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The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
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I Introduction (vv.1,2) II The uselessness of all struggles (vv.3-11) a) The ineffectiveness of human efforts (vv.3-8) b) The futility of all endeavor (vv.9-11) III The futility of human knowledge (vv.12-18)
VERSE 1: We read in the opening phrase: "the words of the preacher", the book of Ecclesiastes begins with a mention of words. Ecclesiastes is part of the Holy Bible and we know from the entire Bible that these words are not really the words of men, although transcribed by them; they are the words of God. We therefore know the "the words of the preacher" are God's words. To attribute the "of" to Solomon and not God shows how often in the Bible it is not the big words with many letters that cause error, rather requently it is the small words such as "of", "all", "as", etc.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21).
The words of the Bible typify the LORD Jesus Christ, who is the very essence of the word:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1,14).
Although Noah was also called a preacher (2 Peter 2:5); Ecclesiastes is the only book in which the word is found in the Old Testament, where it appears seven times (Ecclesiates 1:1; 1:2; 1:12; 7:27; 12:8; 12:9; 12:10). The Greek word translated "Preacher" is found four times in the KJV: (Romans 10:14; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; 2 Peter 2:5).
The phrase "son of David" attributes the authorship to Solomon. Many liberal critics have come to deny this and their folly is not worthy of address. No other son of David besides Solomon was king of Jerusalem.
VERSE 2: The word "vanity" comes from the original Hebrew habel or hebel and means "meaningless" or "emptiness". The term is repeated "vanity of vanities" in order to show the utmost vanity. Now again we must be careful with the little word "all". In what sense is all vanity? I believe the meaning points to ALL the things of the physical world as vanity. For surely there are spiritual things that are not vanity such as God and His word. When things of the world are substituted for God, this indeed is vanity:
"Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them." (Psalm 39:6).
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Matthew 6:33,34).
VERSES 3-5: In verse three we have a spiritual portrait of the fact that we are not saved by works, this is repeated in 2:11;3:9 and 5:16. The sun is a picture of Christ who comes as the sun of righteousness:
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 4:2,3).
The sun rising and setting in v.5 I believe points to the resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ , note similar language in Psalm 19:6 and 113:3.
The mention in verse four that the earth abideth or remains forever refers not to the earth in its present form, for we know this earth will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10) and a new heavens and earth created:
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." (Isaiah 65:17-19).
VERSES 6-8: The word "wind" comes from the Hebrew word "rauch", as in Genesis 1:2.
The word is associated with the Holy Spirit:
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8).
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22).
The spiritual meaning points to the gospel; it will return, but surely not void.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:9-13).
The first half of the second paragraph here in chapter one, which we have outlined "the ineffectiveness of human efforts" concludes with verse eight where all things are described as "full of labor" or "wearisome" (NAS). Indeed this is true and who but Jesus to offer us rest?
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).
VERSES 9-11: Here in the third paragraph in chapter one, the inspired author continues along the theme concerning the futility of life. The statement that there is "no new thing under the sun" is to be understood in that just as Adam & Eve were sinners and in need of a Saviour, so is mankind today; likewise, the sins and sinful nature of mankind are just the same as they were in Noah's day:
"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:37-39).
However, we must also note that the book of Daniel teaches in end times knowledge of a spiritual nature will be increased:
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:1-4).
In verse 11 we have the most intense point thus far of the opening chapter as the paragraph concludes with a spiritual portrait of salvation. This offers much hope. Of course, this hope would have never been possible if not for the LORD Jesus Christ. The fact that this points to salvation can be discerned by comparing scripture:
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." (Isaiah 65:17).
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17,18).
"God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5).
Weiss, quoted in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown wrote:
"with which this verse is connected, the six intermediate verses being merely illustrations of Ecclesiastes 1:4 [WEISS]."
VERSES 12,13: Here we have a spiritual portrait of the LORD Jesus Christ. The preacher (Ecclesiates 1:1) or son of David being a picture of Christ (compare Matthew 1:1,20:21:9; Romans 1:3). The first half of v.13 points to Christ as judge, He is wisdom. The later half of the verse connects in the sense that Christ's judgement is upon the sons (plural) of men. Solomon writes concerning to seek and search by wisdom all that has been done under heaven. The difference in seek and search being seek comes from the Hebrew word darash meaning to inquire whereas search is from the word tur that would indicate to go about or spy out.
Perhaps what makes the study of the world sore travail or grevious task, literally evil, is the whole generation of mankind and its troubles. Sin, the fall of man, and the eventual increase in wickedness that will increase until the second coming of Christ is surely a burden for the view of good in retrospect. God has given this task to mankind in order that they may humble themselves.
VERSES 14,15: Mankind's lust over the material pleasures of the world is idolotry and vexation of spirit or striving after the wind. But even those who have come to know the goodness in Christ should understand even our best attempts very often cannot make that which is crooked straight:
"Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?" (Ecclesiastes 7:13).
The word crooked here is from the Hebrew avath and is the only placed used in the Bible, it means to prevert. Wanting comes from chesron which also is found only once and signifies to lack. or lacking. In other words, the human race cannot be fully counted for because it is so broken it is beyond any accurate calculation, it cannot be figured. All things can only go according to God's good will.
"Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." (Romans 9:18).
VERSES 16-18: The spiritual portrait of their being much grief in knowledge points to the understanding that the saints will come into understanding of spiritual things such as judgements as their spiritual eyes and ears are opened by the LORD. So this actually takes the idea of the earlier part of the first chapter a step further; not only do we see such things, but also as we witness the word remains unheard by those without spiritual ears and eyes which only the LORD can give for we know salvation rests in Him alone.
The word folly in general relates to foolishness, or a fool, which in turn is a picture of an unsaved person. Outside of the book of Ecclesiastes, the word madness is found twice in the King James Version of the Old Testament, in both instances it is associated with judgement.
"The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof." (Deuteronomy 28:28-31).
"In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness." (Zechariah 12:4).
As we live our lives we know we have failed miserable and we can humbly that there is no one who does good in the sight of God. Yet, we can know that all things work together according to His good will and that the hope of Christ abounds today:
"But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:25-28).
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