Futility

The Futility of Human Endeavor

I received a request this week to speak with a young couple. They were evacuees from New Orleans fleeing from Hurricane Katrina. They had 5 children ages 1-12 years. They were living with the husband’s sister in a nearby suburb.  Like so many others, they had lost their home and jobs.

The wife was depressed. She said that she felt like a charity case and felt even worse every time some one did some thing for them. She said they were able-bodied people who could do things for themselves, if some one gave them the opportunity. But there was no use. They were stuck and She had nothing to live for.

When I reminded her that God had spared her life and the lives of her family for a reason, she said that she knew that. And the only reason she was still hanging on was that she was unsure about her 12 year-old’s salvation. I told her that there was more. She was not a charity case, she was a God’s child and He had put her in the place of favor. It was Him blessing her.

She knew this but just couldn’t get it. She had lost hope.

This morning we’re going to begin a new study. I don’t know how far we will get this morning… We’re going to look at man’s wisdom and begin a study in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes is different from any other book of the Bible. It is part of the category known as “wisdom literature” (with Job and Proverbs). Wisdom literature focuses on man - the creature, his life on earth, and how hard it is for man to understand the ways of God. It has nothing to do with covenant, Israel, redemption, prophecy, sacred history, or the temple.

Ecclesiastes goes beyond the other wisdom literature to emphasize the fact that human life and human goals, apart from God, are futile and meaningless.

Who wrote this book?

The author does not give us his name. But he does describe himself and some of his experiences.

·       He called himself “son of David”

·       12 times he refers to himself as “king in Jerusalem” (1:1, 12),

·       He referred to the problems of “official bureaucracy” (4:1–3; 5:8; 8:11; 10:6–7). What does that mean? That his kingdom was huge and it took many people to run the government.

·       He oversaw a large standing army and extensive government agencies.

·       He carried on many costly building projects and lived in luxury at court (1 Kings 9:10–28 and 10:1ff; 2 Chron. 1:13–17).

·       Not only did somebody have to manage it all but somebody had to pay for it!

That would lead us to conclude? Solomon

When we think of Solomon we think of 2 things

·       great wealth

·       great wisdom (2:1–11, and 1:13; see 1 Kings 4:20–34 and 10:1ff).

Solomon trusted in his wisdom rather than in the guidelines given in God’s Word. To unify the country, Solomon ignored the original boundaries of the twelve tribes of Israel and then divided the nation into twelve “tax districts.” Each one was managed by an overseer (1 Kings 4:7–19). In time, the whole system became oppressive and corrupt; and after Solomon died, the people begged for relief (2 Chron. 10). When we study Ecclesiastes, remember this background of exploitation and oppression.

We also know that Solomon was raised in a godly household. After all, his father was David. We know David taught Solomon to be a humble servant and seek God’s wisdom and help (1 Kings 3:5–15).

But we also know that as he grew older, Solomon allowed his heart to turn away from God and to the false gods of the many wives (700 wives and 300 concubines) he had taken from foreign lands (1 Kings 11:1ff).

Was he like King Xerxes in the book of Esther? Did he just like women? History tells is that these marriages were motivated primarily by politics. Solomon sought alliances with the nations around Israel. Solomon wanted to make Israel the greatest nation in the world. Now that intention is very good. But the motivation and execution shows that he did it himself – without regard for God’s direction. He was a wise man, he didn’t need God.

Now when you do things in your own strength, what happens? God becomes jealous. And no amount of money or authority can stop divine judgment.” Solomon’s latter years were miserable because God removed His hand of blessing (1 Kings 11). In fact the only reason Solomon maintained his throne was because of God’s promise to David. After Solomon’s death, the nation divided; and the house of David was left with but two tribes, Judah and Benjamin.

We know that Solomon wrote 2 other books: Proverbs (Prov. 1:1; 1 Kings 4:32) and the Song of Solomon (1:1) during the years he faithfully walked with God. Because of the tone of this book, Ecclesiastes appears to be written near the end of Solomon’s life. It is a series of reflections of his life’s experiences and the lessons he learned.

Proverbs was written from the viewpoint of a wise teacher (1:1–6), and Song of Solomon from the viewpoint of a royal lover (3:7–11); but when he wrote Ecclesiastes, he called himself “the Preacher” (1:1, 2, 12; 7:27; 12:8–10).

Side note: interesting to note that Jews read the book of Ecclesiastes at the annual Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates the autumn festival of harvest. I thinks its neat that we would be studying this book at this time.

Ecclesiates 1:

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

The word for Preacher in Hebrew the word is Koheleth (ko-HAY-leth). It is an official title given to a speaker who calls an assembly (see 1 Kings 8:1). And we know that the Greek word for “assembly” is ekklesia. So, Ecclesiastes is the written record of the sermons given by the preacher.

