Life in Vanity Fair An Overview of Ecclesiastes

Summer Booklist Heavenly Man by Brother Yun A Chance to Die: the biography of Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elliot God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew Christian Heroes by Janet & Geoff Benge (at worldchristian.com) To the Golden Shore: the biography of Adonirum Judson by Courtney Anderson

Who Wrote Ecclesiastes? 1:1-12:8 – “The Preacher”1:1-12:8 – “The Preacher” –1:1 “son of David & king of Jerusalem” –1:16 wiser than all predecessors –2:1-11 very, very rich –Best fit = Solomon

Who Wrote Ecclesiastes? 12:9-1412:9-14 –3 rd person and past tense –Could be a follower of Solomon –Could be Solomon himself later in life

Who Wrote Ecclesiastes? 1:1-12:8 – Mid-life-crisis Solomon1:1-12:8 – Mid-life-crisis Solomon 12:9-14 – Old & wise Solomon12:9-14 – Old & wise SolomonBoth… …believe in God as sovereign creator and judge …are remarkably wise and observant

Mid-life-crisis Solomon Speaks Big Idea: If my hope is in this life, then I am destined for disappointmentBig Idea: If my hope is in this life, then I am destined for disappointment His focus: Life “under the sun” (29x)His focus: Life “under the sun” (29x) –this present life as mankind observes it His conclusion: All is “vanity” (1:12-14)His conclusion: All is “vanity” (1:12-14) –“vanity, futility, worthlessness” (38x) –Begins and ends his speech – 1:2; 12:8

Mid-life-crisis Solomon Speaks Ecclesiastes 2:17, 20 So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Mid-life-crisis Solomon Speaks Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living. But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.

Four Reasons for His Despair 1)All of us are profoundly broken –All of us are sinners (7:20; 9:3) –Our sin seems to go unpunished (8:14) –Our sin corrupts all our activities (4:4; 5:8) –Not even the wisest can escape our fall (1:18; 9:18)

Four Reasons for His Despair 2)This world will never get any better –hebel = “vanity, futility” or “breath” –1:2-10 – All our effort makes no lasting difference

Four Reasons for His Despair 3)What this world offers can never satisfy our infinite desire for more –Solomon’s resources – 2:3-10 infinite moneyinfinite money endless possessionsendless possessions limitless food, drink, and leisurelimitless food, drink, and leisure 1,000 women at his beck and call1,000 women at his beck and call –Solomon’s findings – 2:11

Four Reasons for His Despair 4)The pursuits and pleasures of this life always end in death –Remember progressive revelation –The afterlife remained shrouded in mystery –Mid-life-crisis Solomon responds in despair 9:5,109:5,10 3:19-213:19-21

Mid-life-crisis Solomon’s Conclusion Disillusionment & despair lead to heresy: “Enjoy this life because it’s all you know you’ll get.” –8:14-15 – all is futility, so pursue pleasure –11:8-10 – life is short, so follow your desires

Old & wise Solomon Speaks 12:9-11 – my observations were right12:9-11 – my observations were right 12:12-14 – but my conclusion was wrong12:12-14 – but my conclusion was wrong –v12 – knowledge only gets you so far –vv13-14 – all that really matters in this life… faith that God will certainly set things right (v14)faith that God will certainly set things right (v14) motivates obedience to God’s commands (v13)motivates obedience to God’s commands (v13)

Conclusion Q: How do we find meaning & satisfaction “under the sun”? A: By keeping our eyes fixed “beyond the sun.” Application: Live for the next life through… -faith in God’s promises -obedience to God’s commands