Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, To Whom God Gives

 Ecclesiastes 2:26 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.

As Henry Morris points out, the preacher never refers to God as Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God and redeemer. No, He is known as Elohim, the Creator of the universe and mankind’s maker. Saved or unsaved, sinner or saint, God reigns over His creation, and every soul no matter their eternal state, is answerable to Him. This is Elohim, the Creator God of Genesis, before He reveals His covenant name through Moses to Israel prior to the Exodus.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Enjoying The Moment

 Ecclesiastes 2:24 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. [25] For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

The preacher resorts to the commendation of enjoying what one is engrossed in to derive gratification. Labor is satisfactory when it yields pleasing results, or results the laborer intended or foresaw and then brought to pass. A meal is best enjoyed to gratify genuine hunger, especially after laboring successfully in whatever endeavor man applies himself to.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, What Is Gained?

Ecclesiastes 2:22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? [23] For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

This accusation is a broad stroke involving not just human vocation, but every work man does under Heaven. The idea then involves our work, pastimes, hobbies, thoughts, family time, et al. The effort we expend in our many pursuits great or small are encompassed by this indictment.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Anger Turns To Despair

Ecclesiastes 2:20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. [21] 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.

The preacher is focusing on inheritance, succession, and generational dissonance. By generational dissonance, I simply mean the disconnect one generation feels when viewing the younger generation destined to succeed them. This has been the preacher’s line of thought since Ecclesiastes 2:12.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Mounting Frustration

Ecclesiastes 2:17 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. [18] 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. [19] And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I have toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Verse 17 begins with the grapes souring on the vine. The payoff in this verse can be traced back to verse 14, where the preacher commends the wisdom of the wise man, because he walks with his eyes in front of his head. The fool, however, stumbles in darkness, but despite this difference a singular, glaring similarity makes praise die on the preacher’s tongue.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Questioning Wisdom's Value

Ecclesiastes 2:15 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.” [16] For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!

The preacher refers to himself in the first person here, contrasting his mental acumen to that of the infamous fool. He was wise; other men were fools. Yet both wise and foolish perish. The foolish lived, well, foolishly. But it did not benefit them, or hinder them, any more than the wise man who practiced his wisdom and walked with his eyes in his head.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, One Fateful Event

Ecclesiastes 2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. [14] The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I perceived that the same event happens to them all.

The preacher makes a very great confession in this passage that reveals in not so many words the crux of his burden. He begins well, admitting that wisdom is better than folly. To practice folly of course is to play the fool. We read in Proverbs, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him,” Proverbs 26:4. Conversely, it is also written, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes,” Proverbs 26:5.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Changing Of The Guard

Ecclesiastes 2:12 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.

The consideration of the preacher settles on a particular topic: his reign. The preacher was the wisest, richest, most powerful king in Jerusalem that ever was, and by God’s admission, would ever be, outside the of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verses 10 and 11 he contemplated materialism and hedonism, and how he did gain superficial pleasure or a sense of accomplishment when he reflected on what he had done.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, The Failure Of Accomplishment

Ecclesiastes 2:10 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. [11] 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.

The preacher ventures into what may be categorized as rampant hedonism at this point. Oxford defines hedonism as, “behavior based on the belief that pleasure is the most important thing in life.” There is a modern American saying in our popular culture, “if it feels good, do it.” Or more to quote the musical artist Leon Bridges’ song title, “If it feels good (Then it must be).”

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Kings Among Kings

Ecclesiastes 2:8 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. [9] So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

The list of accomplishments and accolades continues. At this point, and at this pace it is really more of an onslaught as the preacher boasts, as Paul once foolishly boasted, in the accomplishments of the flesh. The pinnacle of human grandeur and achievement is touted in the preacher’s person, who, for the third time in this book, claims that he is greater than all who were in Jerusalem before him.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Acquisition

Ecclesiastes 2:4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. [5] I made myself gardens, and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. [6] I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. [7] I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.

The first item to note in this passage is the plural. Everything the preacher makes mention of is in plural. His works are plural. His houses and vineyards, gardens, orchards and fruit trees, servants and flocks are plural. The man did nothing half way and denied himself nothing, see Ecclesiastes 2:10.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, The Question Of Alcohol

Ecclesiastes 2:3 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.

The Tanakh renders the opening of this verse, “I ventured to tempt my flesh with wine, and to grasp folly, while letting my mind direct with wisdom.” The NIV translates the verse’s opening as, “I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom.” The preacher is looking to use an intoxicant to, as he states it, “gratify my flesh.” 

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Testing Mirth

Ecclesiastes 2:2 I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”

Remember, the preacher’s first objective was to test the path of pleasure through wisdom. He already deemed the entire affair to be vanity, but he presses on. First, he focuses on laughter.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two, Pursuing Pleasure

Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity.

The Hebrew term for “mirth” is “simchah,” and means, “blithesomeness or glee.” Furthermore it is explained that the term is both an external expression for joy, and the representation of the abstract feeling or concept of joy. Synonyms for joy include happiness, delight, or pleasure.

