Eclesiastes 2

Eclesiastes 2

Henry points out that the queen came a long way yet Christ is in our midst. She had no invitation but we are invited to sit at Jesus' feet. Solomon had wisdom from God, but Christ is the wisdom of God. The queen could only learn wisdom from Solomon, but Christ can give wisdom to all who ask for it. Henry concludes that if we do not receive Christ's wisdom, then the Queen of Sheba will rise up in judgment against us, "for Jesus is greater than Solomon." With that statement our journey ends where life begins—with Jesus Christ. Lord God, forgive me for looking anywhere else for satisfaction. May m y c r y always be, Only Jesus and Jesus only! Amen. SHINING THE LIGHT How is Jesus greater than Solomon? In what ways are you currently receiving the wisdom of Christ? What is the condition of your heart? MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Isaiah 9:6-7; Ephesians 4:20-24; and Hebrews 1:1-3. Ecclesiastes 2:10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. KJV Ecclesiastes 2:10 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. BGT Ecclesiastes 2:10 καὶ πᾶν ὃ ᾔτησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου οὐχ ὑφεῖλον ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσα τὴν καρδίαν μου ἀπὸ πάσης εὐφροσύνης ὅτι καρδία μου εὐφράνθη ἐν παντὶ μόχθῳ μου καὶ τοῦτο ἐγένετο μερίς μου ἀπὸ παντὸς μόχθου μου LXE Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatever mine eyes desired, I withheld not from them, I withheld not my heart from all my mirth: for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour. NET Ecclesiastes 2:10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. CSB Ecclesiastes 2:10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. ESV Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. NIV Ecclesiastes 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. NLT Ecclesiastes 2:10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. YLT Ecclesiastes 2:10 And all that mine eyes asked I kept not back from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this hath been my portion, from all my labour, NJB Ecclesiastes 2:10 I denied my eyes nothing that they desired, refused my heart no pleasure, for I found all my hard work a pleasure, such was the return for all my efforts. NRS Ecclesiastes 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. NAB Ecclesiastes 2:10 Nothing that my eyes desired did I deny them, nor did I deprive myself of any joy, but my heart rejoiced in the fruit of all my toil. This was my share for all my toil. GWN Ecclesiastes 2:10 If something appealed to me, I did it. I allowed myself to have any pleasure I wanted, since I found pleasure in my work. This was my reward for all my hard work. BBE Ecclesiastes 2:10 And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward. RSV Ecclesiastes 2:10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. NKJ 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. All that my eyes desired: Ec 3:22 6:9 11:9 Ge 3:6 6:2 Jud 14:2 Job 31:1 Ps 119:37 Pr 23:5 1Jn 2:16 my heart was pleased: Ec 2:22 5:18 9:9 Ps 128:2 SOLOMON DID NOT PRACTICE SELF-DENIAL All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor (amal -toilsome, wearying work; Lxx - mochthos) - Note repetition of labor indicating that he continued to work hard. In context he seems to have "worked hard" at testing pleasures only to find they were a dead end street! John Stevenson - There was not anything that Solomon wanted that he did not take to himself. And when he had gotten it all and studied it all and built it all, then he set out to enjoy it. He wasn't like the man who slaved to be rich only to die before he could enjoy the benefits of his labors. Solomon became rich while he was still young. He was like the bumper sticker on the Cadillac that says, "I'm spending my children's inheritance." My heart is a synecdoche of part (i.e., heart) for the whole (i.e., whole person). See E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 648 - SYNECDOCHE OF THE WHOLE. The term is repeated twice in 2:10 for emphasis. The phrase "whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them" points to the lust of the eyes (cf. 1Jn2:16+). The Preacher experienced all the joyous sensations from a way of life characterized by the gratification of every whim (v3-9), but when the temporal joy vanished, only the labor remained: a burdensome reminder of the fruitlessness of labor in itself and of the inadequacy of materialism. When the work ended, so did the enjoyment of it. Labor (mischief, toil trouble, anguish) (05999) amal from verb amal = to labor especially the dark side of labor, the grievous and unfulfilling aspects of work) means trouble, labor, toil, toilsome, wearying work. Every use of amal in the Septuagint is translates with the noun mochthos which describes hard and difficult labor involving suffering hardship, struggle, strenuous toil. Note that amal is not just