Lesson 6
Ecclesiastes
The Things That Don't
Work!
2:4-6 The experiment with great
building projects
NOTE:
In vs:4-10 there appears 8 times the word liy yli which translated is for myself and expresses ones own personal interest.
2:4 I enlarged my works: Having seen that the pursuit of pleasure did give him what
he was looking for he now rolls up his sleeves so to speak and turns to
architecture and building for the satisfaction that he was seeking.
I built houses for myself, - the most famous of which is the
great lodge or retreat he built in the
I planted vineyards for
myself; - he took up horticulture also
2:5 I made
gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;
- fruit trees not for the fruit
as much as the esthetics of the scented blossoms in the spring.
- During the hot summer, the gardens would provide a
refuge from the stifling heat.
2:6 I made
ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.
- was
common to construct great pools or reservoirs to retain what
rainfall they had in the rainy season for use later.
All
these things didn't provide him what he was looking for in his running from
truth and a relationship with God so he quickly moved on to something else.
2:7-10 Experiments with possessions and prosperity
2:7 I
bought male and female slaves - such a huge establishment that he had, with all his
holdings, would need many support staff - since this is a period of peace he
had to purchase the slaves needed.
and I had homeborn slaves. ytiyBe-!b,, those born to the slaves in his house.
-
Known
for their great loyalty; Abe had many of these Gen
Also I possessed flocks and
herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.
- Flocks and herds were one of the main ways of
determining one's wealth in the
2:8 He took up collecting things
Also, I collected for myself
silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces.
- Queen of
and the pleasures of men-- many concubines.
- LIT. the pleasures of
the sons of man. (~d'a' emph on source fallen man functioning
under the sin nature)
- sheddah sheddot (sg + pl)
princess/wife/queen & princesses = secondary wives (distinct from
concubines who had legal status 1 Kg 11:3)
- Many of his wives were like the wife who was the
daughter of the Pharaoh (1 Kg 3:1) (married to cement an alliance)
- What Solomon did here in marrying many women even taking
concubines was the custom, the pattern of the day. It was almost a status symbol, the richer one was the more wives he had.
- But it was clearly not Biblical - God's design for man
and especially for the King Dt
The
statement here that Solomon now turned to the pleasures of the sons of man says
that Solomon gave himself to every sexual pleasure and gratification with all
these women, the experiment showing once for all to mankind that sex, even in
its ultimate sensual expression is not the answer to an empty life as most
would imagine.
2:9 He begins to summarize
Then I became
great and increased
more than all who preceded me in
-
Make no mistake - THIS INCREASED PROSPERITY IS NOT FROM GOD
- Rem: he's reporting on the time when he was clearly
operating out of fellowship with God.
That is "UNDER
THE SUN"
My wisdom also stood by me. Through all his pursuits he did not loose his
sanity.
** The human viewpoint deception is operative here: If one has all the wealth and great wisdom
and the opportunity to pursue whatever they desire they conclude this will make
one happy and satisfied.
- any impulse he had he pursued it - had no limitations, no
restraints
- He acknowledges here that there was and is good feeling
from these pursuits. There was a reward
a joy in his accomplishments
He
carefully weighed all the things he had accomplished - building projects - gardens all the
entertainment pursuits - the pursuits of sensual pleasure with all his
princesses - increasing of his wealth by collecting gold/silver in tribute paid
to him.
which my hands had done (only looking at himself no one
else) and the labor which I had exerted, (toil, sweat, energy expended in the doing)
and behold (hinneh says pay attention) all was vanity (hebel) and striving after wind (
- no profit - no yitron (1:3) there is no advantage - nothing left after the
transaction
Many
people appear to be stable, to have it all together and are successful but who
are inside in turmoil, dreadfully frustrated!
3
Things mark his conclusions:
#1 - they're all hebel - empty -
worthless futile
#2 - their chasing after the wind - you've as much
prospect of attaining your objectives as catching the wind
#3 - There was no profit - no advantage under the sun.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. We live in a time when it seems that the predominate
philosophy motivating people is, if I could just earn enough money to buy into
my dream, that would
do it, I would be happy - satisfied!
2. Solomon very strongly says - don't bother - it doesn't
do it, it's fleeting at best!!
3. Only that which is eternal - above the sun will provide
the satisfaction that the real you, your soul is seeking.
4. Sensual pleasures hold out great promises but lack
staying power!
5. Sensual pleasures offer to open our eyes - open us to
new exciting worlds, but in reality they end up blinding us.
6. Sensual pleasures disillusion us, making us cover-up
artists.
- Its so easy to forget that there is a flip side to the
If it feels good do it mentality which is neither attractive nor satisfying.
7. The only light at the end of the tunnel is a
relationship with Jesus Christ and living the CWOL.