Notes by Marilyn Hickey: Searching for the meaning in life. Chapters 1-7 are about seeking vanities.
Solomon had Sophia wisdom insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence (biblehub.com)
https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/sunesis.html: a running together, a flowing together with; Knowledge; understanding (i.e the mind so far forth as it understands; cleverness 1, insight 1, understanding 5 (addition?)
Phronesis wisdom – ‘practical wisdom’ that has been derived from learning and evidence of practical things. It leads to breakthrough thinking and creativity and enables the individual to discern and make good judgements about what is the right thing to do in a situation. (not biblical)
https://oxford-review.com/oxford-review-encyclopaedia-terms/phronesis-definition-meaning/
The Futility of All Endeavor - EDUCATION
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. SOLOMON
2 “[a]Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “[b]Vanity of vanities! All is [c]vanity.” THIS IS A FAMOUS PASSAGE. IN OTHER WORDS, IS LIFE WORTH IT?
3 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? BECAUSE OF ADAM AND EVE’S SIN WE HAVE TO WORK. BUT IT GIVES US MEANING AND PURPOSE. BUSINESS AS MISSION IS A CURRENT PHRASE.
4 A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth [d]remains forever. REVELATION SHOWS IT WILL BE CHANGED.
5 Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; And [e]hastening to its place it rises there again.
6 [f]Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The wind continues [g]swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns.
7 All the rivers [h]flow into the sea, Yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers [i]flow, There they [j]flow again.
8 All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. WE ARE NEVER HAPPY. WE WANT MORE.
9 That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. WE SOMETIMES THINK THINGS ARE NEW. THEY AREN’T TO GOD. NOTHING SURPRISES HIM.
10 Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”? Already it has existed for ages Which were before us.
11 There is no remembrance of [k]earlier things; And also of the [l]later things which will occur, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come [m]later still. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO STUDY HISTORY TO LEARN FROM THE PAST
The Futility of Wisdom
12 I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I set my [n]mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is [o]a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. LEADERSHIP HAS ITS PERK BUT IT’S ALSO CHALLENGING.
14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is [p]vanity and striving after wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. CROOKS CAN CHANGE BECAUSE OF JESUS.
16 I [q]said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem
before me; and my [r]mind has observed [s]a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.” SOLOMON ASKED FOR WISDOM. 1 KINGS 3 (CUT BABY IN HALF) BUT HE DIDN’T HAVE WISDOM WITH 700 WIVES / 300 CONCUBINES
17 And I set my [t]mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. 18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. THE MORE WE KNOW THE MORE WE MAY REALIZE WE DON’T KNOW OR SHOULD’VE DONE. I’VE REGRETTED SOME THINGS I’VE DONE. IT MAY NOT BE UNTIL HEAVEN I REALIZE WHY GOD ALLOWED SOME THINGS TO HAPPEN, IF AT ALL.
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 1:2 Or Futility of futilities
b. Ecclesiastes 1:2 Or Futility of futilities
c. Ecclesiastes 1:2 Or futile
d. Ecclesiastes 1:4 Lit stands
e. Ecclesiastes 1:5 Lit panting
f. Ecclesiastes 1:6 Lit Going
g. Ecclesiastes 1:6 Lit turning
h. Ecclesiastes 1:7 Lit go
i. Ecclesiastes 1:7 Lit go
j. Ecclesiastes 1:7 Lit go
k. Ecclesiastes 1:11 Lit first or former
l. Ecclesiastes 1:11 Lit latter or after
m. Ecclesiastes 1:11 Lit latter or after
n. Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit heart
o. Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lit an evil
p. Ecclesiastes 1:14 Or futility
q. Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit spoke with my heart, saying
r. Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit heart
s. Ecclesiastes 1:16 Lit an abundance
t. Ecclesiastes 1:17 Lit heart
The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions-Entertainment, Great Works, Heritage, Riches and Glory
2:1 I said [a]to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So [b]enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. PLEASURE IS FUN FOR A SEASON.
2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
3 I explored with my [c]mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my [d]mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men [e]to do under heaven the few [f]years of their lives.
4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;
5 I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;
6 I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and I had [g]homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. THIS WAS OK THEN AND QUESTIONABLE NOW.
8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines. (300)
9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.
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. HIS HEART WAS PLEASED BUT WAS HIS SOUL / SPIRIT?
11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had [h]exerted, and behold all was [i]vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. HE DID NOT SEE THE BENEFITS OF DOING WHAT HE DID.
Wisdom Excels Folly
12 So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly; for what will the man do who will come after the king except what has already been done?
13 And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.
14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I know that one fate befalls them both.
15 Then I said [j]to myself, “As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been extremely wise?” So [k]I said to myself, “This too is vanity.” WISDOM CAN FAIL.
16 For there is no [l]lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool, inasmuch as in the coming days all will be forgotten. And how the wise man and the fool alike die!