describing physical toil but can also describe mental anguish as in the following passages -- anguish (Ps. 25:18), Joseph’s ‘anguish’ of mind (Ge 41:51), the ‘misery’ from which Israel was delivered (Nu 23:21NIV), Job’s ‘trouble’ (Job 3:10). Labor (amal) is used by Solomon in Ps 127:1+ explaining how man's labor is in vain without the LORD! = "Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor (amal) in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." Gilbrant - This is the noun that describes the labor that Qoheleth, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, considered vanity, because the laborer could never enjoy the fruit of the labor (Ecc. 1:3; 2:11). The term is used figuratively to describe the heaviness of certain painful thoughts, particularly the psalmist's concern over the prosperity of the wicked (Ps. 73:16). ʿāmāl can also refer to the fruit or produce of labor (Ps. 105:44; Ecc. 2:19) and the notion of trouble or vexation (general weariness or weariness of situations and circumstances). Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh since God had made him forget all his toil (Gen. 41:51). The Lord heard the affliction and toil of his people in Egypt and sent Moses to deliver them (Deut. 26:7). Job's so-called friends are called "troublesome comforters" (Job 3:10; 16:2). The Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, experienced for our sakes "the anguish of his soul" (Isa. 53:11). ʿāmāl may also be translated "wickedness" (cf. Num. 23:21; Isa. 10:1), which conveys the emotion of vexation and anguish associated with sinful behavior, especially by those who are the recipients of such evil acts. (Complete Biblical Library) AMAL USES IN ECCLESIASTES - Eccl. 1:3; Eccl. 2:10; Eccl. 2:11; Eccl. 2:18; Eccl. 2:19; Eccl. 2:20; Eccl. 2:22; Eccl. 2:24; Eccl. 3:13; Eccl. 4:4; Eccl. 4:6; Eccl. 4:8; Eccl. 4:9; Eccl. 5:15; Eccl. 5:18; Eccl. 5:19; Eccl. 6:7; Eccl. 8:15; Eccl. 9:9; Eccl. 10:15; The Futility of Wealth and Pleasure 2:1-11 - Don Robinson Fulfillment doesn't come through self-gratification. (Ec 2:10-11) a. Solomon did not exercise any self-control: if he wanted it, he got it; if he wanted to do it, he did it b. however, all he received was temporary satisfaction while he was involved. c. when he observed afterward, what he saw was of no enduring value! Work: A Narcotic A friend told me that he feels closest to God when he's the busiest. He explained that when demands are the greatest, he finds himself most reliant on the Lord's strength. He pointed out, however, that unless he takes time for daily worship, his work can quickly become an escape. Many people engage in activity for activity's sake and use busyness as a device to avoid facing reality. Just as alcohol can deaden the senses to personal relationships, family obligations, and community responsibilities, so also constant work can be a narcotic. It dulls our sensitivity to the deeper issues of life. About 3,000 years ago, the author of Ecclesiastes discovered this. He sought satisfaction by busying himself with building houses and planting vineyards. But then as he thought about the work he had done, he realized it was full of emptiness (Eccl 2:10-11). Lord, teach me how to work each day, That every deed I do May not be driven by false pride But render service true. —Anon. Never take on more work than you have time to pray over. The Hunger Of A Black Hole Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. —John 14:27 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 A black hole is a swirling mass deep in outer space that like a ravenous beast swallows any bit of matter that comes close to it. The human heart is like that. Professor Diogenes Allen of Princeton Seminary states, “There is an emptiness at our core that is like a black hole. . . . There is an emptiness in us which threatens to suck us down as well, although what it is actually doing is dispelling an illusion. It is not destroying us, but revealing to us that we are already a dead thing trying to give itself life by taking all within its reach. But the core of us remains an emptiness.” What can satisfy the black hole of the human heart? Wealth, pleasure, travel, fame, learning, art? These can no more fill that inner void than a fistful of pebbles can fill the Grand Canyon. In an attempt to find peace for his soul, King Solomon experimented with every resource imaginable. He wrote, “I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” (Eccl. 2:10). But what was the result of his search? He concluded, “All is vanity and grasping for the wind” (v.17). Solomon’s ultimate realization was that fulfillment can be found only in knowing and living for God (12:13). Why do we keep on trying The fare of this world's sin When God has set before us The joy of Christ within? —JDB Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in God. The Smart House Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established. — Proverbs 