Before we dive into Chapter 1, let me give you the back drop. Some scholars still debate over whether on Solomon was, in fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes. Historical evidence has thought to prove that Solomon was the author, so for all intents and purposes, he is. Solomon was, still is, and will be the richest individual in the history books. Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey combined still doesn't come close to the vast wealth that Solomon had (God given of course). Unfortunately for him, he squandered kingdom resources in pursuit of pleasure, wisdom, and happiness. Solomon had to learn the hard way that all these things are mist, vapors, futile. This is exactly how he starts the book.
Everything is Futile
Solomon, after realizing that everything is futile in verses 1 and 2, begins pondering life by asking "what does a man gain for all his efforts he labors at under the sun?" I'm quite sure if you're thoroughly nourished on bible nutrition, that you already know the answer to this question, in terms of spiritual matters. In verse 9, Solomon states that there is nothing new under the sun, but in verses 4-6, we see why he came to that conclusion. He states that every comes in cycles. 4"A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5The sun rises and the sun sets; it returns to its place where it rises. 6Gusting to the south, turning to the north, turning, turning, goes the wind, and the wind returns in its cycles." Everything occurs in this world in cycles; generations, nature, life, and death. Solomon solidifies his statement in verse 9 with the statement in verse 10. "Can one say about anything, Look this is new? It has already existed in the ages before us."
Limitations of Wisdom
Solomon switches gears in verse 12 by talking about the limitations associated with wisdom. Solomon states he has applied his mind to seek and explore through all things done under heaven through wisdom (v12-13). In the end, however, he states that it all is futile, vapors. He used all of his physical resources to grasp and understand pleasure, folly, wisdom and knowledge and these all have led to nothing. He gained wisdom far beyond everyone who ruled Jerusalem before him, yet it meant nothing in the end (v16-17). Solomon shares more results from his personal quest for knowledge and folly in the next chapter. Stay tuned....
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This post is interesting. So many times people choose to believe that wisdom will take them far, and it can (not saying it will). However, sometimes we look in the wrong direction for the wisdom and understanding that we need. Sure getting a college degree (or many degrees) can be helpful career wise, but all the degrees in the world won't matter if you don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. No degree on paper from Harvard, Princeton, Ole Miss, etc will get you to Heaven. God allows some of us to gain edcuational knowledge, but He doesn't expect us to abuse our knowledge, to think we are better than others, nor does He expect us to forget from whence comes our help. The more we dive into scripture, the better of an understanding we will have. Truly, we should be content knowing that God is in control of all. Because we know that we are on a journey through this world that is only temporary. What we do here determines where we go when we leave here. I understand some of us work hard to get the things we have, or so we think. If God did not want us to have these material things, no amount of money could get them. But if we were jobless with no money and God wanted to bless us, nothing could stop it. Be happy with your blessings. Love in righteousness more, sin less, be prepared to leave this world, because it will happen. Store your treasures up in Heaven and not here. Nothing belongs to us...not the cars we drive, the houses we own (or places we rent), nor the money we have. For some of us, God has allowed us temporary possession of these blessings. Don't take for granted what you have while you have it, because one day these things will be no more. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" To serve Him is to be wise, to do the will of God. Enjoy what God has blessed you with. Don't think you have all the time in the world, because not one of us knows the day nor the hour when He shall return again. God bless.
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