17 So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was [m]grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IF WE HATE OUR LIFE. WE MAY NEED TO CHANGE WHAT WE ARE DOING.
The Futility of Labor
18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. WHO IS OUR FRUIT?
19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have [n]control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. THE LORD KNOWS IF OUR FRUIT WILL BE LONG LASTING.
20 Therefore I [o]completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.
21 When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his [p]legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what does a man get in all his labor and in [q]his striving with which he labors under the sun?
23 Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his [r]mind does not rest. This too is vanity. IF OUR MIND RACES, TRY PRAYER AND / OR WORSHIP.
24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and [s]tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY.
25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without [t]Him? AMEN
26 For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 2:1 Lit in my heart
b. Ecclesiastes 2:1 Lit consider with goodness
c. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit heart
d. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit heart
e. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit which they do
f. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Lit days
g. Ecclesiastes 2:7 Lit sons of the house
h. Ecclesiastes 2:11 Lit labored to do
i. Ecclesiastes 2:11 Or futility, and so throughout the ch
j. Ecclesiastes 2:15 Lit in my heart
k. Ecclesiastes 2:15 Lit I spoke in my heart
l. Ecclesiastes 2:16 Lit forever
m. Ecclesiastes 2:17 Lit evil
n. Ecclesiastes 2:19 Lit dominion
o. Ecclesiastes 2:20 Lit turned aside my heart to despair
p. Ecclesiastes 2:21 Lit share
q. Ecclesiastes 2:22 Lit the striving of his heart
r. Ecclesiastes 2:23 Lit heart
s. Ecclesiastes 2:24 Lit cause his soul to see good in his labor
t. Ecclesiastes 2:25 So Gr; Heb me
A Time for Everything - Philosophy - THIS IS A FAMOUS PASSAGE.
3:1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every [a]event under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?
10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
God Set Eternity in the Heart of Man DON RICHARDSON WROTE A BOOK WITH THIS TITLE THAT EVERY CULTURE HAS HINTS RE: CHRIST
11 He has made everything [b]appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, [c]yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;
13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL FOR EVERY DAY. WE DON’T KNOW OUR LAST ONE. WE’VE LOST SEVERAL INMATES AND STAFF RECENTLY.
14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should [d]fear Him. WE NEED TO FEAR THE LORD, THAT WE ARE RIGHT WITH CHRIST. ANOTHER WORD IS AWE. ARE WE IN AWE OF THE LORD?
15 That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.
16 Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of
righteousness there is wickedness.
17 I said [e]to myself, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every [f]matter and for every deed is there.
18 I said [g]to myself concerning the sons of men, “God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” WE MAY REVERT TO OUR SINFUL NATURE.
19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts [h]is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is [i]vanity. MAN HAS A SOUL, BEASTS DO NOT. I BELIEVE OUR PETS WILL BE IN HEAVEN.
20 All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. THIS MAY BE WHERE KANSAS’ SONG DUST IN THE WIND ORIGINATED. IT’S USED FOR ASH WEDNESDAY. I’M NOT CATHOLIC BUT I’VE SOMETIMES DONE THIS.
21 Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?
22 I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Lit delight
b. Ecclesiastes 3:11 Lit beautiful
c. Ecclesiastes 3:11 Or without which man
d. Ecclesiastes 3:14 Or be in awe before Him
e. Ecclesiastes 3:17 Lit in my heart
f. Ecclesiastes 3:17 Or delight
g. Ecclesiastes 3:18 Lit in my heart
h. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Lit and they have one fate
i. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Or futility
The Evils of Oppression-Philosophy
4:1 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
2 So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living. STRANGE
3 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.
4 I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is [a]vanity and striving after wind.
5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
8 There was a certain man without a [b]dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. THIS IS A WISE STATEMENT.
10 For if [c]either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not [d]another to lift him up.
11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they [e]keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? GENESIS 2:18: IT'S NOT GOOD FOR A MAN TO BE ALONE.
12 And if [f]one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. SOME SAY CHRIST HAS TO BE IN RELATIONSHIPS FOR IT TO BE STRONG.
13 A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive [g]instruction.
14 For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. CHUCK COLSON STARTED PRISON FELLOWSHIP AFTER HIS TIME INSIDE. PEOPLE CAN BE GREAT AFTER PRISON.
15 I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who [h]replaces him.
16 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Or futility, and so throughout the ch
b. Ecclesiastes 4:8 Lit second
c. Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit they fall
d. Ecclesiastes 4:10 Lit a second
e. Ecclesiastes 4:11 Lit have warmth
f. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Lit he
g. Ecclesiastes 4:13 Or warning
h. Ecclesiastes 4:15 Lit stands in his stead
Your Attitude Toward God-money
5:1 [a]Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. THAT’S WHY I WARN US ABOUT REMEMBERING CHURCH IS HOLY.