24:3 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 A group in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is developing a “Smart House.” This computer-equipped home can be programmed to monitor the baby, make the coffee, start the shower, dim the lights, and turn on the music. It senses whether people are in a room and adjusts the heat and lights accordingly. If the vacuum cleaner is running when the doorbell or telephone rings, the computer automatically shuts it off. Imagine owning a dream house like that! You could have a taste of the life of Solomon, who in his day had anything a person could want (Eccl. 2:10). Remember, however, that when Solomon filled his life with luxuries, he also filled it with emptiness (v.11). When he lived for riches and comfort, he ran into the same kinds of problems that put For Sale signs in front of thousands of homes today. The wealthy who have forgotten the Lord are plagued by divorce, alcoholism, and depression. Look away from earth's attractions, All earth's joys will soon be o'er; Rest not till thy heart exclaimeth: "I have Christ! What want I more?" —Walker Be smart—ask for God's wisdom. The Pleasure Is Mine I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure . . . All was vanity and grasping for the wind. —Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 I always look forward to summer. The warm sunshine, baseball, beaches, and barbecues are pleasures that bring joy after a long, cold winter. But pleasure-seeking isn’t just seasonal. Don’t we all enjoy good food, engaging conversation, and a crackling fire? The desire for pleasure isn’t wrong. God has built us for it. Paul reminds us that God “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). Other passages welcome us to the healthy pleasure of food, friends, and the intimacy of a marriage relationship. But thinking that we can find lasting pleasure in people and things is ultimately an empty pursuit. Ultimate pleasure is not found in the short-lived thrills our world offers, but rather in the long-term joy from a deepening intimacy with our Lord. King Solomon learned this the hard way. “I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,” he admitted (Eccl. 2:10). But after his pleasure-seeking spree, he concluded: “All was vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ec 2:11). It’s no wonder he warned, “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man” (Prov. 21:17). The world is filled with so much good That brings us joy and pleasure, But true fulfillment only comes When Christ we love and treasure. —Sper Are we living for our own pleasure, or living to please our heavenly Father? Tantalized Sinners I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure . . . . All was vanity and grasping for the wind. — Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 In Greek mythology, King Tantalus offended the gods and was punished in the underworld. He was placed in a lake in water up to his chin, but whenever he attempted to satisfy his burning thirst the water receded. Over his head were branches laden with choice fruit, but when he tried to satisfy his hunger they eluded his grasping hands. Tantalus, therefore, became the symbol of utter frustration. Even today his name is remembered in the English word tantalize. Outside of a relationship with God, many things in life are tantalizing but unrewarding. The author of Ecclesiastes pursued happiness through knowledge, pleasure, riches, and work. Nothing satisfied the hunger in his soul. So he wrote, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (1:2). It was only when he focused on knowing and pleasing God (12:13-14) that he found life’s true purpose. If we commit ourselves to Christ And follow in His way, He'll give us life that satisfies With purpose for each day. —Sper Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul. Sunshine Chaser I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure. —Ecclesiastes 2:10 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Diana and Dave love to ride their jet skis on the lake, skimming across the water on warm sunny days. But one morning the weather was cool and mostly cloudy, and Diana couldn’t convince Dave to go out. So she went on her own. It was so cold that she flitted back and forth across the lake, trying to keep herself in the sunshine for some needed warmth. But every time she reached a sunny area, the clouds moved and it quickly turned to shade. Realizing the futility and silliness of chasing the sunshine, she finally gave up because it didn’t bring her what she wanted. King Solomon did another kind of chasing that couldn’t bring him satisfaction (Eccl. 2:1). In the first 11 verses of Ecclesiastes 2 alone, he mentions that he chased after pleasure, laughter, wine, wisdom, houses, gardens, money, possessions, and music. But his evaluation was that “all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ec 