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1st – No Purpose… vs. 1-3

  • 1st – The Preacher… vs. 1
    • Gathering together…
      • The words of the Preacher! 
      • The book was written by the PREACHER…
      • Unlike the NT [κηρύσσω] which emphasizes the MESSAGE…
      • PREACHER [קֹהֶלֶת] – focuses on the person who gathers people [קָהַל] to hear the WORD [דָּבָר]
      • Like a SUNDAY morning or MIDWEEK – someone who stands up to teach others the TRUTH!
    • King Solomon…
      • The son of David – king in Jerusalem!
      • This PREACHER does not give us his NAME [Solomon]
      • Instead he identifies himself in TWO ways…
      • FIRST – he tells us who his FATHER is – he is the SON [בֶּן] of David – II Samuel 12:24
      • SECOND – he tell us his POSITION – he is the KING [מֶלֶךְ] of Jerusalem…
      • Why not just give us his name – perhaps because his name means PEACE [שְׁלֹמֹה]
      • And the point of this book is we have NO peace [under the sun]!
      • I used to own a T-Shirt that said: NO Jesus – NO peace – KNOW Jesus – KNOW peace!
      • As we get into this book we are going to see POWERFULLY…
      • The ONLY way to have PEACE in this life – is in Jesus!
      • Ephesians 2:14 – “For He Himself is our peace.”
  • 2nd – All is Vanity… vs. 2
    • Vanity of vanities: says the Preacher. Vanity of vanities – all is vanity!
    • What does the PREACHER want us to know: everything [כָּל] is VANITY – FIVE times…
    • VANITY [הֶבֶל] – empty – to have no purpose…
    • Solomon will use this word a total of 38 times – in the 220 verses of the book…
    • The argument of Solomon is that EVERYTHING in this life has NO purpose…
    • He knows this because He tried EVERYTHING – and found NOTHING satisfied him!
    • The number one question on the hearts of all people: WHY are we here…
    • People want to know the meaning of LIFE…
    • Are we an accident – are we just here for a short time then gone forever…
    • Are we designed – is there some greater meaning to our existence!
    • What if the answer was – life has NO meaning…
    • This was the rather depressing conclusion of the WISEST man to ever live…
    • In the end NO matter what happens – our lives are VANITY!
  • 3rd – Under the sun… vs. 3
    • What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?
    • The PREACHER gives us one last KEY piece of information…
    • Arguing there is NO lasting REWARD for MEN [אָדָם] from all their HARD work [עָמָל]
    • Because he was looking for a REWARD – under the sun [on the earth]
    • If all we have is this LIFE – then there is no MEANING to our existence!
    • Although SOLOMON did know the name of God – I Kings 3:7
    • And does mention [אֱלֹהִים] God [generic name] some FORTY times…
    • It is worth noting he NEVER mentions the LORD [יְהוָה] in this book…
    • Which is why many believe this was written in his LATER years…
    • When he was backslidden – and had lost sight of the TRUE meaning of life…
    • Because our purpose was NEVER meant to be found UNDER the sun [on earth]!
    • The world is CONFUSED – they do NOT understand why we are here [meaning of life]
    • Their problem is they REFUSE to admit life has only ONE purpose …
    • We were created to KNOW our maker – it is about a relationship with Jesus – John 17:3
  • 2nd – The Evidence… vs. 4-11
    • 1st – Endless cycle… vs. 4-7
      • Generations… vs. 4
        • One generation passes away and another generation comes – but the earth abides forever!
        • To make his point SOLOMON gives us FOUR examples:
        • FRIST – people DIE – only for more people to be BORN…
        • But the earth just continues forever [עוֹלָם] – as if we were never here!
        • In 2023 there were 61 MILLION people who died…
        • But in the same year there were 134 MILLION babies born!
        • DEATH is a part of life – everyone of us will one day DIE…
        • But someone else will just be BORN and the whole process REPEATS…
        • Over and over again – the cycle of life – without ANY end in sight [under the sun]
      • The sun… vs. 5
        • The sun also rises and the sun goes down – and hastens to the place where it arose!
