Title Exposition 1 on Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 01:1)
Contents Ecclesiastes introduces himself as the 'Son of David' and the man who became 'King of Israel in Jerusalem.' He is Solomon. He explains the fact that he cannot find meaning in the light of his own experience. He dominates, and in the end he has no choice but to confess that he is 'futile.' By suggesting a way of life for people who do not have God in their heart, Such a life is emptiness and emptiness in every moment, such as human toil (1:14, 2:11,17), wisdom (2:15), wealth (2:26, 5:10, 6:2), honor (4:16), pleasure (2:1-2), youth and strength (11:10), life (6:12, 7:15), death (11:8), etc. Everything in human affairs is included. While warning of the futility, Solomon finally declares that the true meaning of life 'under the sun' can be found only in God. Therefore, it is recommended that all people should fear God alone.
Chapter 1 Life without God Solomon shows the way of life without God. It is a life of nihilism. He declares, 'Vanity and vanity, vanity and vanity, all things are vanity' (verse 2). Here The word 'vain' means 'a generous breath or mist' or 'no matter how hard you try, you can't get your hands on it and it's empty'. We need to know that without God we try and try to grab something, but we can't catch anything.
Solomon here shows us the three paths that life without God pursues.
First, the way of intellectualism. (1:12-18) How does modern education evaluate people? Modern education is evaluated according to the level of knowledge and its value is determined. That is, it is evaluated according to how much is in the head. This makes people desperately feel that they are being computerized and mechanized in modern times. It is no exaggeration to say that human misery begins here. This fact is well proven in the field of life of educated modern people. It is true that modern people have gained a lot from the accumulation of knowledge. If you think about it soberly, it is easy to see that much is lost. The lack of love in the intellectual society and the fear of war making us uneasy is a prime example. Why this happens is that God has in his heart because there is no
1. What about knowledge that God is not at the center? (verse 17)
2. What does God say that knowledge and wisdom not at the center add? (18)
3. What do you think of knowledge? Without God at the center, knowledge is worthless and meaningless. The knowledge that God has at the center gives infinite value and meaning to life. This is the true purpose of knowledge that God has granted.
Second, the path of hedonism (2:1-11) Many people think that enjoying pleasure is the only true joy in life. This is the path of life without God. They think that eating, drinking, and having fun is the best, and they live that way. As Solomon recalls his life, he confesses the futility of pleasure.
What is it saying in verse 1.2:1? He is telling us to try to please himself and enjoy himself. And he goes on to tell us how he enjoys pleasure.
.Laughter (verse 2) .Joy (verse 2) .Alcohol (verse 3) .Business (verse 4) .Build a big house (Verse 4) .Orchard .Luxury house (Pond, swimming pool) (Verse 6) .Slave (7) Verse) .Wealth, gold (Verse 8) .Singers (Verse 8) .Wives and concubines (Verse 8) .Securities...
2. My eyes do what they want (verse 10)
3. It does not prevent my heart from rejoicing (verse 10) The evangelist confesses that the conclusion he makes after taking all that life has is 'vain'. It is futile to seek pleasure without God.
Third, the way of materialism (2:18-26) People cannot live apart from material things. Many people enjoy life because of material things, but they also lead miserable lives because of it.
As such, matter occupies an important place in life. Let's find out what Solomon said.
1. To whom does the income from my hard work go (verse 18)
2. What does the material obtained through hard work do to my heart (verse 20)
3. What do you say that you have achieved only through hard work? (Verse 24) It is widely believed that Solomon's conclusion about material things is also futile. Truly, it is said that all paths of life without God at the center are vain. How should we live? As Solomon concludes all of this, he seriously poses three questions to life.
First, what is eternal in this world (verse 4)
1. What do you think is eternal? Nothing is eternal in this world. Because everything we see in this world changes. In fact, everything we see is imperfect, and the truth is that it is not certain and changes little by little. Therefore, God is good He did not depend on material things, but through the word of God, he made all people have faith. This is the great grace of God.
2. What does 1 John 2:17 say? There are only three things that are eternal in this world. It is a person who does God, God's Word, and God's will. Do you know anything else that is eternal? Do you truly enjoy the blessings of eternity in God? Second, what satisfies me (verse 8).
1. What do you think can satisfy you?
2. What does Ecclesiastes 5:10 say that those who love silver cannot be satisfied with what?
3. Also, it is said that even those who love abundance are not satisfied with their income. Do you think so? The Bible testifies that human beings cannot be satisfied with anything.
This is a general fact that all human beings should be aware of. Nevertheless, many people go through life completely ignoring this fact. For this reason, they fight for the rest of their lives to be satisfied with something full. However, in a reality that is not fulfilled despite endless efforts, humans struggle with desperate despair. How is your life?
4. What does Psalm 23:1 say? Man can be truly satisfied when he is with God. Because God is the master of all things. David confessed that God is his shepherd, so he lacked nothing. have. We desperately need a confession of faith like David. This is because human beings are born to enjoy true satisfaction only with God.
Third, what is new in this world (verse 9)
1. What do you think is new? Human ideas about new things are common. Man has a great desire for new things. Many people like new things and want to own them. But Solomon declares that there is nothing new under the sun.
2. Who is said to be new in 2 Corinthians 5:17 The real new thing can only be human beings who are re-created as new creatures in Christ. God says that only those who are regenerated are new. Have you become a new creation through Jesus Christ?