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Futility of worldly achievement as the ultimate goal
When you live in the sarx, there's no lasting satisfaction
Pursuit of passion or fun is futile
Pursuit of a mind-altering substances, lust, and public service
Pursuit of culture and beauty 2
The futility of living in the sarx 2
To pursue wisdom is better than pursuing passion 2
Death comes equally to the wise or the foolish 3
Enjoy the moment as a gift from God 3
The timing of the matter is crucial. 3
God uses opposites 3
Find out the right time 3
Two suggestions: enjoy the moment and fear God 3
God allows evil 3
Find your God-given destiny 4
Evil is the source of tyranny and oppression 4
Two motives behind worldly success: envy and jealousy 4
Teamwork 4
Become a doer for God not just a dreamer 4
There is a demonic hierarchy in the heavenlies 4
Money brings worries rather than contentment 4
Health is needed so we can enjoy what God has given us 5
The pursuit of things 5
Each person must find their God-given purpose 5
Vigorously guard your reputation 5
Adversity can refine us 5
Beware of flattery and gifts 5
Obtain the earthly through wealth or wisdom 5
Recognize both the spiritual and natural reality of situations 6
Nothing is certain in this life 6
With God things go well; do all things with vigor 6
Don't question God's timing for judgment 6
Live with an understanding of the providence of God 6
Guard yourself from always doing 6
Fate of providence 6
The best don't always win 7
Bad luck 7
Wisdom is no guarantee that others will appreciate you. Sometimes you need wealth too. 7
A small mistake can have a large effect 7
Injustice is a part of this world's system; accept this. 7
There are risks in all activity; don't run from it. 7
Preparation is a key for success 7
Don't accept words based on a faulty premise 8
No one can know for certainty what the future will hold 8
Become a giver and give to many 8
Recognize reality, but don't wait for perfect conditions 8
Be flexible and keep your options open 8
Always keep the perspective of eternity fresh in your mind 8
Do everything that's in your heart, yet remember you're accountable to God 8
Accountability give us the proper balance to a free will 8
Let every word of your mouth help another person 9
Avoid endless and futile speculation 9
God alone will judge us 9
Futility of worldly achievement as the ultimate goal
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Eccl 1:2-3 In my opinion, nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile. For what does a man get for all his hard work? Generations come and go, but it makes no difference. The sun rises and sets and hurries around to rise again.
This is not a statement of pure pessism, but rather a full comprehension of two realms of reality: the spiritual and the earthly. When we make earthly pursuits are sole or ultimate aim, sooner or later we will come to an understanding of the futility of our position. This is because no earthly achievement or goal can ultimately satisfy. By nature earthly pursuits remain locked in the transitory place of sense experience and appreciation. And all of us instinctively know they must eventually pass away into dust.
When you live in the sarx, there's no lasting satisfaction
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Eccl 1:8 No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied; no matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself.
Sarx is a Greek word used to denote the combination of soul (the seat of the intellect, emotions, and will) with the body. It's used extensively by Paul in the New Covenant epistles. I like to use it, since once its meaning is grasped by reader or listener, upon seeing it they'll understand instantly that I'm relating about the difference between things earthly and spiritual. Here the passage speaks of the fact that two sense experiences, sight and sound, are unable to confer contentment. This is much along the lines of the previous commentary. The main point here is that sense experience and spiritual experience are as different as swimming and flying. Both transport you but through very different media. Never forget that the spiritual inherently has both pre-eminency and ultimate control over the natural or sense realm.
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Eccl 1:12 What is wrong cannot be righted; it is water over the dam; and there is no use thinking of what might have been.
Here's an important lesson that all of us must eventually learn or we're bound for a life of unhappiness and regret. Past negative happenings that cannot be changed are a definite reality that must be squarely be faced. These are the might-have-beens and could-have-beens of our lives. We all tend to embrace fantasizing about possibilities that never happened. This type of mythical thinking is an ego defense to loss or perceived loss. We project our defeats onto unfavorable circumstances, acts of nature, or people who we perceived blocked our way on the road to success. Some take this to an extreme resulting in paranoia.
I find it interesting that the author asks us to consider wrongs that "cannot be righted." Perhaps this is more difficult for most of us. It's one thing to face a sickness, death, or another tragedy that is clearly beyond our human control, but quite another to confront betrayal, injustice, or desertion. There's no way to justify these happenings as anything but the outcome of a fallen creation and creature. Sooner or later most of us learn to live within a world where human deceit is common, but triumphing over it seems less common or possible. It is here that we must turn to the supernatural, to trust that the God of creation is the knower of all wrongs done to us, past, present, and future. He knows all, yet at the same time He is always looking out for our good, turning evil into good for those willing to see life from heaven's vantage point.