2:11). Those pursuits were empty—“vanity of vanities” (Ec 1:2). He wisely concluded: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ec 12:13). Chasing after empty pleasure Will not satisfy one’s heart; But to those who follow Jesus, Life’s fulfillment He’ll impart. —Sper Only God can fill an empty heart. Ray Pritchard - Something New Under the Sun KING FOR A DAY I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Ecclesiastes 2:10NIV Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be king for a day? Suppose that for just one day you had unlimited wealth, unlimited power, and could do anything you wanted. You could ask for a jet and fly anywhere in the world. Or you could go on a shopping spree in Beverly Hills and never run out of money. Or you could buy a new home—or two or three—and still have enough to buy one hundred homes tomorrow. Solomon had all that—and not just for one day but every day. If he saw it, he bought it. If he wanted it, he took it. If he thought he would enjoy it, he tried it. His investigation of the pleasures of life took him in every direction and brought him great delight. Put simply: He enjoyed being the king and the richest man on earth. This leads to an interesting observation. Some people can be rich in the will of God. I think that God sometimes blesses men and women with an abundance of wealth as a kind of test. While poverty certainly poses its own set of problems, so does wealth. The apostle Paul reminds us that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10, italics added). Money itself is morally neutral. The same dollar that buys pornography may also be used to support a missionary in Thailand. It can fuel greed or it can feed a hungry child. Money has no moral value except as we use it for good or for evil. Since that is true, it follows that every dime we spend represents a moral choice. Christianity is a giving religion. It starts with God who gave His Son—the "indescribable gift" of 2 Corinthians 9:15. It is "indescribable" because of its extent. For if I were to go to the bank and withdraw all my money and give it away, and if I were to sell my car and give the money to the poor, and if I were to give everything I had and then gave myself as someone's slave . . . I wouldn't have given as much as God did when He gave His only begotten Son. God can never owe me anything. I can never outgive Him. When I come to the end of my philanthropy and begin to pat myself on the back for being such a wonderful person, God bids me to look to the Cross and see the bleeding Son of God. Then I realize I know nothing of what real giving is. Spirit of God, I thank You that I have all that I need and more besides. Help me to become a generous giver. Amen. SHINING THE LIGHT If you had Solomon's power, what pleasure would you choose for yourself today? The Westminster Confession says that man was created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. What does "enjoying God forever" mean to you? What keeps you from enjoying God more than you do? MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Genesis 1:31; Psalm 63:1-5; and 1 Timothy 4:4. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Breathtaking A man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life. —Ecclesiastes 8:15 A popular slogan says, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” I see the phrase everywhere, on everything from T-shirts to pieces of art. It’s a catchy phrase, but I think it’s misleading. If we measure life by breathtaking moments, we miss the wonder of ordinary moments. Eating, sleeping, and breathing seem “ordinary” in that we do them every day, usually without much thought. But they are not ordinary at all. Every bite and every breath are miracles. In fact, having breath is more miraculous than anything that takes our breath away. King Solomon may have had more breathtaking moments than anyone. He said, “I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure” (Eccl. 2:10). But he expressed cynicism about it by saying, “All of it is meaningless” (v.17 NIV). Solomon’s life reminds us that it’s important to find joy in “ordinary” things, for they are indeed wonderful. Bigger is not always better. More is not always an improvement. Busier doesn’t make us more important. Rather than look for meaning in breathtaking moments, we should find meaning in every breath we take, and make every breath meaningful. All that I want is in Jesus; He satisfies, joy He supplies; Life would be worthless without Him, All things in Jesus I find. —Loes Breathing is more miraculous than anything that takes our breath away. TANTALUS - In Greek mythology, King Tantalus offended the gods and was punished in the underworld. He was placed in a lake in water up to his chin, but whenever he attempted to satisfy his burning thirst the water receded. Over his head were branches laden with choice fruit, but when he tried to satisfy his hunger