INSIGHTS INTO THE

MEANING OF LIFE

ECCLESIASTES 1:12-18

VANITY OF STRIVING AFTER WISDOM

INTRODUCTION

• Solomon is now going to begin to list the “vain things” for which men have sought

• By eliminating all of these “vanities” he will demonstrate that there is nothing on earth of real lasting value.

• Certainly a king would have the resources to research this topic—especially this king!

• God had given him the one thing he asked for WISDOM—who better to explain this vanity!

ECCLESIASTES 1:12

“I, the Preacher, was king over

Israel in Jerusalem."

INTRODUCTION

• “Over Israel” not just Judah shows the kingdom has not divided and Solomon is the author of the book

• Last king in the United Kingdom• Modern criticism, that has rejected

Solomon as the book’s author, has not brought forth sufficient and credible evidence to support their claim

ECCLESIASTES 1:13

“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."

ECCLESIASTES 1:14

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for

the wind."

“SET MY HEART…”

• Solomon uses his influence to seek wisdom and knowledge

• He will list a number of things as to being “vain”

• Here are the first six:– All works done by man (1:14)– Indulge in everything pleasurable (2:1)– All activities and labors—profitless

(2:11)– Striving for wisdom-(2:15)– The focus on earthly accomplishments

(2:21)– Overemphasis of life and living—(3:19)

“SET MY HEART…”

• When one proceeds to list all that man has accomplished, what will be found?

• Anything of value?• Solomon diligently set his mind upon

searching out things.• Nothing of any “supreme” good can

be found• High objectives—unsatisfactory

results• Look at his work as a means of

sustaining his family while on earth– Matthew 6:25-34

ECCLESIASTES 1:15

“What is crooked cannot be made

straight, and what is lacking cannot be

numbered."

ECCLESIASTES 1:16

“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."

ECCLESIASTES 1:17,18

“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."

“CANNOT BE STRAIGHTENED…”

• “Cannot be straightened”—It is futile to try and make straight that which has forever been crooked

• Always will be wants, problems, shortages, wars, inequality, etc.

• As long as the earth stands, these crooked and wanting conditions will be unavoidable!

• It is impossible to correct “evil” by trying to make it acceptable.

• Crooked is crooked!• Changing eternal truths—can’t correct

wrong!

SOLOMON’S POSITION

• He observed wisdom and knowledge• His position afforded him the opportunity

to witness much• Greatness—great estate, notoriety, etc• More wisdom—more than all before him• Understanding—he knew his

comprehension was excellent• Solomon’s account of himself—far

superior to all his predecessors• Solomon with all these unique

qualifications—still unable with human wisdom to unlock the key!

SOLOMON’S POSITION

• More wisdom only brings heartaches and sorrow

• Open to the alternatives—madness and folly

• Exposing lies about life– “By my diligent labor and toil, I will

someday be happy and satisfied” (1:8)– “Every day in every way our world is

better and better” (1:9-11)– “We can correct all the ills of the

world” (1:15)– Those who obtain much worldly

wisdom are the happiest people in this world” (1:18)

SOLOMON’S CONCLUSION• The world is so full of bad things

ignorance is bliss.• So much misery, so much pain, so

much vanity.• Plus, knowledge causes change and

change is painful….• Especially when you learn things that

force you to change from what you have become accustomed to or comfortable with

• The more man knows, the more he knows how little he really knows!

SOLOMON’S CONCLUSION• Solomon had great possessions and

wealth– 2 Chronicles 9:13-28

• Did great building projects…• Yet something was missing in his life…• All things which seem to bring

happiness, in the final accounting—fail!