight?" NO! If anything, crime is MORE rampant than ever before!

That which is "wanting" is still not filled! In all our human legislation, people still seem to try and find ways to BREAK the law.

This shows, again according to the theme and conclusion of Solomon, that only a change of HEART will bring a change in mankind! It is not fame, fortune, power or ability that brings any good change in man. Man has a "heart condition" called SINFULNESS. And only in changing his heart from self-service to God's service will he change the way he acts and lives.

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.

Solomon mused and contemplated all that he'd learned. It had brought him great "grief" (verse 18). For he realized that a physical king cannot change people. Only a SPIRITUAL King can do that!

SIDE NOTE!

Many people wonder how a man who knew God first-hand, and had so much given to him could go astray. But I believe Solomon tells us why in the following chapter.

He has set his THEME in this sermon: There is FUTILITY in a life of THINGS.

And Solomon has a CONCLUSION toward which he is working in the sermon: "..Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." ((Ecclesiastes 12:13))

Now Solomon is going to us his life to show the futility of seeking satisfaction in any other manner.

CHAPTER 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. 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.

The word for "mirth" is a word which denotes extreme pleasure, glee or rejoicing. Could it be true? Could it be that by MAINTAINING positivity we can really HAVE positivity and happiness? Many books have been written about that subject. It is touted in the world that maintaining a positive attitude will KEEP a person in joy.

But Solomon concludes OTHERWISE! He says it is "vanity!" My friend, the MIND does not control the soul! It is the SPIRIT of man that controls the soul. A person cannot HAVE something simply by PRACTICING it. You must HAVE it in order to PRACTICE it! One does not exercise a body in order to obtain one.

A person cannot live on the "upswing" all the time. There must be mountaintop experiences and valley experiences. It is in the valley experiences that we learn better how to climb the mountain!

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.

So how about "works?" Can we be satisfied by doing great and wonderful things for others? NO!

Even with all his building programs, Solomon realized that he was not changing the heart of people. He was providing them better living conditions, but it only brought him "..vexation of spirit.." (Verse 11).

In ourselves we can do no "good thing" (Romans 7:18-21). It is only when we surrender to Christ, and begin to work according to HIS will, that HE does good things THROUGH us (Philippians 2:13).

Man cannot change man. Only God can change man.

12 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.

One important thing Solomon learned through his experience of life: "..wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness" (Verse 13).

Maintaining a jolly attitude in order to have a jolly attitude accomplishes nothing. It only brings the pain of realizing that one simply CANNOT totally maintain a jolly attitude.

At least seeking wisdom brings a realization. Even though it is the painful realization that man cannot change man, it leads to a brighter conclusion: TURN TO GOD!

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.

A person seeking wisdom in life may have more advantage than the fool; but they both meet the undertaker at the end of this physical life.

And the wise man is no longer remembered than the fool. Therefore, in relation to making a difference in mankind, which is greater? Either or Neither?

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.

Solomon found that one man's wisdom or folly made hardly any difference in the lifestyle of mankind.

Though he was very wise, and accomplished great things, WHO would come after him in his place? Did Solomon foresee the disastrous reign of his son Rehoboam?

Solomon provided a kingdom without equal to his son. It was a kingdom of riches, power and excellence. But his son BLEW IT! ((See 1Kings 12))

Be careful to remember that Solomon is speaking of HIS work; and his work outside of his relationship to God. When we consider all that we do in and of ourselves, and how it accomplishes so little, it brings "..DESPAIR.." (see verse 20).

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.

It is indeed despairing to realize that of all that a man might do in "wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity;.." (verse 21) really makes no great change in the world.

One can strive continually with integrity to try and make a difference. But it is the NEXT PERSON'S DECISION that determines who and what he will be!

A father or mother can set the greatest example and continuously live with integrity before their children. But it is left up to the children to DECIDE who or what they will be!

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. This 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.

Here, at the end of this chapter, is a mini-conclusion. Bringing life down to a "capsule" view, Solomon says GOD has given man this plight! God has given mankind an understanding of good and evil.

It is "good" for a man to live in "wisdom, and knowledge, and joy" (verse 26), under the guiding hand of Almighty God. This is man's station in life.

If man lives in this way, he will reflect the good that GOD can do; and thus, may be used by the Lord to affect someone else's life.

And THAT, my friends, is the purpose of living! To show what GOD can do to make life better!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.