Molehills: The Ecumenical Movement

Oxford defines “ecumenism” as, “the aim of promoting unity among the world’s Christian Churches.” A surface inspection suggests that this is a noble, admirable goal. After all, Scripture states that Christians should endeavor, “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” Ephesians 4:3. Psalm 133, which I could quote in its entirety regarding the topic, says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Wisdom's Burden

Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

The preacher here states that the truly wise are likewise genuinely burdened. To be wise and to acquire knowledge makes one aware and accountable. If you know, and do not act, it is evil. Even the secular saying, alleged to have been spoken by Edward Burke, agrees with this. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing.” To be “good” posits the requisite knowledge that we are self-aware of evil’s corruption in human lives, disagree with evil’s worldview, and being thusly aware, choose to disregard said knowledge.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Wisdom, Madness, & Folly

Ecclesiastes 1:17 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 preacher determines to know three things at the outset: he wishes to know wisdom first and foremost. The foundational wisdom the prudent Hebrew subscribed to was written in Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” Proverbs 9:10.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Credentials

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.”

The preacher introspects, considering the credentials he has for scrutinizing the monumental task set before him. He is mustering confidence by attributing to himself greatness. He extols his efforts, counseling himself to “look,” on what he is and has accomplished. If there was a man under Heaven that could unravel this cosmic mystery and shed light on human purpose under the sun, it is feasible that he is such a man.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, The Absence Of Merit

Ecclesiastes 1:15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered.

The present verse has the preacher phrasing verse 14 differently. In the previous verse, the preacher states how he witnessed all things done under the sun, that is, the work God has given to mankind. Furthermore, he notes the utter futility of it all. It is tantamount to grasping after the wind, which is an excellent depiction of an impossible task.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Beholding Futility

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. [14] I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

The preacher sets out to determine whether what is done under Heaven has purpose of itself. In his own words, he set his heart to diligently seek out an answer; the compound descriptor emphasizing the sobriety and gravity of the seeker’s intention and effort. More than that, the preacher sought these things by wisdom.

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By the grace of God and the diligence of my devoted wife and her artistic skills (she creates the covers for my fantasy fiction), The Canticles of Andurun Book 5: Ascent of Shadows is available starting today on Amazon! I am so pleased and feel very blessed to be able to finally move forward with my fiction series! The novel is available in soft cover and Kindle versions, and I am presently hoping that the sixth volume in the series can be out by January next year. God bless!

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Who Is The Preacher?

Ecclesiastes 1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Verse 12 clearly gives a strong indictment as to the identity of the preacher. The writer does not identify himself with northern Samaria or southern Judah, as they would become in the wake of the rebellion Jeroboam led against Rehoboam after his accession to the throne. No, only three men qualify for a united Israel from the throne of Jerusalem. Saul is disqualified simply because we are informed that the preacher is king over Israel from Jerusalem, a city that David took from the Jebusites during his reign, 2 Samuel 5:6-9. We read, “In Hebron [David] reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years over all Israel and Judah,” 2 Samuel 2:5:5.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Old & Forgotten

Ecclesiastes 1:10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. [11] There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who come after.

Amazingly, these first 11 verses form a sort of primer for the weightier material the preacher is about to examine and give his insight on. One may say that this introduction was a sweeping overview of the issue (the purpose for man’s labor) and his rebuttal to an argument for purpose under the sun: there isn’t one. Not one that is universal and absolutely satisfies the craving eyes and ears of humanity.

Prayer Request For Joanne

Good evening all. I would like to bring this matter before my readership and request that prayer and supplication are made on behalf of Joanne, the grandmother of one of my employees. My employee came to work today with the distressing news that his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Vain Repetition

Ecclesiastes 1:9 That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Verse 9 solidifies the former passage, summarizing the preacher’s observations about life under the sun. Anything formerly experienced by preceding generations will be “what is new” for the generations that follow, typifying the old saying that there are no new things, only old things happening to new people.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Filled With Labor

Ecclesiastes 1:8 All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Verse 8 is the culmination of the previous four verses. In fact, verse 3 actually begins a rhetorical question that is nonetheless explored in the following five verses, finishing with verse 8.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Circular Nature

Ecclesiastes 1:6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. [7] All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.

While these verses are not meant to specifically be scientifically accurate statements as we would construe such things in modernity, yet they do aptly describe the weather system and hydration. The winds the preacher refers to constitute a global circulation that does indeed form what the preacher referred to as a “circuit.” The hydrological cycle, discovered and proven in modern times, reveals that the rivers receive their hydration from oceanic evaporation, thus creating a cyclical nature of rainfall.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Rise & Fall

Ecclesiastes 1:5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose.

The book of Ecclesiastes is found in the Tanakh, the Jewish Bible, in the collection of the writings, or the Kethuvim. To be specific, the Jewish Bible is comprised of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. Amongst the writings may be found poetic narratives such as the Psalms, Song of Songs, or Lamentations. There are also historical writings in the form of Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah and 1 and 2 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles in the Tanakh is the book of 1 and 2 Kings in the Christian Bible.

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Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Assembly Line

Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

There are a few sayings in our day and age that catch a little of the spirit of what the preacher relates. One is, “All things old are new again.” The other is, “all news is old news happening to new people.” Rest assured, the preacher deals with the concept of a new generation supplanting the former, and the thoughts and feelings attached to such a cyclical ceremony.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Profit & Loss

Ecclesiastes 1:3 “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?

Take note that “vanity,” or, “all is vanity,” is intrinsically linked to the next phrase revealed by the preacher in verse 3, “under the sun.” If I may be so bold as to paraphrase the saying, I would render it akin to, “from man’s perspective, “ or, “if man is the measure of all things.” Neither flow nearly as well, but we may easily concede the point the preacher is making with his phrase.