Wisdom and Folly
Ecclesiastes: Everything Matters • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Chapter 6 is a continuation of Solomon’d finding pertaining to the hoarding of riches and wealth.
Recap:
Recap:
Last week we saw that Solomon actually gave some good advice pertaining to how to worship God. Fruitful and acceptable worship begins before it begins.
Reverent Worship is needed.
Worship is about listening much and saying little.
Worship is about giving.
David buying the land for the temple.
24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
We will be finishing up the train of thought Solomon started in chapter 5 dealing with wealth. Family the love of money can never satisfy, because wealth cannot buy contentment.
vv 1-6) The weakness of wealth
vv 1-6) The weakness of wealth
A byproduct of searching for answers without the influence of our heavenly father is that we get things twisted. Solomon finds that there is a great evil under the sun… To have been given great wealth but isn’t able to enjoy it.
Notice that Solomon is blaming God for depriving him of the enjoyment of this wealth. The premature death robs this man of the power to enjoy his riches. leaving not to a relative, but a stranger.
We too might be tempted to think that there is such a things as premature death. But that simply isn’t true. God being who He is- God has given men only so many days on this earth.
The only way to truly live the best life is when we live life for Him. Again this is because we are created beings created to worship God. Mankind was created to worship God. Meaning we will be satisfied when we are doing what we were created to do.
Another lesson we should take note of is the fact that other’s can take our wealth. If we are unable to hold onto the material things in life, why store our treasure there?
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
[3] Solomon probably having over a hundred kids could speak from experience. He know that a man could have all the outward signs of a good life- but still not be satisfied with life’s good things.
In OT terms having children by the score, and many years of life were the things men dreamt of. But here the person would still depart unnoticed, unlamented, and unfulfilled.
15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
The preacher say a very bitter statement at the end of verse 3: “I say that a still born child is better off than he.” We would expect this kind of statement to be found about someone who had suffered a lot, like Job (Job 3).
Yet, Solomon- with all his blessings and advantages- felt and knew the same despair of life as Job had. Life seemed so meaningless that he felt it would be better if he had never been born.
Better to miscarry at birth than to miscarry throughout life. In correlation of a person who died unburied, despised and unmourned for.
[4-5] Though the stillborn child never see the sun or get to know anything, nevertheless he enjoys more rest than a person who hoards wealth. Because they will never experience the maddening perversities of life.
[6] Another point Solomon makes, is that the stillborn child- as tragic as it is- is better off than the man who knows the crushing disappointment of the realization of meaninglessness.
In Solomon’s search he concludes many times thus far that everything is meaningless. And at the end of verse 6 He writes that all go to one place… He is speaking about the grave:
20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Better to die young than to live life find out its all meaningless. Because both will inevitable end in grave.
Depressing right? But this is the conclusion that millions of people. We see this in our society. Because apart from God the only advice is to learn contentment in a meaningless world.
Again this is the way that God designed it all. That apart from Him there is no meaning to life. Solomon is looking at all of the solutions except the one that really matters, the divine revelation that is given to men through the Word of God.
vv 7-12) What good is it?
vv 7-12) What good is it?
Man works for the very bread he eats, yet does not satisfy his soul. The more his income rises, the more he want to buy. Contentment is the carrot on the stick that forever eludes him.
Solomon senses what Moses had already said and Jesus later repeated:
3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
4 But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
[8] In man’s futile quest, the wise person doesn’t have any advantage over the fool. And even if a poor man knows how to face life better than the rest of the people, he isn’t any further ahead.
Wisdom itself cannot fill a hungry man’s stomach. Both the wise and foolish get hungry.
The necessity of life are the same for both, their condition is nearly the same; both are liable to the same diseases, dissolution, and death.
[9] Solomon knew that in a world of such uncertainty and absence of meaning, that what one can actually see is always better than what one merely desires.
“The grass is greener on the other side”
According to Solomon if you have grass on your side of the fence stay their because you are certain of having something.
[10-11] What Solomon is saying here is that whatever has come… meaning rich or poor, wise or foolish, old or young all share the name of man or mankind. Giving us insight into a fatalistic view Solomon had of God’s sovereignty.
That which one you might be, that is what God named you. Not giving any regard to the sinful nature of man but puts the full blame on God.
I believe unknowingly to Solomon, he had a serious problem with God. Sure if someone is stronger then you, you cannot content with them. You can sense Solomon’s frustration is really over the fact that man is man, God is God, and man can never content or dispute with the One who is stronger
[[example]] Some believe facing God, they will tell Him whats up.
phil 2:10-11
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
[12] Solomon does not know what happens after death. Despite all of his wisdom, research, and ventures he has no idea what will come after him.
What Solomon says here is true if we are to look at it with his under the sun premise… The truth of the statement itself must be evaluated according to the rest of the Bible.
For us believers because of the New Covenant through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Ch 7 vv 1-14) Looking at life through better and worse
Ch 7 vv 1-14) Looking at life through better and worse
Solomon’s sour conclusion in chapter 6 was that man cannot determine what is best for him under the sun. But Solomon does have some ideas as to some things that are good and others that are better. That is his subject in chapter 7.
