Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-4
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow (Eccl. 1:16-18).
If we view the Book of Proverbs as a roadmap of godly wisdom designed to help us navigate the path of life laid out by the Word of God, then we must view the Book of Ecclesiastes as the corresponding warning signs along the way. Solomon was a man in his prime when he recorded his proverbs for posterity, secure in the truth of his words and confident that a favorable outcome awaited any who would humbly heed his advice. By the time Solomon penned the book of Ecclesiastes, he was an old man, and all his illusions of self-competence had fallen away.
Solomon had been granted a most precious gift from God, but now, after having spent a lifetime searching for satisfaction through wealth, women, and possessions, he shamefully realized that he had squandered it. He had used God’s wisdom to rule over the people of Israel effectively, but he had never truly applied that wisdom in a godly manner to his own life. Instead, Solomon had sought knowledge for knowledge’s sake and had reveled in the pride of his own accomplishments. As he reached the end of his life, he real- ized just how much of a mistake he had made.
Before Solomon’s ascension to the throne, David had counseled him: I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself (I Kings 1:2-3). If Solomon had taken those words to heart, he would have had no reason for regret at life’s end. Unfortunately, Solomon never mastered putting God first. For the entirety of his adult life, Solomon sought his own pleasures. I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour (Eccl. 2:8-10). Ultimately, he realized that his pursuits had been nothing but madness and folly. The Book of Ecclesiastes, then, is written not to instruct but to issue a clear and straightforward warning. Only with God at the center will our lives have meaning. If we are unwilling to seek the kingdom of God, then there is no point in attempting to do anything else.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you(Matt. 6:33).
Thought for Today: Do our worldly pursuits keep us productive, or do they merely keep us busy? The difference between the two is how much participation we allow God in the activity.
Christ Revealed: As God, the true Source of wisdom, and knowledge, and joy – the One who truly satisfies (Eccl. 2:26). We have the mind of Christ which is wisdom, knowledge, and joy (I Cor. 2:16; see also Luke 21:15; John 15:11; Rom. 15:14).
Word Studies: 1:13 sore travail = grievous task; 1:17 madness and folly = the ways of the foolish; vexation of spirit = very unsatisfying; grasping after the wind; 2:21 in equity = with skill; portion = inheritance.
Pray for Staff: Ryan McCrary • Country: Turks and Caicos Islands (49,070) North Atlantic Ocean • Major Language: English • Limited Religious Freedom • 72.8% Protestant; 11.4% Roman Catholic; 1.8% Jehovah's Witness; 14% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that God will keep you from speaking evil (Ps. 34:13).
Optional Reading:Hebrews 5