2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

OK Bible scholars, what does it mean when we see a word or phrase repeated. The author is making a point. This is important! Pay attention! Did you hear me the first time?

Solomon used the word “vanity” thirty-eight times in this book. It is the Hebrew word hebel, meaning

·       “emptiness, futility, vapor.”

·       Whatever disappears quickly and leaves nothing behind

·       Whatever does not satisfy is hevel, vanity.

When he considers his wealth, his works, his wisdom, or his world, Solomon comes to the same sad conclusion: all is “vanity and vexation of spirit” (2:11).

 3 What advantage

Another translation for advantage is Profit. This is used ten times in Ecclesiastes (1:3; 2:11, 13 [excelleth]; 3:9; 5:9, 16; 7:12 [excellency]; 10:10, 11 [better]). This word is unique to the Old Testament and only found here. It means “that which is left over.” It may be translated “surplus, advantage, gain.”

Solomon used the literary device of contrast often. Our first example is the word “profit” it is the opposite of “vanity.” Look for more examples as we continue.

3 What advantage does man have in all his work

At least eleven different Hebrew words are translated “labor” or “work”. This one, “amal” is used twenty-three times in Ecclesiastes. It means “to toil to the point of exhaustion and yet experience little or no fulfillment in your work.” It carries with it the ideas of grief, misery, frustration, and weariness.

3 What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?

Under the sun is an important phrase used twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes. It is used 3 times in direct contrast with the phrase “under heaven” (1:13; 2:3; 3:1). The writer is looking at life from a human perspective -- not from heaven’s point of view. He is applying his own wisdom and experience to the human situation and trying to make some sense out of life. Is that possible? No

Then why did he ask the question? Think of it this way, my nephew Luis is a genius when it comes to math. He is a freshman at the U of I and is taking Advanced Honors Calculus. Most of his classmates are grad students and therefore much older than he is. During one of the first classes he asked the teacher to go over a problem again. When the teacher answered, he noticed that his classmates took out pencil and paper and copied down the explanation. His classmates didn’t know how to answer the problem, they were grateful Luis had asked. They were pretending to know what was going on.

Solomon asked the question for the reader. At one point in all of our lives we all want to know “what are we here for?”

4 A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever.

In other words, Solomon was saying Nature may be permanent, but man’s time on earth is brief. Individuals and families come and go, nations and empires rise and fall, but the earth remains the same.

Now remember, Solomon’s perspective is human wisdom. In the next 3 verses Solomon is speaking as a scientist observing nature.

5 Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; and hastening to its place it rises there again.

Solomon pictures the sun rising in the east and “panting” (literal translation) its way across the sky in pursuit of the western horizon. So what does it accomplish? One day is just like another, and the heavens remain the same.

6 Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along; and on its circular courses the wind returns.

Solomon stated that the wind is constantly moving and changing directions, and yet it is still—the wind! We hear it and feel it, and we see what it does, but over the centuries, the wind has not changed.

7 All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.

Scientists tell us that, at any given time, 97 percent of all the water on earth is in the oceans; and only .0001 percent is in the atmosphere, available for rain. (That’s enough for about ten days of rain.) God created the balance between the sun and the wind in such a way that evaporation and movement of moisture by the wind, keeps the waters where they belong. Rivers and the rains pour water into the seas, but the seas remain the same.

So, whether we look at the earth or the heavens, the winds or the waters, we come to the same conclusion: nature does not change. But this is only true only if you look at life “under the sun” and leave God out of the picture.

Does God have the ability to move nature? Yep!

·       He held the sun in place so Joshua could finish an important battle (Josh. 10:6–14),

·       He moved the sun back as a sign to King Hezekiah (Isa. 38:1–8).

·       He opened the Red Sea and the Jordan River for Israel (Ex. 14; Josh. 3–4).

·       He “turned off” the rain for Elijah (1 Kings 17) and then “turned it on” again (James 5:17–18).

·       He calmed the wind and the waves for the disciples (Mark 4:35–41),

·       and in the future, will use the forces of nature to bring terror and judgment to people on the earth (see Revelation 6ff)

8 All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it.

Sometimes you don’t know what to say.

The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing.

You know the phrase they eye is bigger than the stomach? It means we always want more. One more place to go, one more adventure to take, one more person to meet. We’re always looking for the next big event.

9 That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.

If nothing changes, then it is reasonable to conclude that nothing in this world is new. Solomon has stopped being a scientist (stopped looking at nature) and became a historian. He observes people making the same choices and the same mistakes.

10 Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”? Already it has existed for ages which were before us.

