All is vanity

All is vanity

Scripture:- I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 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. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:14-18

Observation:- The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by the wisest king Israel had ever known, King Solomon. Likely written towards the end of his life, King Solomon begins to conclude that everything done under the sun is vanity. Every great work a man may do, every great achievement, every great boast - at the core of it all of it is meaningless. King Solomon had done everything – accumulated great wealth, built great, magnificent buildings, made the best and fastest ships, amassed deep wisdom and knowledge. Basically, he achieved whatever he could think of achieving and more. Yet, despite all he had, despite all he did, he concluded at the end of the day that it had no real meaning or lasting value to him.

God allowed Solomon to go through all that as an important lesson to the world – that all efforts at selfish personal gain and advancement is at the end of it, meaningless. Jesus said “Whoever finds his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for my sake will find it” Matthew 10:39 Knowing God is more important than great academic results, earning lots of money or being a famous person. It is more important than anything we could do.

Solomon gave his heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. Perhaps he looked for meaning and salvation in wisdom, but he realized instead that in much wisdom is much grief. Why does knowledge increase sorrow? The more we know about ourselves and the shortness of our lives, the more we begin to realize the futility of man’s wild chasing of riches, achievement and fame.

David prayed in the Psalms “Teach me to number my days aright that I might gain a heart of wisdom”. Each day is precious and we must learn to appreciate it as we walk with the Lord

Application:- Watch that we don’t place too much importance on temporal things and achievements. Learn to be content and thankful day by day for the basic things that we have and appreciate them with humility

Prayer: Lord, help me realize that every endeavor under the sun is meaningless without You. Let me be happy and thankful for the things that I have each new day, and may I always hope in your grace and mercy which is new every morning. In Jesus name, Amen