they eluded his grasping hands. (cp Lu 16:19-31) Tantalus, therefore, became the symbol of utter frustration. Even today his name is remembered in the English word tantalize. Outside of a relationship with God, many things in life are tantalizing but unrewarding (cp Heb 11:25). The author of Ecclesiastes pursued happiness through knowledge, pleasure, riches, and work. Nothing satisfied the hunger in his soul. So he wrote, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" (1:2). It was only when he focused on knowing and pleasing God (Eccl 12:13-14) that he found life's true purpose. If you are among those who have been tantalized by what you thought would bring you happiness and peace (and this includes every one of us in one form or another) & you feel frustrated & worn out, come to Jesus. He promised to "give you rest" (Mt 11:28). You will discover with joy that He has everything you've ever hoped for—and much more -- He alone is true Life, the essence of all that satisfies the deepest needs of our soul. He alone is the Source of rivers of living water (Jn 7:38). All else is broken cisterns (Jer 2:13). If we commit ourselves to Christ And follow in His way, He'll give us life that satisfies With purpose for each day. —Sper Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul. Ecclesiastes 2:11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. KJV Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. BGT Ecclesiastes 2:11 καὶ ἐπέβλεψα ἐγὼ ἐν πᾶσιν ποιήμασίν μου οἷς ἐποίησαν αἱ χεῖρές μου καὶ ἐν μόχθῳ ᾧ ἐμόχθησα τοῦ ποιεῖν καὶ ἰδοὺ τὰ πάντα ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν περισσεία ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον LXE Ecclesiastes 2:11 And I looked on all my works which my hands had wrought, and on my labour which I laboured to perform: and behold, all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun. NET Ecclesiastes 2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth." CSB Ecclesiastes 2:11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun. ESV Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. NIV Ecclesiastes 2:11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. NLT Ecclesiastes 2:11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless-- like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. YLT Ecclesiastes 2:11 and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun! NJB Ecclesiastes 2:11 I then reflected on all that my hands had achieved and all the effort I had put into its achieving. What futility it all was, what chasing after the wind! There is nothing to be gained under the sun. NRS Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. NAB Ecclesiastes 2:11 But when I turned to all the works that my hands had wrought, and to the toil at which I had taken such pains, behold! all was vanity and a chase after wind, with nothing gained under the sun. GWN Ecclesiastes 2:11 But when I turned to look at all that I had accomplished and all the hard work I had put into it, I saw that it was all pointless. It was like trying to catch the wind. I gained nothing from any of my accomplishments under the sun. BBE Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun. RSV Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. NKJ Ecclesiastes 2:11 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. I looked: Ec 1:14 Ge 1:31 Ex 39:43 1Jn 2:16,17 behold: Ec 2:17-23 1:3,14 Hab 2:13 1Ti 6:6 PROFITLESS PURSUITS TRYING TO CATCH THE WIND This verse is Solomon’s personal verdict after systematically testing pleasure, accomplishments, and possessions. He reflects back on everything he built, owned, and experienced and arrives at a powerful, sobering conclusion: Thus I considered (deliberate act of reflection - intentional, not impulsive) all my activities (everything he built and accomplished) which my hands had done and the labor (amal - toilsome, wearying work; Lxx - mochthos) which I had exerted - More literally it reads "All the labor (amal) I had labored (amal) to do" the verb amal repeated to emphasize the burden and weariness of the labor which Qoheleth exerted in his accomplishments. Solomon was not just toying with this grand experiment he was carrying out to find the meaning of life and what gives lasting significance. He worked hard at this! While he says ALL, in context he is referring to the activities dealt with in Eccl 2:4–11. and behold (hinneh; Lxx - idou - PAY ATTENTION!!!) all was vanity (hebel - fleeting, insubstantial, short-lived; Lxx - mataiotes - emptiness, nothingness, purposelessness) and striving (reuth) after wind and there was no profit (yithron; Lxx - perisseia - that which is beyond the regular or expected amount) under the sun - NET - "CONCLUDED "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless– like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."" Solomon arrives at three conclusions of all his laborious activities - empty (like vapor having