Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26
Notes
Transcript
Camp program guys are always on the search for games that are unique to camp. In reflecting back on our beginning years at the camp in North Louisiana, I remember one such creative endeavor. At the center of the camp lay a 23 acre lake. The lake was pleasant to the eyes when watching the sun reflect off of it and the breeze create the tiny ripples across it. It also had the added enjoyment of fishing for perch, bass, and other fish. It was not as pleasant to swim in; nevertheless every week we had water games in the shallow ends of the lake. In one our first years at the camp the program guys took a watermelon and greased it up. They then put in the water and commenced a rugby type game in which two teams of teenage guys were wrestling with the watermelon in order to get it to their desired goal. The quest was unique, but it is left up to guessing as to why the game was never used again.
If I were to evaluate the game for its effectiveness I may come to the conclusion that it was a frustrating game. Every time you went to grab the watermelon it would slip out of your hands or some dirty wet guy would try to steal it away from you. My negative conclusions about the watermelon would be correct but not complete, for I would be evaluating the watermelon with a limited criteria. I use the case of the watermelon, for I would expect that most of you would never evaluate a watermelon based upon its use in a dirty lake with a bunch of guys. You would more than likely commend it to me as to something to be enjoyed by the taste buds.
Just as the negative conclusion about the watermelon being impossible to hold and play a game with, so the author of this book states the reality of life being futile and fading because there is no possibility for gain in the order of creation. The author then takes this conclusion and leads us on a quest as to the accuracy of such thinking. Usually a quest starts with a hope of discovering something new or beneficial. This quest however is about exploring the despairing them of the futility of life. Lest you think the journey is going to be marked by many things that prove the opposite of life being futile, don’t get your hopes up. He will only enhance and be more descriptive about the futility. In case you think that the quest is carried out in a poor manner, the author stresses that he is conducting this search with wisdom. This isn’t some fool who is recklessly going about doing whatever he wants to do.
If an introduction to a message is supposed to draw someone in to listen, I would think I just gave you plenty reason not to listen. However can I encourage you back to the text with this question: Should you abandon something just because it doesn’t yield the expected results? Can a quest marked by failure end with a beneficial find?
Transition: If your are intrigued by the journey, lets go! (PAUSe) We get only a few feet into the journey and our teacher/guide give us his first “encouraging” bit of information.
A wise quest does not always get satisfying answers
A wise quest does not always get satisfying answers
It’s as if he looks at all your gear and fitness in a commending way, but then declares how ineffective it can be.
I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.
I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
We first note that his quest was not “leaving any rocks unturned” or any path unexplored. His search was diligent.
At the same time he does remind us that his search was limited to that which is under heaven (under the sun earlier)
We see the repeated theme of futility and elusiveness from the introduction.
There is the added frustration of God Himself making the search something troubling/ unhappy business.
We are also introduced to a vivid image of pursuing meaning and gain being likened to chasing the wind.
He then gives a proverb in verse 15 that portrays what he is saying. God has set things up in a certain way and wisdom cannot change them. One does not avoid destructive weather, disease, and old age.
In verse 12-15 he describes how he carried out his quest, verse 16-18 give some general ways in which he pursued wisdom itself.
I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”
And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
In terms of a guide, I can see him making a list of practices that will surely get one lost or hurt and another list of essential things you must do for a successful journey.
He did succeed in his effort of becoming wise. It was unlike any other in Jerusalem before him.
He looked at both sides of things: wisdom and foolishness
The search was not satisfying. Matters could not be grasped.
Finding out how things really are is sorrowful business. There is a much mental pain that goes into getting wisdom.
It is important to note that wisdom is not being put down as useless. The author is carrying out his endeavor with wisdom. He will later commend it. However, it is not ultimately bringing satisfaction.
Transition: The phrase “That’s for me to know and you to find out,” is never a satisfactory answer. It is usually met with a sigh of disappointment. However, there are times when that limitation can be both frustrating and comforting. The one in the know may be witholding something he is eager to share or something he know would ultimately not benefit you.
Having introduced us to the nature of his quest regarding gain, the teacher/guide introduces us to the first test: Can a heart find gain and satisfaction in pleasure?
Pleasure fills but flees
Pleasure fills but flees
Have you ever experienced the following with the same few minutes?
(Ecstatically) Yea we won the championship! (Deflating) See you next season
(Ecstatically) That was the best vacation ever (Deflating) Call into work
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity.
He is putting his heart to the test to see how it will respond- enjoy good.
He first puts laughter to the test
I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”
No compliment is given to laughter here. It is seen as foolishness. Later in chapter 3, he will note that there is a time for laughter.
However laughter has limits
Ecclesiastes 7:3 speaks of sorrow being the better teacher. Proverbs 8:30 speaks of a rejoicing that is in the sons of men
Proverbs 14:13 speaks of the laughter that is but the cover up for sorrow.
It has limits in relationships- it cannot build relationships. A group of friends that merely hang around and share stories, share movie lines will have to move on to something real in order for the relationship to be built.
Proverbs 25:20 speaks of the aggravating affect that songs can have on a heavy heart.
Laughter is also perverted by fools who sin and joke about it. (Proverbs 10:23)
The next pleasure he seeks is from wine
I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Things noted about this test was his endeavor to see the pull or the enjoyment wine would have on his body. It is also note that he sought this with wisdom. He was seeking to be discerning about it.
He is seeking what is best for man to do in this short life under the sun.
He will speak later in the book regarding the enjoyment factor, and we know of other wisdom literature that speaks of the great negative effect of it.
He creates yet another pleasurable test for his heart with grand works for himself
I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
It is noted for its creativity and the emphasis of doing it for oneself. Worth is sought in one’s hand can make.