2 [b]Do not be hasty [c]in word or [d]impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. A FAMOUS SONG BY PHILIPPS CRAIG AND DEAN IS ABOUT THIS:
You are God in Heaven
And here am I on earth
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with you
And I'll stand in awe of you [Jesus]
Yes, I'll stand in awe of you
And I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You
The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to you
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus, I am so in love with You
3 For the dream comes through much [e]effort and the voice of a fool through many words.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! BE CAREFUL ABOUT PROMISING TO GOD.
5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
6 Do not let your [f]speech cause [g]you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? I DON’T WANT MY WORK DESTROYED.
7 For in many dreams and in many words there is [h]emptiness. Rather, [i]fear God.
8 If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the [j]sight; for one [k]official watches over another [l]official, and there are higher [m]officials over them. THERE ARE REGIONAL LEADERS, THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET, CONGRESS, THE SUPREME COURT, ETC.
9 After all, a king who cultivates the field is an advantage to the land.
The Folly of Riches
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is [n]vanity. THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. - 1 TIMOTHY 6:10
11 When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to [o]look on? TOO MUCH SUPPLY MEANS NO DEMAND.
12 The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the [p]full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep. DON’T EAT BEFORE BED. 😊
13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being [q]hoarded by their owner to his hurt. IT IS GOOD TO SAVE AND INVEST, BUT WE NEED TO TITHE.
14 When those riches were lost through [r]a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing [s]to support him. SOME SAY BUY LOW, SELL HI, DOLLAR COST AVERAGING (SCHWAB: “the practice of investing a fixed dollar amount on a regular basis, regardless of the share price.”), STAY IN IT FOR THE LONG TERM; BONDS
15 As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. THERE ISN’T A UHAUL BEHIND OUR HEARSE. 😊
16 This also is a grievous evil—exactly as a man [t]is born, thus will he [u]die. So what is the advantage to him who toils for the wind?
17 Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger. TURN ON THE LIGHT 😊
18 Here is what I have seen to be good and [v]fitting: to eat, to drink and [w]enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few [x]years of his life which God has given him; for this is his [y]reward. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY.
19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his [z]reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. HE WHO DOESN’T WORK DOESN’T EAT. WHERE?
20 For he will not often [aa]consider the [ab]years of his life, because God keeps [ac]him occupied with the gladness of his heart. A TENET OF RESILIENCY IS HUNT THE GOOD STUFF.
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 5:1 Ch 4:17 in Heb
b. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Heb
c. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Lit with your mouth
d. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Lit hurry your heart
e. Ecclesiastes 5:3 Lit task
f. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Lit mouth
g. Ecclesiastes 5:6 Lit your body
h. Ecclesiastes 5:7 Lit vanity
i. Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or revere
j. Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit delight
k. Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit high one
l. Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit high one
m. Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit ones
n. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Or futility
o. Ecclesiastes 5:11 Lit see with their eyes
p. Ecclesiastes 5:12 Lit satiety
q. Ecclesiastes 5:13 Lit guarded
r. Ecclesiastes 5:14 Lit an evil task
s. Ecclesiastes 5:14 Lit in his hand
t. Ecclesiastes 5:16 Lit comes
u. Ecclesiastes 5:16 Lit go
v. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Lit beautiful
w. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Lit see good
x. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Or days
y. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Or share
z. Ecclesiastes 5:19 Or share
aa. Ecclesiastes 5:20 Lit remember
bb. Ecclesiastes 5:20 Or days
cc. Ecclesiastes 5:20 So with Gr
The Futility of Life-money
6:1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent [a]among men— MORESO THAN BEFORE.
2 a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner [b]enjoys them. This is [c]vanity and a severe affliction. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS WE HAVE IN 2022.
3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many [d]they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he,
4 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. WHAT IS OUR LEGACY?
5 It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; [e]it is better off than he.
6 Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not [f]enjoy good things—do not all go to one place?” IT DEPENDS IF THEY KNOW CHRIST AS SAVIOR, IT RESULTS IN HEAVEN OR HELL.
7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the [g]appetite is not [h]satisfied. WE'RE ALWAYS HUNGRY.
8 For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living?
9 What the eyes see is better than what the soul [i]desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.
11 For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?
12 For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few [j]years of his futile life? He will [k]spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? LIFE GOES BY QUICKLY. EPHESIANS 5: 16 "MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIME"
Footnotes
a. Ecclesiastes 6:1 Lit upon
b. Ecclesiastes 6:2 Lit eats from them
c. Ecclesiastes 6:2 Or futility
d. Ecclesiastes 6:3 Lit the days of his years
e. Ecclesiastes 6:5 Lit more rest has this one than that
f. Ecclesiastes 6:6 Lit see
g. Ecclesiastes 6:7 Lit soul
h. Ecclesiastes 6:7 Lit filled
i. Ecclesiastes 6:9 Lit goes after
j. Ecclesiastes 6:12 Lit days
k. Ecclesiastes 6:12 Lit do