        • SECOND [sequential] – the SUN rises in the EAST – only the set again in the WEST…
        • But then it HURRIES back to the EAST so it can rise AGAIN!
        • One of the most revealing responses to the question: How are you?
        • Is the phrase: the same as yesterday [amo man sa gyapon]
        • We get up EVERY morning – and go to school to get an education…
        • So we can get up EVERY morning – and go to work to earn a living…
        • Until the days comes – when we NO longer get up anymore – and we DIE…
        • Which should make us stop and ask – WHY are we getting up every day!
      • The wind… vs. 6
        • The wind goes toward the south – and turns around to the north.
        • The wind whirls about continually – and comes again on its circuit!
        • THIRD – the WIND [רוּחַ] blows to the SOUTH – and then turns to the NORTH…
        • Interesting SOLOMON knew that if you go far enough SOUTH – you end up going NORTH…
        • But the WIND [רוּחַ] also just CIRCLES the earth [east to west]
        • It comes and it goes – only to do it all over AGAIN!
        • People think that the answer to life can be found in GEOGRAPHY…
        • If we could only live in CANADA – that would solve all our problems…
        • But then they get there and miss the PHILIPPINES – so they move back home!
        • The problem with GEOGRAPHY – is no matter where WE go – WE are still there…
        • Therefore WE bring our problems with us…
        • Which is why if we are NOT happy here – we will NOT be happy anywhere!
      • The water… vs. 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!
        • FOURTH – every [כָּל] river runs into the SEA [ocean]
        • Yet the oceans are NEVER [אִין] filled – their level never rises [sea level]
        • Because all the water goes back [evaporation] to where it started [rain cycle]!
        • When Jesus met the SAMARITAN woman at the well – he offered her WATER…
        • Not the WATER of this world – which only satisfies for a MOMENT…
        • But LIVING water – so she would NEVER thirst again – John 4:13-14
        • NOTHING in this world will ever be enough for us…
        • We can try to eat to be happy – but we will only be hungry the next day…
        • We can be pretty to be happy – but the new clothes will wear out and fade…
        • We can try to be rich to be happy – but there will always be something more to buy…
        • Because we were NOT created by God to be fulfilled by the things of this world…
        • And ONLY when we use our life for the purpose God intended for it…
        • Worshiping and getting to know our Lord – will we find we are satisfied!
    • 2nd – Not convinced… vs. 8
      • All things are full of labor. Man cannot express it.
      • The eye is not satisfied with seeing – nor the ear filled with hearing!
      • In spite of giving FOUR powerful examples from NATURE…
      • SOLOMON knew people would NOT believe life is VANITY…
      • He could use ALL [כָּל] his words [דָּבָר] – until he was TIRED [piel] of speaking…
      • And still we would want to SEE more evidence…
      • We would want to HEAR more proof – life has NO meaning [under the sun]
      • I am amazed at how BLINDLY the world follows VANITY…
      • No matter how many times people are told there are NO answer in this world…
      • They manage to CONVINCE ourselves there is HOPE [under the sun]
      • The world has a BLIND faith that somehow they will find meaning apart from God!
    • 3rd – Nothing new… vs. 9-10
      • Done before… vs. 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!
        • EVERYTHING that has ever happened [perfect] – will happen again [imperfect]
        • ANYTHING someone can do [niphal] – will be done again [imperfect]
        • There is NOTHING [אִין] new – it has ALL [כָּל] been done – under the sun!
        • Babies are born – learn to talk and walk – grow up…
        • They fall in love – start a family – grow old and die…
        • We are NOT unique – we are walking a well-worn path!
      • Ancient lie… vs. 10
        • Is there anything of which it may be said: See this is new?
        • It has already been in ancient times before us!
        • Do NOT listen to anyone who tells us to LOOK [imperative] at some NEW word [דָּבָר]
        • Because there it was already there [perfect] – a LONG time ago [לְעֹלָמִים]!