no lasting weight), trying to grasp wind (try catching the uncatchable which pictures futility), and no profit in life on earth without considering God (Nothing gained in the eternal ledger from all his earthly success.) In a sense, all three describe emptiness, futility, fruitlessness. Solomon is not saying do not labor on earth. That would be absurd. Solomon is not rejecting hard work, but is rejecting of finding meaning in work alone. He is not saying labor does not offer some relative and temporal benefits, such as material acquisitions and the enjoyment of the work of one’s hands, but that there is no ultimate fulfillment or benefit to be gained from secular human achievement. John Stevenson - The Emptiness of Accomplishments. Even though he had it all and knew it all and built it all, Solomon concluded that it was ultimately meaningless. It isn't that you cannot accomplish things. It is that once you accomplish them, they provide no lasting fulfillment. Alexander the Great conquered the entire known world before he was 30 years old and then wept that there were no more worlds to conquer. Profit (03504) yithron (from yathar = to remain over, remain, be left over) is a masculine noun refers literally to what is left over (a gain or a profit) or metaphorically to what is advantageous or of benefit, or that which remains after one's work (Eccl. 1:3; 5:16, 10:11); or knowledge (Eccl 7:12). The word yithrôn appears 10 times, all in Ecclesiastes and each time it appears, it questions what is the lasting benefit or eternal value does all this effort really yield? Yithrôn is not just about material gain, but about meaning, enduring value, or spiritual profit. The noun יִתְרוֹן (yitron, “profit”) has a two-fold range of meanings: (1) “what comes of [something]; result” (Eccl 1:3; 2:11; 3:9; 5:8, 15; 7:12; 10:10) and (2) “profit; advantage” (Eccl 2:13; 10:11); see HALOT 452–53 s.v. יִתְרוֹי. It is derived from the noun יֶתֶר (yeter, “what is left behind; remainder”; HALOT 452 s.v. I יֶתֶר). The related verb יָתַר (yatar) denotes “to be left over; to survive” (Niphal) and “to have left over” (Hiphil); see HALOT 451–52 s.v. יתר. When used literally, יִתְרוֹן refers to what is left over after expenses (gain or profit); when used figuratively, it refers to what is advantageous or of benefit. Though some things have relative advantage over others (e.g., light over darkness, and wisdom over folly in Eccl 2:13), there is no ultimate profit in man’s labor due to death. Complete Biblical Library - Likely a loanword from Aramaic, yitron is derived from the cognate of Hebrew verb yathar, "to remain". Appearing exclusively in Ecclesiastes, the noun is attested in Jewish Aramaic, Christian Palestinian Aramaic, Syriac and Mandaean. The nuance of "profit" is a direct extension of the verbal nuance of "to be left over," as it denotes that which is superfluous or more than the necessary amount. It appears in two broad contexts, that of the lack of profit of labor and in the context of the advantage of wisdom. It appears twice in the comparative simile "wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness" (Eccl 2:13). Near the conclusion of a proclamation concerning the greatness of wisdom, the statement is: "the advantage of knowledge is wisdom" (Eccl 7:12). It also appears with this nuance in a series of metaphors which express the defilement of folly. Wisdom achieves profit (Eccl 10:10). "A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different (Eccl 10:11, NKJV). The second broad context for this noun is that of the rhetorical question, "What profit is labor?" The pointlessness of work is manifested in the realization that the earth is eternal, and generations continually do the same work, minimizing the significance of any individual (Eccl 1:3); as the only profit gained was the reward of the work itself (Eccl 2:11). Indeed, labor itself gains one nothing, not only in this life (Eccl 3:9), nor beyond as well, as one leaves life in the same financial state they entered (Eccl 5:16). Financially, a king is better than anarchy, in regard to land claims (Eccl 5:9). YITHRON - 10x/9v - advantage(5), excels(2), profit(3). Eccl. 1:3; Eccl. 2:11; Eccl. 2:13; Eccl. 3:9; Eccl. 5:9; Eccl. 5:16; Eccl. 7:12; Eccl. 10:10; Eccl. 10:11 Striving (07469) reuth from rea - purpose, aim. Reuth refers to a person's efforts to attain something, to achieve or master something, to find out all about the world and its purposes. Each appears in the phrase "striving after wind," a graphic image of the impossibility and futility of the pursuit of earthly happiness and meaning apart from the Lord (Eccl 1:14; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 9). The Septuagint translates reuth with proairesis which a choosing of one thing before another, an act of deliberate choice, a purpose, resolution, commitment (in political language, a deliberate course of action, a policy,) 🙏 THOUGHT- “When