1. I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 2:1-11 E MPTINESS OF T HINGS

2. I NTRODUCTION Solomon is now going to broaden his search for answers… Next on his list is “ pleasure.” Along with this he will also add the vanity of “ great accomplishments ” God had given him the one thing he asked for WISDOM —who better to make this search for the real meaning of LIFE.

3. E CCLESIASTES 2:1 “ I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also was vanity."

4. E CCLESIASTES 2:2 “ I said of laughter- "Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish ? "

5. E CCLESIASTES 2:3 “ I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. "

6. V ALUE OF P LEASURE Sensual pleasures of life—Solomon is going to blitz himself and enjoy them all Mirth —” gladness of gaiety as shown by, or accompanied with, laughter.” (Webster) “ Enjoy pleasure ”—many people today live for fun, party and frolic. Pursuing some types of entertainment : movies, sports, vacations, nightclubbing, etc. Remember Solomon is seeking some “ lasting good ” these things can provide.

7. V ALUE OF P LEASURE Laughter he concludes is madness. It gets old after a while Pleasure he sees as accomplishing little but temporary benefit –Hebrews 11:25 Does not improve things and really gives no answer to the puzzling questions of life Turns to “ gratify flesh with wine ”— apparently not a large amount—”guiding his heart with wisdom”

8. S OCIALIZING AND P ARTYING Controlled experiment—One’s mind can’t be controlled while under influence of alcohol –Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 1 Peter 4:1-3 “ Till I might see what was good ”—can it produce happiness in life? Can this be a good “ exercise ” for men to pursue “ all the days of their lives ?” –Destroys health –Leads to other problems –Addiction a possibility!

9. E CCLESIASTES 2:4,5 “ I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. "

10. E CCLESIASTES 2:6,7 “ I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. "

11. E CCLESIASTES 2:8 “ I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. "

12. E CCLESIASTES 2:9 “ So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. "

13. E CCLESIASTES 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. "

14. E CCLESIASTES 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. "

15. B UILDING P ROJECTS AND P OSSESSIONS Solomon’s house took twice as long to build as the temple—13 years for his house! –1 Kings 6:38; 7:1 Many define themselves by their accomplishments “ I made for myself ” is used 8 times in vs.4- 10 —personal satisfaction “ Orchards ” literally parks; garden terraces to beautify—landscaping was spectacular Nothing wrong with such pursuits— depending if done at expense of spiritual matters!

16. B UILDING P ROJECTS AND P OSSESSIONS Lists nine categories of works he did—or things built or obtained: –Houses –Vineyards –Gardens –Orchards (parks) –Fruit trees –Water pools –Male and female servants –Herds and flocks –Silver and gold, special treasures –Male and female singers

17. B UILDING P ROJECTS AND P OSSESSIONS Solomon also had 700 wives and 300 concubines –1 Kings 11:3 Excelled in riches and possessions still maintaining his wisdom Anything his eye desire—he pursued it! Neither denied or spared himself of anything life could offer We can accumulate things —but can’t buy happiness! –1 Timothy 6:10

18. B UILDING P ROJECTS AND P OSSESSIONS Solomon’s heart rejoiced in all his labor God wants us to enjoy to enjoy life—looking from the proper perspective –Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12; 5:18 He had all these “ rewards ” from that labor ( mentioned 7 times in the book ) Solomon claims to have kept “ objectivity ” during all these pursuits Work brought longer satisfaction than the mental pursuit seeking happiness

19. B UILDING P ROJECTS AND P OSSESSIONS What did Solomon conclude ? Purely earthly values will eventually let people down and disappoint Reflections over his pursuits— worthless If this is where man is placing his hope of happiness and true meaning of life—killing himself over NOTHING! No profit and “ grasping after wind ” –Matthew 16:26 –Luke 12:15 –Matthew 19:22 –Mark 10:24

20. C ONCLUSION All of man’s earthly works and labor have “ no profit under the sun ” No lasting enduring value No profit or value to one’s soul These things are temporal and fleeting Sadly, many base their assessments of one’s worth and success on their possessions Life’s meaning and happiness cannot be found in “ earthly things ”—must look further…