Interesting side note: Good and better together occur here more times than in any other chapter in the Bible.
[1] A good name is better than precious ointment: A good name signifies a good character. The thought is that the most expensive perfumes cannot take the place of an honorable life.
The day of death… This statement has left many puzzled. Does he mean this as a general statement or does this only apply to the man with a good name.
Nothing in the first half of the verse 1 prepares us for the body-blow of the second half.
The verses which follow (v.2 and v.4) indicate that the day of death refers not to one’s own passing but rather to that of another.
The likely idea is that bereavement, while painful, is more effective prod to growth in wisdom and maturity than the elation one feels over a newborn.
For the believer this is doubly true. For the Christian We rejoice when a brother or sister enters into the glory of (the Lord) their Lord and Savior. But it is certainly not true of those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord.
[2] Better to go to a funeral home than to go to Golden Corral. Death is the end of all mankind, and when we come face to face with it, we are brought up short and forced to think about our own departure.
Everyone must take into account that you will die. And what Solomon is suggesting is that each person should have a philosophy of life which allows them to confidently face that inevitable appointment.
This is where the Gospel comes in… Showing us that we are accountable to God for He created us. The bad news is that we have sinned against Him incurring His righteous wrath. The Good News is that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sin, through His death and resurrection all those who call upon Him might have life everlasting.
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Solomon couldn’t comprehend, even with all of his wisdom, the plan orchestrated by God to save men. Though they might fear death they would not be slaves to the fear of death.
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Death is the end of dying. On the day of the believer’s death dying is for ever done with. The saints who are with God shall never die any more. Life is wrestling, struggling; but death is the end of conflict: it is rest-victory” - Spurgeon
[3] Solomon’s point is that seriousness accomplishes more than laughter and a good mood. It sharpens the mind to grapple with the great issues of life, whereas being in good spirits prevents people from coming to grips with what is important.
One of the great mysteries of life is the paradox of joy and sorrow coexisting. There are even heathen philosophers that have attributed a therapeutic value to suffering and sadness.
This is somewhat true for unbelievers it is more gloriously true for the child of God.
Sorrows and Sufferings:
Sorrows and sufferings now develops grace in our lives.
Sorrows and sufferings gives us new appreciation for what Christ went through.
Sorrows and suffering allow us to comfort others who experience similar trials.
Sorrows and sufferings are a pledge of future glory: Romans 8:17
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
[5] Continuing from the previous thought, man finds wisdom in adversity and suffering than in ease and comfort.
Constructive criticism instructs, corrects, and warns. The laughter of the fool is nothing more than a momentary sound, leaving nothing of substance behind.
[6] Showy and noisy but not productive. Burning thorns may snap, crackle, and pop, but they don’t make a good fuel. Little heart is generated, and the fire goes out quickly.
[7] Oppression here refers to extortion or blackmail:
4 if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found
Meaning a wise person acts foolishly when they becomes a cheating oppressor. They become power-hungry and lose their sense of balance and restraint.
[8] It seemed to Solomon that the end of a thing is better than its beginning. Finishing a project is more important then the beginning.
It doesn’t take much insight to realize that the rule doesn’t always hold. The end of the righteous is better than the beginning, yet the end of the lost sinner is worse.
Righteous then the wicked:
12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Solomon is also on firmer ground when he said, “And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Patience is an attractive virtue, whereas pride is the parent of sin. Patience fits a man for God’s approval:
Romans 5:4 (ESV)
4 and endurance (Patience) produces character, and character produces hope,
Where again pride fits man for destruction:
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
[9] Next we are warned against the tendency to fly off the handle. Lack of self-control reveals a decided weakness of character.
Someone has said that you can judge the size of a man by the size of what it take to make him lose his temper.
Family if we are to nurse grudges and resentments, we expose ourselves as fools.
Another foolish activity to avoid is living in the past. When we constantly harp on “the good old days” and wish we could return because they were so much better, we are living in a world of unreality.
Better to face condition as they are and live triumphantly in spite of them. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
[11-12] With Solomon’s premise in mind, again the best kind of life is found with wisdom and money. This wisdom-called also the advantage of knowledge in verse 12 - gives whatever life can be had in an under the sun world.
[13] One thing a wise person will do is to consider God’s sovereign control of things. If God made something crooked who in their right mind could straighten it?
The idea is that no one can successfully countermand His will. His decrees are immutable and not subject to human manipulation.
There is no standing before a lion, no hoisting up a sail in a hurricane, and absolutely no contenting with the almighty.
Unfortunately Solomon misses the point
[[Example]] How He Loves
I thought about You
The day Stephen died
And you met me between my breaking
I know that I still love you God
Despite the agony
See people they want to tell me you’re cruel
But if Stephen could sing
He’d say it’s not true
Cause you’re good
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Verse 1
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back no turning back
Verse 2
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
No turning back no turning back
Verse 3
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back no turning back
Ending
No turning back
No turning back
No turning back
No turning back