Pursuit of passion or fun is futile
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Eccl 2:1-2 I said to myself, "Come now, be merry; enjoy yourself to the full." But I found that this, too, was futile. For it is silly to be laughing all the time; what good does it do?
Pursuit of a mind-altering substances, lust, and public service
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Eccl. 2:3-4 So after a lot of thinking, I decided to try the road of drink, while still holding steadily to my course of seeking wisdom. Next I changed my course again and followed the path of folly, so that I could experience the only happiness most men have throughout their lives. Then I tried to find fulfillment by inaugurating a great public works program: homes, vineyards, gardens, parks, and orchards for myself, and reservoirs to hold the water to irrigate my plantations.
Eccl 2:8 In the cultural arts, I organized men's and women's choirs and orchestras. And then there were my many beautiful concubines.
The futility of living in the sarx
Eccl 2:11 But as I looked at everything I had tried, it was all so useless, a chasing of the wind, and there was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
To pursue wisdom is better than pursuing passion
Eccl 2:12-13 Now I began a study of the comparative virtues of wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusion I did--that wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness; for the wise man sees, while the fool is blind.
Death comes equally to the wise or the foolish
Eccl 2:14-16 And yet I noticed that there was one thing that happened to wise and foolish alike--just as the fool will die, so will I. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I realized that even wisdom is futile. For the wise and fool both die, and in the days to come both will be long forgotten.
Enjoy the moment as a gift from God
Eccl 2:24-26 So I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy apart from him? For God gives those who please him wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away from him and gives it to those who please him. So here, too, we see an example of foolishly chasing the wind.
The timing of the matter is crucial.
Eccl 3:1 There is a right time for everything
Eccl 3:2 A time to be born; A time to die; A time to plant; A time to harvest ...
Eccl 3:11 Everything is appropriate in its own time. But though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, even so, many cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.
Two suggestions: enjoy the moment and fear God
Eccl 3:12-14 So I conclude that, first, there is nothing better for a man than to be happy and to enjoy himself as long as he can; and second, that he should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of his labors, for these are gifts from God. And I know this, that whatever God does is final-- nothing can be added or taken from it; God's purpose in this is that man should fear the all-powerful God.
Eccl 3:18 And then I realized that God is letting the world go on its sinful way so that he can test mankind, and so that men themselves will see that they are no better than beasts.
Eccl 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for men than that they should be happy in their work, for that is what they are here for, and no one can bring them back to life to enjoy what will be in the future, so let them enjoy it now.
Evil is the source of tyranny and oppression
Eccl 4:1 Next I observed all the oppression and sadness throughout the earth-- the tears of the oppressed, and no one helping them, while on the side of their oppressors were powerful allies.
Two motives behind worldly success: envy and jealousy
Eccl 4:4 Then I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy! But this, too, is foolishness, chasing the wind.
Eccl 4:9-10 Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he's in trouble.
Become a doer for God not just a dreamer
Eccl 5:6 Dreaming instead of doing is foolishness, and there is ruin in a flood of empty words; fear God instead.
There is a demonic hierarchy in the heavenlies
Eccl 5:8-9 If you see some poor man being oppressed by the rich, with miscarriage of justice anywhere throughout the land, don't be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and the higher officials look up to their superiors. And so the matter is lost in red tape and bureaucracy. And over them all is the king. Oh, for a king who is devoted to his country! Only he can bring order from this chaos.
Money brings worries rather than contentment
Eccl 5:10-12 He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income. So what is the advantage of wealth-- except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your fingers! The man who works hard sleeps well whether he eats little or much, but the rich must worry and suffer insomnia.
Health is needed so we can enjoy what God has given us
Eccl 6:1-2 Yes, but there is a very serious evil which I have seen everywhere--God has given to some men very great wealth and honor so that they can have everything they want, but he doesn't give them the health to enjoy it, and they die and others get it all! This is absurd, a hollow mockery, and a serious fault.
Eccl 6:7-10 Wise men and fools alike spend their lives scratching for food and never seem to get enough. Both have the same problem, yet the poor man who is wise lives a far better life. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; mere dreaming of nice things is foolish; it's chasing the wind. All things are decided by fate; it was known long ago what each man would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.
Each person must find their God-given purpose
Eccl 6:12 In these few days of our empty lifetimes, who can say how one's days can best be spent? Who can know what will prove best for the future after he is gone? For who knows the future?
Vigorously guard your reputation
Eccl 7:1 A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. The day one dies is better than the day he is born!
Eccl 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Eccl 7:5-7 It is better to be criticized by a wise man than to be praised by a fool! For a fool's compliment is as quickly gone as paper in fire, and it is silly to be impressed by it. The wise man is turned into a fool by a bribe; it destroys his understanding.
