The Vanity of Work

Ecclesiastes Study, 2024

Series Title: Ecclesiastes: The Pursuit of Purpose

Message #6

Ecclesiastes 2:18-23.

ETS: Solomon experienced frustration as he examined all of his work upon earth.

ESS: We cannot find meaningful purpose in work.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to trust in God for fulfillment and purpose, not their work.}

PQ:

What are the frustrations of Solomon as he considers work?

UW: Frustrations

Intro.: [AGS]:

TS: Let us examine a few frustrations of Solomon together, now:

Solomon experienced frustration because his work would be left to someone else. [vv. 18-21]

This is a continuation from the previous verses where Solomon stated that he hated his life— now, he specifically stated that he hated his work.

The reason provided for feelings of hatred and frustration is because he realized that all he had done would be left to someone else.

Again, like before, it is highlighted that the issue of question is what type of person his successor would be— wise or foolish?

This caused Solomon great despair and frustration.

Specifically, it is that he has worked hard to accumulate his achievements, and the person coming after him will not have worked at all for them.

Solomon called this futile and a great wrong.

Thought for us: Our work—all our labor on the earth— will be left for someone else to pick up. As such, our work is void to provide any meaningful purpose.

Solomon experienced frustration because he realized the endless cycle of work, causing restlessness. [vv. 22-23]

The question again, is repeated from Ecc. 1:3 “3 What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?”

Work, in this sense, is meaningless, and leads the person to be filled with grief, sorrow, and restlessness.

Again, just as with wisdom, it is not that work alone is bad or an issue. Yet, the reality of the fall is that even work— something meant to be good— is something that leads a person to despair.

Thought for us: Work alone is not able to provide meaning— if we look to our work for our meaning, we will be distressed, deeply grieved, sorrowed, and restless.

Reflective Questions:

[1] Have you looked to work to try to fill the void in your life?

Doing so will only cause you to work more and more leading you to grief, sorrow, and restlessness.

[2] What other things in your life might you try to fill the void with?

Solomon has examined the following: nature, wisdom, pleasures and possessions, and work. All have proven the same: apart from God, there is no meaning or purpose to the human life.

[3] If you have tried to fill the void in your life with anything other than God, what do you need to do to begin finding your purpose in God and being filled by Him?

Consulted Resources:

[1] Duane A. Garrett, “Ecclesiastes,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017).

[2] Daniel L. Akin and Jonathan Akin, Exalting Jesus in Ecclesiastes (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2016), Ec 1:3–11.

[3] A. R. Fausset, A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Job–Isaiah, vol. III (London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited, n.d.).

[4] James M. Freeman and Harold J. Chadwick, Manners & Customs of the Bible (North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 1998).

[5] Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).

[6] Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 18, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983).

[7] James Parks, Wordplay in the Bible (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2021).