About Ecclesiastes!

Knowledge or Wisdom

So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity." For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool! Ecclesiastes. 2:15,16.

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23,24

Pleasure

"All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied" Ecclesiastes. 6:7.

Many people will say, "You only live once, so grab all the pleasure you can get." Solomon tried it. He grabbed for all the pleasures of life; but he realized that all were less fulfilling and didn't taste so great.

Whatever the pleasurable pursuit, the end result is the same--it doesn't give lasting fulfillment.

Work

For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful and his work grievous; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity Ecclesiastes. 2:22,23.

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God."For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment without Him? Ecclesiastes. 2:24, 25

Loving

The lesson we can learn in Ecclesiastes is that sharing your love for other is noble, but your love should be primarily be given God to have everlasting significance.

Loving others, as good as it is, falls short of giving the foundation on which to build our lives. We need a reason to love that goes beyond this life, a love that is rooted in the love of God 1 John 4:7--5:3.

As the Scriptures tell us, the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength; and the second great commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. God is primary; others, secondary.