        • Our enemy likes to dangle the carrot in front of us…
        • He makes us think what he is offering is something NEW…
        • But it is the same LIE he gave to Eve in the Garden – Genesis 3:1
        • Satan is not creative – he just copies what has worked in the past…
        • Satan DECEIVED people in the past by telling them what they wanted to hear…
        • SINCE it worked before – that is what he continues to do today!
    • 4th – Forgotten… vs. 11
      • We forget…
        • There is no remembrance of former things!
        • We do NOT [אִין] remember the lives of those who came before us!
        • Did you even wonder what happens to cemeteries once they are filled…
        • After the THIRD generation – people no longer care [about 80 years]
        • And they are free to recycle the plot and use it again!
        • We have words for FATHER – GRAND father – and even GREAT grandfather…
        • But there is a good chance NONE of us can name anyone before that…
        • Because it is beyond our lifespan – and we NEVER met them…
        • Therefore we do NOT remember them – their lives are FORGOTTEN!
      • We are forgotten…
        • Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after!
        • In the same way we will be FORGOTTEN by those who come after us!
        • Once we are dead and buried we have about EIGHTY years…
        • And then NO one will remember our name – it will be like we NEVER existed…
        • If there is ONLY this life [under the sun] – it is all VANITY!
  • 3rd – No answers… vs. 12-18
    • 1st – The Burden… vs. 12-13
      • Rich King… vs. 12
        • I – the Preacher – was king over Israel in Jerusalem!
        • SOLOMON wrote this while he was [perfect] KING over Israel…
        • Meaning he had ALL the money and RESOURCES he could every want…
        • He was so wealthy that he received 666 TALENTS of gold EVERY year – I King 10:14
        • A TALENT is equivalent to roughly 35 kilos – so over 23 THOUSAND kilos of gold a year…
        • At current gold prices [$2600 per ounce] – that is 125 BILLION pesos EVERY year…
        • And as a SUPREME King [no checks or balances] – he could do ANYTHING with it he wanted!
      • The desire… vs. 13
        • I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven!
        • What SOLOMON wanted [לֵב] to do with all his POWER and WEALTH…
        • Was to find out – using WISDOM [חָכְמָה] – the meaning of life…
        • But do NOT miss – he was looking in the WRONG place – UNDER heaven [on earth]!
      • Evil task…  vs. 13
        • This burdensome task God has given to the sons of man by which they may be exercised!
        • This EVIL [רַע] task was [perfect] given by GOD [אֱלֹהִים] to the SONS of ADAM [אָדָם]
        • He gave it to MEN so that they might become HUMBLE [עָנָה]!
        • When God placed ADAM in the Garden – he had a PURPOSE…
        • He was to take CARE for Eden – and WALK with the LORD…
        • But when ADAM sinned – that purpose was LOST…
        • God cursed the LAND – and MAN was cast out from the presence of God – Genesis 3:17
        • Since that day the SONS of Adam [all of us] have been searching for what was LOST…
        • The hope of God is that we come to HUMBLY realize is that we need Him!
    • 2nd – Grasping… vs. 14-15
      • The wind…  vs. 14
        • I have seen all the works that are done under the sun.
        • Indeed – all is vanity and grasping for the wind!
        • SOLOMON had seen EVERYTHING [כָּל] – in this life [under the sun]
        • He did NOT leave any stone unturned – he tried it ALL…
        • And LOOK [הִנֵּה] the conclusion was same – it is all [כָּל] VANITY…
        • To find MEANING in this life – is like trying to CATCH the WIND [רוּחַ]
        • FIRST of NINE times SOLOMON will use this phrase in the book!
        • WIND is a funny thing – you can FEEL it – there is something there…
        • But no matter how many times we try – we will NEVER catch it!
        • Looking for answers in this life seems to make sense – there is something there…
        • If we have more money – it does make life easier…
        • If we have more things – it does make us happier… 
        • But no matter how many times we try and CATCH it – it seems to slip through our hands…
        • There is momentary relief – but no LASTING contentment!
