I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 1:1-11

E CCLESIASTES 1:1,2 “ The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

“A LL I S V ANITY ” Vanity is the key word of the book- 37 times. “ Lack of worth, emptiness, futile, unprofitable. No redeeming or lasting value.” Vexation of spirit —constant unsatisfying seeking after something- ”striving after wind” Profit —”to gain, it is something above what is put into it.” Discussing things that are useless –the vanity of earthly things.

E CCLESIASTES 1:3 “ What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun ? "

“P ROFIT ” What does man really gain from all of his labors? Phrase “ under the sun ” used 30 times in the book. Where could one go and not be “under the sun?” Gaining the whole world would be of no value –Mark 8:36 Writer looking at the advantage from an earthly standpoint.

E CCLESIASTES 1:4,5 “ One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. "

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY The earth outlives us all! People come and go but the earth remains Forever means “ an indefinite period of time known only by God.” Remains as long as God allows it to do so “Forever“ used in discussing other things: –Sabbath— Exodus 31:17 –Passover— Exodus 12:14 –Incense— Exodus 30:8 –Aaronic Priesthood— Exodus 40:15 –Took away at the cross— Colossians 2:14

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY Gives a feeling of emptiness and a sense of uselessness in so far as this life is concerned. Examples of “ Futility ”… –Passing generations (1:4) –The cycles of nature (1:5-7) –The curiosity of man (1:8) –The absence of something new (1:9-11)

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY Life seems to be going in “ circles ” Observes how transitory life is Generations come and go (vs.4) Sun rises and sets (vs.5) Life seems like a carousel—lots of noise no progress From “ under the sun ”—depressing and demoralizing From above—see God’s order and control

E CCLESIASTES 1:6,7 “ The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. 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. "

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY Winds continue to blow with no apparent pattern Rivers flow into the seas—but the seas are not full Vapor rises from the sea, is condensed and falls as rain, swells the river then runs back to the sea Running to sea but getting nowhere Here lies a discussion on evaporation —men discovered the cycle in 15 th or 16 th century!

E CCLESIASTES 1:8,9 “ All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 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. "

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY Although Creation is active— nothing is accomplished! Example, we have more “ time saving devices today ” but still don’t have enough time! Life is tiresome and wearisome when viewed from this angle Material things, laws, forces of nature were part of God’s creation “Nothing new under the sun!”

E CCLESIASTES 1:10,11 “ Is there anything of which it may be said, " See, this is new "? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after. "

I LLUSTRATIONS OF V ANITY Generally speaking nothing is “ new ” Even if we think so it’s been seen before—” ancient times ” No remembrance of the past No new inventions The next generation forgets the last one Author takes the secular viewpoint— ways people look at things without belief in God “Nothing new under the sun!”

C ONCLUSION Only observes the monotonousness— human wisdom can never make sense of life Thus, we need to consider higher values One considering purely earthly values, what is your life? Endless circles Life apart from God—no rhyme or reason!