1^st – No Purpose… vs. 1-3

• 1^st – 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.”
• 2^nd – 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!
• 3^rd – 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

• 2^nd – The Evidence… vs. 4-11
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!
  • 4^th – 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!

• 3^rd – No answers… vs. 12-18
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!