Success Isn’t Enough” “I looked at all I had built... and I found it was empty.” – Solomon It’s easy to live as if the next achievement, project, or possession will finally bring fulfillment. But Solomon had it all and still felt hollow. This verse is a mirror for our modern hearts: We chase promotions, build platforms, accumulate stuff. But in the quiet moments, we too may say, “All was vanity.” Solomon’s lament is not hopeless. It’s instructive: Don’t look to your hands for what only God can give your heart. Meaning isn’t found in what you build, but in Who you serve. Work has purpose but only when offered to God. “Therefore, my beloved brethren be (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58+ The Missing Piece "Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV I’m not much for jigsaw puzzles, but I know that you need all the pieces to enjoy a satisfying outcome. In many ways, life is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. We spend our days putting it together, hoping to create something meaningful out of all the scattered pieces. But when we can’t find the strategic pieces that complete the picture of some challenging situation in life, we face unsettling disappointment at best, and, at worst, despair. Honest philosophers have been telling us for centuries that life can be confusing, lonely, meaningless, and empty. Disappointment and despair are to be expected as normal by-products of our existence. The remedies proposed range from the passive resignation of a life stuck in the byword whatever to engagement in experiences that provide the adrenaline rush of temporary excitement. Even the writer of Ecclesiastes searched the depths of wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and work to find meaning and satisfaction but came up disillusioned. His conclusion is painstakingly honest: “Behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 2:11 ESV). Let’s face it; there have been times when we’ve wondered why life is not more rewarding. Even our best experiences rarely leave much of lasting value, and often the anticipation is more fulfilling than the experience itself. We “channel surf” life, looking—hoping—for something to catch our attention, only to end up bored, jaded, and flat. And when life gets in our face, we are shocked at how brutal and unconsoling it can be. In our quiet moments, we feel stalked by a sense of emptiness and fear. We wonder, “Why? What’s missing?” Has anyone noticed that the one thing the philosophers, the meaning-searcher in Ecclesiastes, and many of us have in common is that God has been removed as the preeminent center of our existence? He is the missing piece; the piece we so desperately need in order to complete the picture of life. Even those of us who are connected to God through redemption, often live our lives as though He isn’t particularly relevant to our everyday occasions and encounters. We are proficient at maintaining the level of religious activity we deem appropriate, but God is hardly the center of our lives. When God is banished from human experience or relegated to the religious margins of our lives, left only to serve us on an “on-call” basis, we become functionally alone. And in that aloneness, emptiness and vulnerability become more than philosophical theory—they are naked reality. The good news is, while we have life and breath, God will not cease to pursue a rewarding, deepening intimacy with us. He is not content to leave us alone. His unceasing, unconditional love for each of us compels Him. He wants to meet us at the intersection of every dream, every desire, every choice, and every thought, and He urges us to turn toward Him and actualize the finished work of His Son, the gift of the Spirit, and the resource of His Word. God welcomes us to begin a pilgrimage that puts our backs toward the aloneness in our souls and turns our faces toward the spectacular glow of intimacy with Him, toward life the way it was meant to be. Once we put Him in the right place, He begins to bring all the scattered pieces together to complete the picture of our lives—and it’s a good picture when He is the strategic piece! YOUR JOURNEY… Do you feel as if your life is missing something? If so, what? Have you ever considered that you might be lacking intimacy with God? Read Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. Can you identify with this experience? If so, think of some things you strive for that are nothing more than “vanity.” Confess the vain things that come to mind, and commit to strive after intimacy with God instead. Did you have an experience like this in the past? What happened? How do you feel when you realize that God pursues you for a deeper, richer relationship with Him? Think of a time when this was evident in your life. If you are interested in reclaiming that (or initiating it), read Revelation 3:14-20. Then take it personally! Finding Joy in the Meaningless When