5 Major Questions About Life (PBC)
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6/27/2023 Let’s Pray Heavenly Father, I praise you tonight with all of my heart. Thank you so much for waking me up this morning carrying through out this blessed day and making a way for us to be her tonight. I’m so grateful for all of the goodness you have done for us. Lord You are our ultimate source of strength peace and happiness help us Lord please give us strength when we are weak. Help us stand when we are down. O God Our Heavenly Father please continue to bless us where we stand in need of blessings, it is in Jesus name that I pray and the church said Amen.
6/27/2023 Let’s Pray Heavenly Father, I praise you tonight with all of my heart. Thank you so much for waking me up this morning carrying through out this blessed day and making a way for us to be her tonight. I’m so grateful for all of the goodness you have done for us. Lord You are our ultimate source of strength peace and happiness help us Lord please give us strength when we are weak. Help us stand when we are down. O God Our Heavenly Father please continue to bless us where we stand in need of blessings, it is in Jesus name that I pray and the church said Amen.
In Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 Tonight I’d like to see what the writer Solomon meant when He asked 5 Major Questions About Life.
In Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 Tonight I’d like to see what the writer Solomon meant when He asked 5 Major Questions About Life.
So to begin with in verses 1, 2 &3 Solomon Asked “Does “Having Fun bring” Happiness”?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. I somewhat understood the bible from the KJV. However for easier interpretation I copied the NCV Check it out.
So to begin with in verses 1, 2 &3 Solomon Asked “Does “Having Fun bring” Happiness”?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. I somewhat understood the bible from the KJV. However for easier interpretation I copied the NCV Check it out.
From NCV 2: I said to myself, “I will try having fun. I will enjoy myself.” But I found that this is also useless. 2 It is foolish to laugh all the time, and having fun doesn’t accomplish anything. 3. I decided to cheer myself up with wine while my mind was still thinking wisely. I wanted to find a way to enjoy myself and see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
From NCV 2: I said to myself, “I will try having fun. I will enjoy myself.” But I found that this is also useless. 2 It is foolish to laugh all the time, and having fun doesn’t accomplish anything. 3. I decided to cheer myself up with wine while my mind was still thinking wisely. I wanted to find a way to enjoy myself and see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.
NIV says 2:I thought in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. Solomon said I tried it, I tried it all.I just wanted to know if it’s as good as it looks. And Solomon concluded that the overindulgence of fun is good but after a while He said that I saw that it was fun anymore. He said in verse 3 I dranked and dranked and I said to myself I’m going to still be smarter than everyone else in the room. I’m Rev Dr Solomon and I discovered that nobody cared that I was the smartest person in the room because we are all Drunk!!! A Drunk person man /or woman don’t care how smart you are while they’re drinking and partying. Solomon said it’s meaningless I tried laughing about funny stuff in verse 2 but after a while none of the laughing matter very much at all. Solomon said I tried having fun but it was all vanity vanity, vanity, and the mirth is a symbol of sweet perfume expensive perfume mirth is an atmosphere setter. Get the mood established and Solomon said it’s all useless.
NIV says 2:I thought in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. Solomon said I tried it, I tried it all.I just wanted to know if it’s as good as it looks. And Solomon concluded that the overindulgence of fun is good but after a while He said that I saw that it was fun anymore. He said in verse 3 I dranked and dranked and I said to myself I’m going to still be smarter than everyone else in the room. I’m Rev Dr Solomon and I discovered that nobody cared that I was the smartest person in the room because we are all Drunk!!! A Drunk person man /or woman don’t care how smart you are while they’re drinking and partying. Solomon said it’s meaningless I tried laughing about funny stuff in verse 2 but after a while none of the laughing matter very much at all. Solomon said I tried having fun but it was all vanity vanity, vanity, and the mirth is a symbol of sweet perfume expensive perfume mirth is an atmosphere setter. Get the mood established and Solomon said it’s all useless.
And so “Does Having Fun Bring Happiness”.
And so “Does Having Fun Bring Happiness”.
Let’s move on to The second Question in the text,since loosy goosy and folly and fun isn’t happiness, What about “Does hard work bring Happiness”? Look at Ecclesiastes 2:4- 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.
Let’s move on to The second Question in the text,since loosy goosy and folly and fun isn’t happiness, What about “Does hard work bring Happiness”? Look at Ecclesiastes 2:4- 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.
