Ecclesiastes Part 04
Solomon continues his observations about life and wonders why someone would work so hard when ultimately it all ends up in the same place: the grave.
We continue Solomon’s observations in Ecclesiastes 2:
“So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity (verse 15).’”
In the previous verse, Solomon acknowledged that it is better to be wise than foolish, but he notes that everyone dies, both wise and foolish! If both are forgotten in ages to come, what is the point? This was frustrating and depressing for Solomon to think about.
The Holman Old Testament Commentary notes: “If it is true that death will overtake both the fool and the wise, what is the point of trying so hard to be good? This question occurs to many ‘good people’ who quit trying to be good and decide to go wild by engaging in reckless and destructive behavior. Others pride themselves on continuing to be ‘good’ and conclude erroneously that dependence on God is not necessary [or they hold to it only superficially]. The reality of death arrests both these types of ‘good people’ from thinking that their own efforts will bring them lasting fulfillment apart from God” and His redemption (Moore, note on Ecclesiastes 2:15).
With the stark awareness that his grand quest for wisdom was vanity and grasping for the wind, Solomon came to hate this life. It was distressing to him, for there was no escaping this realization (verse 17).
“Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.”
And what of his great accomplishments and acquisitions? He came to hate these too because it all seemed pointless. Death would force him to pass these on to others (verse 18). Solomon finds no satisfaction in bequeathing a legacy, for there is no way of knowing whether his legacy will be perpetuated or squandered (verse 19). But more fundamentally, he finds it frustrating that a person who works so hard for something cannot continue enjoying it but must pass it on to others who have not worked for it at all (verse 21).
Not only did Solomon’s impressive intellect, vast wealth and great work not lead him to happiness, they actually led him to despair and days of sorrow and fretful nights (verse 23). Solomon’s description of sinking into hopelessness and depression pulls the reader down with him. In verse 22 he essentially repeats his opening question of Ecclesiastes 1:3—what gain is there for all man’s efforts under the sun? All seems so utterly pointless. Only now, at this lowest, bleakest point, is he ready to begin presenting the solution to this dark and seemingly unsolvable dilemma. He had been striving of his own accord to essentially force meaning and happiness from life. But it does not work that way. Rather, Solomon at last comes to see that we must embrace the enjoyment in everyday life, realizing that it is from the hand of God (verse 24).
The proper perspective here is realizing our total dependence on God, not just for gifts to enjoy but the ability to genuinely enjoy them and be content. God gives people the power to enjoy what He gives (see Ecclesiastes 5:19).
Ecclesiastes 2:26 makes clear that God’s gifts are intended for those who are good in His sight. A broader scriptural overview reveals that these are the upright people who follow God’s ways (in line with the directive given at the end of Ecclesiastes). And the whole Bible also reveals that any goodness in man is not his own but is from God. Those who are upright are so because God has redeemed them and empowered them to obey Him. If they persist in His ways, He blesses them yet further. It is stated here that He rewards them with wisdom, knowledge and joy. This is different from Solomon’s earlier statement about human beings searching out wisdom being a burdensome task given to them by God (Ecclesiastes 1:13). That referred to human learning by experimentation, observation and learning lessons the hard way. In the present statement of Ecclesiastes 2:26 Solomon points to the blessing of learning from God His wisdom and truth, including how to live and how to be happy.
Solomon the Preacher is advocating the life of faith, which does not understand everything but looks for the hand of God in the events of daily life. A useful parallel is 1 Timothy 6:6–19, with its reminder that we are to be content with food and clothing, realizing that God gives us richly everything to enjoy.
Solomon follows in verse 26 with a warning against living contrary to God as a sinner—the first time he addresses this matter, but it becomes an important theme through the rest of the book. This should dispel the notion that the message of the book is that we should cast off moral restraints and hedonistically pursue whatever we want. Unlike that of the righteous, the sinner’s burden of trying to find fulfillment in life is unrelieved. Moreover, any apparent success of the wicked is only temporary—as all they gather and collect will ultimately go to the righteous.
Wisdom Literature is a course taught at ABC by Dr. Urwiller. Recordings from the 2018–2019 class year are available to listen to on the ABC website.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships, and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