This is one of those verses that people use to say that the Bible is out of date. After all, modern man is very inventive. We have things now, even Solomon, the wisest man in the world couldn’t understand: microwaves, space shuttles, computers. But the truth is Man cannot “create” anything new because man is the creature, not the Creator. Only God can create new things.

11 There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will occur, there will be for them no remembrance among those who will come later still.

Solomon wrote about the basic principles of life and not about methods. Methods always change, principles don’t. Whether you use a camp fire or a microwave, You still need to produce heat to cook.

The second point Solomon is making here is that although we all contribute something to this world, not everyone will be remembered by later generations. Some would wonder what meaning their life has if they are not remembered. Thank God we have eternity! God has not forgotten us, our lives do have meaning.

12 I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Notice he says “have been” not “am” King. This is support that Solomon wrote this as an old man, ready to pass his kingdom on to his successors.

13 And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven.

Solomon changes his perspective again from historian to philosopher. As the king of Israel, he had all the resources for “testing” all aspects of life to find the satisfaction that made life worth living.

13b It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

A simpler word for “grievous” is Evil. It is used thirty-one times and is also translated “sore” (1:13; 4:8), “hurt” (5:13; 8:9), “mischievous” (10:13), “adversity” (7:14), “wickedness” (7:15), and “misery” (8:6).

It is the opposite of “good” and covers a multitude of things: pain, sorrow, hard circumstances, and distress. It is one of King Solomon’s favorite words for describing life as he sees it “under the sun.”

13b It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

Solomon mentions God forty times in Ecclesiastes. BUT Since he is describing what he sees “under the sun,” he uses the name “Elohim”. Elohim is the Mighty God, the God of creation who is in charge of the Universe. Does Solomon sound like he is blaming God for his lot in life? Of course he does. But who’s fault is it actually that Solomon cannot find contentment? His own. He made the choice not to include God in his plans.

14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

Life doesn’t get easier if you try to run away from it. All the works that are done “under the sun” never truly satisfy the heart. We only make life harder when we try to escape. Instead of running away from life, we should run to God and let Him make life worth living.

15 What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.

Not everything can be changed. If we spend all our time and energy trying to straighten out everything that is twisted, we will have nothing left with which to live our lives! And if we try to spend what we don’t have, we will end up in bankruptcy.

“The past can’t be changed, and it is foolish to worry over what you might have done.” We have to remind ourselves, that God has the power to straighten out what is twisted and supply what is lacking. He cannot change the past, but He can change the way that the past affects us.

16 I said to myself,

Look for this phrase to appear again and again. All of the conclusions Solomon draws are based on his knowledge & understanding. Solomon didn’t pray or seek counsel from Scripture of advisors. How dangerous can that be, to set yourself up as the seat of all wisdom?

16 I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

But Wisdom and experience will not solve every problem. There are no explanations for some things that happen, and God is not obligated to explain them anyway. (In fact, we might not understand them if he did!) That may be why we walk by faith and not by sight.

Solomon was the wisest of men, and people came from all over to hear his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29–34). His wealth was so vast that he had the resources available to do just about anything he wanted to do.

However, his wisdom only added to his difficulties. People who never think about the problems of life, live innocently day after day. They never feel the pain of wrestling with God to understand His ways. In fact the more we seek knowledge and wisdom, the more ignorant we know we are.

In the Garden of Eden and Satan’s offer to Eve was, if she ate of the fruit, she would have the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3). She got this alright, but in the process became alienated from God, this knowledge added to their sorrows. Today we make great advances in human knowledge but at the same time we create a new set of problems: E.g. every drug created to cure one illness produces side effects that cause others.

17 And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

Yet another contrast. There are at least thirty-two references to “fools” and “folly” and at least fifty-four to “wisdom.”

18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.

The society which Solomon lived in (1000 before the birth of Christ) wasn’t too different from our world today.

·       the poor were many and treated badly (4:1–3),

·       corruption in politics (5:8),

·       incompetent leaders (10:6–7),

·       guilty people allowed to commit more crime (8:11),

·       materialism (5:10),

·       people longed for “the good old days” (7:10).

It sounds up-to-date, doesn’t it?

Solomon experimented with life and discovered that there was no lasting satisfaction in possessions, pleasures, power, or prestige. He had everything, yet his life was empty!

Remember, Solomon knew God and was greatly blessed by Him, yet he turned from the Lord and went his own way. No wonder he became pessimistic and skeptical as he looked at life! He didn’t have God’s perspective because he wasn’t living for God’s purposes.

No matter how much wealth, education, or social prestige you may have, life without God is futile. You are only “chasing after the wind” if you expect to find satisfaction and personal fulfillment in the things of the world. Jesus asked in Mark 8:36. “For what shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The answer, a brief fruitless life lived under the s.u.n when it could have been lived forever under the s.o.n.