There is much beauty and good that is done through what man creates.
Men easily look to it as their salvation: Wallace Stevens gives an illustration of how he looked to the work of his hands in poetry as a replacement for God: ““After one has abandoned a belief in god, poetry is that essence which takes its place as life’s redemption.”
This test brings to light the paradise conditions that man tries to build. Grand efforts are like building massive “sand castles” by the sea. It is foolish to think such things are permanent. Grand works, like many of these quests are but diversions to keep us from thinking about our frailty.
Man creates, but many times use that creation to harm others.
He concludes his tests with pleasure by a massive accumulation
I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.
People and things are amassed for some kind of security (building barns in NT)
Having viewed this part of the quest could almost be like sitting at a retirement setting for a successful individual. He has his biography about his struggle and triumph. He has a part of the company or city named after him. You are inspired by his endeavor to make the best out of life. You are ready to go and get your copy of the book signed by him. However, before you get the book signed, listen to the teacher/guides conclusion about his pursuit of enjoyment and pleasure.
So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.
At first we don’t hear anything amiss. We are reminded again that the teacher/guide was endeavoring to be very discerning in his investigation.
At face value the endeavor seems to be carried out to its fullest, but upon a closer look we hear him speak of things in terms of limits. He pursuit was carried out within the limits of his desires.
There was enjoyment in his search; however as one author notes about this reality:
“To see our work with our eyes is the reward or gain we get. A man works all of his life with a company. He retires, receives a pen and a pat on the back. That moment of seeing the work is the best the work can offer. She makes jewelry and scarves, and markets them. She gets to see someone wear what she made. That moment of seeing is a wonderful gift but the only advantage that her labor can offer her. For this reason, affirmation and fame feel wonderful, but each is a gypsy—a wanderer who fidgets to leave as soon as it arrives. “ Eswine, Zack W.. Recovering Eden: The Gospel According to Ecclesiastes (Gospel According to the Old Testament Book 14) (pp. 74-75). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
The somewhat haunting refrain is then repeated: Everything is meaningless, elusive, and their is no advancement.
A wise quest does not always get satisfying answers
A wise quest does not always get satisfying answers
Pleasure fills but flees
Pleasure fills but flees
Transition: Having given us an introduction about limited understanding and the perplexing enigma of empty success, how would your rate your teacher/guide if he said in modern terms pull out your phones and give me a thumbs up or down about your experience thus far? While you are thinking on it, our guide teacher says “Let me speak of my quest for wisdom.”
Wisdom does not make masters
Wisdom does not make masters
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?— Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.
If I spoke to you of two contestants in a rope climbing contest. One strengthened his muscles through exercise, got a personal trainer, and practiced each day to improve his skill. The other thought he knew everything there was to know about rope climbing, and therefore did nothing to prepare. On the day of the contest the second individual furiously started hoisting himself up the rope but his grip gave way 10 seconds into the climb. The first individual took a deep breath, skillfully worked his way up the rope, rung the bell on top but then fell to the bottom with massive rope burns on his hands and legs. Which one was wiser?
The teacher speaks of his credentials with wisdom being unsurpassable.
In the words of proverbs, he commends wisdom over folly. The fool stumbles around in the darkness, but the wise knows how to navigate in life.
However, there is something that looms ahead for the wise and the foolish.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
The wise face death just like the foolish.
He will be forgotten just like the fool.
Two main thoughts about the advantage/response of wisdom and the limits of wisdom
Advantage: Picture of keeping wisdom on the court
“I hate this life,” he admits. But the response this kind of hatred promotes differs substantially from the other two. “I will oppose the life I hate with wisdom,” he seems to say. “Not because I will win in this world. I likely will not. But at least wisdom will remain on the court. At least folly will no longer offer the only game in town. At least those who watch the game will have an alternative set in front of them, and those who play and get hurt will have a way of healing still available to them.” In essence, the Preacher changes the purpose for playing the game. He calls us to question the motive by which we seek God and the world. For the Preacher, we do not play to win or to advance or to gain for ourselves. We play because of God and because of what such a relationship with God establishes.
Eswine, Zack W.. Recovering Eden: The Gospel According to Ecclesiastes (Gospel According to the Old Testament Book 14) (p. 93). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Limits of wisdom
Life is meant to be mastered. “Realizing this can help you deal with life in a way that honours God. For example, do not be surprised to find yourself in a frustrating situation from which you cannot escape by means of controlling it. Not everything can be fixed! Not everything is a problem to be solved. Some things must be borne, must be suffered and endured. Wisdom does not teach us how to master the world. It does not give us techniques for programming life such that life becomes orderly and predictable” .11 (Quoting Jeff Myers)
Gibson, David. Living Life Backward (p. 46). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Transition: Our teacher guide has one more noble quest that he wants to bring to our attention. It reminds me of a science bug project from the seventh grade. I gathered the bugs had them all laid out in a display for the next day of school, when I woke I found that another creature had found my project and had eaten some of the bugs from my project.
Hard work does not yield permanent results
Hard work does not yield permanent results
Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
Transition: So at this point we may be ready to give our teacher/guide a thumbs down on his presentation and call the journey a waste. Or did the futility of seeking gain from the things in this life actually teach us what life was all about. Unless we have this teacher as our guide, we may come to some accurate conclusions but a horrible response.
Possibly Give Negative Responses
Just because the watermelon is not to be commended for a dirty lake day game does not mean it is not to be enjoyed. Putting away the pursuit
Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
“The gift of God does not make this meaningless go away; the gift of God make this vanity enjoyable.”- Douglas Wilson
“The gift of God does not make this meaningless go away; the gift of God make this vanity enjoyable.”- Douglas Wilson