I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:11 TODAY'S SCRIPTURE Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 Today's Insights --The book of Ecclesiastes was most likely written by Solomon; the author is said to be the son of David (1:1) and king of Israel (v. 12). This is significant because as king, Solomon had access to everything he needed to conduct his “experiment” of finding meaning by pursuing the things that humans desire the most (2:1–11). Additionally, throughout this search for meaning and despite indulging in worldly pleasures, he notes that he was still being guided by wisdom (vv. 3, 9). We’re told he was the wisest person to have ever lived (see 1 Kings 3:11–12). Today's Devotional - In 2010, James Ward, the creator of the blog “I Like Boring Things,” launched a conference called the “Boring Conference.” It’s a one-day celebration of the mundane, the ordinary, and the overlooked. In the past, speakers have addressed seemingly meaningless topics like sneezing, sounds that vending machines make, and inkjet printers of 1999. Ward knows the topics may be boring, but the speakers can take a mundane subject and make it interesting, meaningful, and even joyful. Several millennia ago, Solomon, the wisest of kings, launched his own search for joy in the meaningless and mundane. He pursued work, bought flocks, built wealth, acquired singers, and constructed buildings (Ecclesiastes 2:4–9). Some of these pursuits were honorable and some were not. Ultimately, in his pursuit of meaning, the king found nothing but boredom (v. 11). Solomon maintained a worldview that didn’t press beyond the limits of human experience to include God. Ultimately, however, he realized that he’d find joy in the mundane only when he remembered and worshiped God (12:1–7). Reflect & Pray Why is it so hard to find meaning in things that can never satisfy? How do you need to reprioritize your commitment to and worship of God so you can find your meaning in Him? God, take the unremarkable moments of my life and infuse them with Your joy and wonder. What Brings Happiness? All was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. —Ecclesiastes 2:11 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 After studying the effect of the post-World War II economic boom in Japan, Richard Easterlin concluded that monetary growth does not always bring more satisfaction. More recently, economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers conducted surveys in more than 100 nations and concluded that life satisfaction is highest in the richest countries. So who’s right? Let’s check with the writer of Ecclesiastes. He should know! He was a truly rich man (2:8). He had the means to try everything in this world—and he did! He gave himself to pleasure (vv.1-3), grand projects (vv.4-8), entertainment (v.8), and hard work (vv.10-11). But he concluded that it was all “vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (v.11). Lasting satisfaction doesn’t come from possessing tangible things like savings accounts and material goods. Recent events have shown that these things can suddenly lose value. To find true happiness, we have to find it in Someone who is not from “under the sun.” And that is our Savior, Jesus. Take the world, but give me Jesus, All its joys are but a name; But His love abideth ever, Through eternal years the same. —Crosby To know happiness, get to know Jesus. Are You Losing Touch? I looked on all the works that my hands had done . . . and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. —Eccl. 2:11 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 A number of years ago in Rochester, New York, 30 people competed in a charity fundraiser called a Touch-A-Thon. A new car was to be given to the person who could touch a red spot on the car for the longest time, not counting the 15-minute breaks that were allowed every 4 hours. After four days, one man and one woman were left. But then the woman reached into her purse for a fingernail file and took her hand off the car. She lost touch and lost the prize. King Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, also tells about losing touch—but in his case he forfeited something of inestimable value. He had started out well by living for God, but then he began seeking personal profit and pleasure. As he surveyed his wealth and his fame, it dawned on him that in reaching out for those things, he had let go of his contact with God, his true source of meaning and lasting happiness. Are we justifying what we are doing, not realizing that we may no longer be living in close fellowship with the Lord? Do we need to stop worrying about trivial things and reestablish our contact with eternal values through repentance and faith? Keep me in touch with You, dear Lord, Through every day in all I do; For if I go in my own way, I'll lose the joy of knowing You. —Hess If we walk with God, we'll be out of step with the world. Henry