Let’s count how many things Solomon did for happiness. ( I found 25)
Let’s count how many things Solomon did for happiness. ( I found 25)
NCV 4 Then I did great things: I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made pools of water for myself and used them to water my growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and slaves were also born in my house. I had large herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem had ever had before. 8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, treasures from kings and other areas. I had male and female singers and all the women a man could ever want. 9 I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom helped me in all this.10 Anything I saw and wanted, I got for myself; I did not miss any pleasure I desired.I was pleased with everything I did, and this pleasure was the reward for all my hard work. 11 But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work, Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind, There is nothing to gain from anything we do here on earth.
NCV 4 Then I did great things: I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made pools of water for myself and used them to water my growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and slaves were also born in my house. I had large herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem had ever had before. 8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, treasures from kings and other areas. I had male and female singers and all the women a man could ever want. 9 I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom helped me in all this.10 Anything I saw and wanted, I got for myself; I did not miss any pleasure I desired.I was pleased with everything I did, and this pleasure was the reward for all my hard work. 11 But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work, Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind, There is nothing to gain from anything we do here on earth.
And so Does Hard Work Bring Happiness? After hearing Solomon I almost felt depressed. I can’t have fun fun fun it’s vanity and I can’t be a workaholic workaholic workaholic because it’s vanity on the other extreme.
And so Does Hard Work Bring Happiness? After hearing Solomon I almost felt depressed. I can’t have fun fun fun it’s vanity and I can’t be a workaholic workaholic workaholic because it’s vanity on the other extreme.
And so Solomon posed another pertinent question. The 3rd question is Maybe Finding Wisdom Is the Answer,IDK? Look at Ecclesiastes 2:12 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. 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. Solomon has a gut check. Solomon has a reckoning with himself. I read in the proverbs somewhere why are you worrying a fool with wisdom seeing that he has no mind for it.
And so Solomon posed another pertinent question. The 3rd question is Maybe Finding Wisdom Is the Answer,IDK? Look at Ecclesiastes 2:12 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. 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. Solomon has a gut check. Solomon has a reckoning with himself. I read in the proverbs somewhere why are you worrying a fool with wisdom seeing that he has no mind for it.
12 Then I began to think again about being wise,
and also about being foolish and doing crazy things.
But after all, what more can anyone do?
He can’t do more than what the other king has already done.
13 I saw that being wise is certainly better than being foolish,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 Wise people see where they are going,
but fools walk around in the dark. Yet I saw that
both wise and foolish people end the same way.
15 I thought to myself,
“What happens to a fool will happen to me, too,
so what is the reward for being wise?”
I said to myself,
“Being wise is also useless.”
16 The wise person and the fool
will both die,
and no one will remember either one for long.
In the future, both will be forgotten.
The same thing that happens to the fool happens to me. How many noteworthy facts did you find in this text in verses 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16. (I found 17) Question 4, Is There Real Happiness In Life ? Look at Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 V.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.
This is what it’s like spending a day with King Solomon. The wisest man that ever lived other than Jesus the Christ. He depressed and want to die. And why and what is his argument and how did he come to this impasse ? NCV says 17 So I hated life. It made me sad to think that everything here on earth is useless, like chasing the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had worked for here on earth, because I must leave them to someone who will live after me. 19 Someone else will control everything for which I worked so hard here on earth, and I don’t know if he will be wise or foolish. This is also useless. 20 So I became sad about all the hard work I had done here on earth. 21 People can work hard using all their wisdom, knowledge, and skill, but they will die, and other people will get the things for which they worked. They did not do the work, but they will get everything. This is also unfair and useless. 22 What do people get for all their work and struggling here on earth? 23 All of their lives their work is full of pain and sorrow, and even at night their minds don’t rest. This is also useless.
And so question #5 asked us “ What Is The Best Thing To Do”? And then finally Ecclesiastes 2: 24-26 gives us the answer 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. The NCV says 24 The best that people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy their work. I saw that even this comes from God, 25 because no one can eat or enjoy life without him. 26 If people please God, God will give them wisdom, knowledge, and joy. But sinners will get only the work of gathering and storing wealth that they will have to give to the ones who please God. So all their work is useless, like chasing the wind.
The Everyday Bible: New Century Version (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005), Ec 2:24–26.