      • No hope… vs. 15
        • What is crooked cannot be made straight – and what is lacking cannot be numbered!
        • Life is BROKEN [bent] – and there is NOTHING [imperfect] that can make it right [straight]
        • If we tried to COUNT what we are missing – there are NOT [imperfect] enough numbers!
        • We all know this in our hearts – there is a HOLE…
        • Life does NOT work – there is something very WRONG…
        • But the answer most people have to the PROBLEM – is they try and IGNORE it…
        • They do their best to drown it in alcohol – or distract it through things…
        • Yet the moment we stop and are quiet – the HOLE is still there – taunting us!
    • 3rd – No Wisdom… vs. 16-18
      • Great knowledge… vs. 16
        • I communed with my heart saying: Look I have attained greatness.
        • [I] have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 
        • My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge!
        • The FIRST place SOLOMON went to for answers was WISDOM [חָכְמָה]
        • He said to his [לֵב] HEART – I [אֲנִי] have become GREAT [גָּדוֹל]
        • He had more WISDOM than ANYONE [כָּל] before him in Jerusalem…
        • Therefore – his [לֵב] HEART [רָאָה] knew [hiphil] a lot [רָבָה] of WISDOM!
        • When Solomon became King after David – he felt like a lost little child…
        • He was being asked to rule a nation too numerous to count…
        • So – he asked for WISDOM – so he would be able to rule Israel well!
        • I Kings 3:9 – “Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge [שָׁפַט] Your people – that I may discern between good and evil.”
        • There are TWO kinds of WISDOM – James 3:13-18
        • If we want WORLDLY wisdom we go to school – and we will be taught…
        • But even the best educated – often lack WISDOM of God in their lives…
        • Because the WISDOM of God is not learned – it is a gift of the Spirit – I Corinthians 12:8
      • Madness… vs. 17
        • I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. 
        • I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind!
        • SOLOMON gave [sequential] his HEART [לֵב] to know [יָדַע] WISDOM…
        • But the more he KNEW [יָדַע] – the CRAZIER [הוֹלֵלָה] he became…
        • He saw just how FOOLISH [סָכַל] the pursuit of knowledge is – like trying to CATCH the WIND!
        • Solomon was the WISEST man to ever live…
        • But we do NOT know for sure if Solomon made it to heaven…
        • The Law commanded kings to NOT add money – women – horses – Deuteronomy 17:16-17
        • Solomon added all THREE – and they took his heart away from God – I Kings 11:4
        • There is HOPE – the end of the book of Ecclesiastes says to FEAR God – Ecclesiastes 12:13
        • But Solomon is notably MISSING in the Hall of Faith – Hebrews 11
        • It is NOT enough to have the WISDOM of the LORD…
        • We could memorize the whole Bible – have ALL knowledge…
        • But if we are NOT putting it into practice – KNOWLEDGE cannot SAVE us!
        • Matthew 7:24 – “Whoever hears these [proverbs] of Mine – and DOES them – I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
      • Great grief… vs. 18
        • For in much wisdom is much grief – and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow!
        • Because [כִּי] in much [רֹב] WISDOM – there is much [רֹב] grief…
        • The more he KNEW [דַּעַת] – the more he it PAINED [מַכְאֹב] him!
        • Ask the most educated people in the world today – about their KNOWLEDGE…
        • And they can wax eloquent for hours – regurgitating facts…
        • Ask them about the meaning of life – and they will become soberly quiet!
        • II Timothy 3:7 – “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
        • The problem with looking to KNOWLEDGE [education] as an ANSWER…
        • Is that it assumes KNOWLEDGE itself is the solution [not a means to an end]
        • Which is why those who SEEK wisdom – but DENY the creator…
        • Will end be able to give a sufficient answer to the question…
        • Because as long as we are looking UNDER the sun – there is NONE!


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