Obtain the earthly through wealth or wisdom
Eccl 7:11-12 To be wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. You can get anything by either wisdom or money, but being wise has many advantages.
Recognize both the spiritual and natural reality of situations
Eccl 7:13 See the way God does things and fall into line. Don't fight the facts of nature.] Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
Nothing is certain in this life
Eccl 7:14-15 Enjoy prosperity whenever you can, and when hard times strike, realize that God gives one as well as the other-- so that everyone will realize that nothing is certain in this life. In this silly life I have seen everything, including the fact that some of the good die young and some of the wicked live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don't be too wicked either-- don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time?
With God things go well; do all things with vigor
Eccl 7:18 Tackle every task that comes along, and if you fear God you can expect his blessing.
Don't question God's timing for judgment
Eccl 8:11 Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.
Live with an understanding of the providence of God
Eccl 8:14 There is a strange thing happening here upon the earth: Providence seems to treat some good men as though they were wicked, and some wicked men as though they were good. This is all very vexing and troublesome!
Guard yourself from always doing
Eccl 8:16 In my search for wisdom I observed all that was going on everywhere across the earth-- ceaseless activity, day and night. (Of course, only God can see everything, and even the wisest man who says he knows everything, doesn't!)
Eccl 9:1-2 This, too, I carefully explored-- that godly and wise men are in God's will; no one knows whether he will favor them or not. All is chance! The same providence confronts everyone, whether good or bad, religious or irreligious, profane or godly. It seems so unfair that one fate comes to all. That is why men are not more careful to be good but instead choose their own mad course, for they have no hope-- there is nothing but death ahead anyway.
Eccl 9:11 Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle, and that wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance, by happening to be at the right place at the right time.
Eccl 9:12 A man never knows when he is going to run into bad luck. He is like a fish caught in a net, or a bird caught in a snare.
Wisdom is no guarantee that others will appreciate you. Sometimes you need wealth too.
Eccl 9:13-16 Here is another thing that has made a deep impression on me as I have watched human affairs: There was a small city with only a few people living in it, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. There was in the city a wise man, very poor, and he knew what to do to save the city, and so it was rescued. But afterwards no one thought any more about him. Then I realized that though wisdom is better than strength, nevertheless, if the wise man is poor, he will be despised, and what he says will not be appreciated.
A small mistake can have a large effect
Eccl 9:18-10:1 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one rotten apple can spoil a barrelful. Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, a small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor.
Injustice is a part of this world's system; accept this.
Eccl 10:6-7 For I have seen foolish men given great authority and rich men not given their rightful place of dignity! I have even seen servants riding, while princes walk like servants!
There are risks in all activity; don't run from it.
Eccl 10:8 Dig a well-- and fall into it! Demolish an old wall-- and be bitten by a snake! When working in a quarry, stones will fall and crush you! There is risk in each stroke of your axe!
Preparation is a key for success
Eccl 10:10-11 A dull axe requires great strength; be wise and sharpen the blade. When the horse is stolen, it is too late to lock the barn.
Don't accept words based on a faulty premise
Eccl 10:12 It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but a fool's speech brings him to ruin. Since he begins with a foolish premise, his conclusion is sheer madness.
No one can know for certainty what the future will hold
Eccl 10:14 A fool knows all about the future and tells everyone in detail! But who can really know what is going to happen?
Become a giver and give to many
Eccl 11:1-2 Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for in the days ahead you yourself may need much help.
Recognize reality, but don't wait for perfect conditions
Eccl 11:3-4 When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down; when a tree falls, whether south or north, the die is cast, for there it lies. If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Be flexible and keep your options open
Eccl 11:6 Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow-- perhaps it all will.
Always keep the perspective of eternity fresh in your mind
Eccl 11:7-8 It is a wonderful thing to be alive! If a person lives to be very old, let him rejoice in every day of life, but let him also remember that eternity is far longer and that everything down here is futile in comparison.
Do everything that's in your heart, yet remember you're accountable to God
Eccl 11:9 Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it! Do all you want to; take in everything, but realize that you must account to God for everything you do.
Accountability give us the proper balance to a free will
Eccl 12:1-2 Don't let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. Honor him in your youth before the evil years come-- when you'll no longer enjoy living. It will be too late then to try to remember him when the sun and light and moon and stars are dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among your clouds.
Let every word of your mouth help another person
Eccl 12:11 The wise man's words are like goads that spur to action. They nail down important truths. Students are wise who master what their teachers tell them.
Avoid endless and futile speculation
Eccl 12:12 But, my son, be warned: there is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!
Eccl 12:14 For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.