ECCLESIASTES #2 of 12: Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 – THE ELUSIVE MEANING OF LIFE
People are looking in many different places for the true meaning of life.
Just like the people of Solomon’s day, people are looking for a purpose for living.
Also like the people of Solomon’s day, people are looking in the wrong places.
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN HUMAN PHILOSOPHY (WHAT I THINK) 1:12-18
Solomon made a search of human wisdom “under the sun”. He looked at wisdom that does not include God and found it to be “vexation of spirit” (Vs. 17). He also found it to cause grief (Vs. 18)
This is not a contradiction to Solomon’s declarations of the value of wisdom in Proverbs.
In Ecclesiastes Solomon talks of human wisdom. In Proverbs Solomon talks of God’s wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 2:1-9, 4:5-7, 9:10)
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN PLEASURE (WHAT I ENJOY) 2:1-3
Solomon tried to find the meaning of life in the pleasures of this world, and found that it was “vanity”. Although God is not opposed to our enjoying ourselves, overindulgence is always discouraged. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is “temperance” or self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN PROJECTS (WHAT I DO) 2:4-6
Solomon involved himself with great building projects, such as the temple, his own palace, and the building of cities. These did not bring true satisfaction. The Bible encourages us to work (Colossians 3: 17, 23), but work is not to be our God.
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS NOT FOUND IN POSSESSIONS (WHAT I HAVE) 2:7-11
Solomon did not find true satisfaction and the meaning of true life in what he owned (Luke 12:15).
He was an extremely rich man (1 Kings 9:10-28).
THE MEANING OF LIFE IS FOUND IN A PERSON (WHO I KNOW) Colossians 1:13-20, John 14:6, Philippians 1:21, 3:4-11
We go to the New Testament to find the true meaning of life. It is found in the person of Christ!
When we know Christ as Savior and Lord we know the real meaning of life.