April 18, 2021

WISE WORDS: UNDER THE SUN

April 18. 2021

Pastor Charles Billingsley

If you have a young person in your life, what seems to be their focus as they contemplate their agenda as an adult? Are you pleased to see the decisions they make, no matter how minor?

Today is our second message in our mini-series of “Wise Words,” as we focus on the wisdom of Solomon while reading the Bible through in six months. We will look at the book of Ecclesiastes, the last of his three books, written when he was an older man, looking back on his life. Even in a life journey fraught with mistakes on every side, he was able to come to a correct conclusion, that it is God, and God alone, who gives us everything we have in our lives and our whole duty is to Him. As we witness among acquaintances, it is a wonderful book to pull from the Old Testament, as it speaks to today’s generation who are searching for the meaning of life. We all know someone who longs to understand why their life is empty, and how they can fill the void.

Focal Passages: The Book of Ecclesiastes; James 4:14; Genesis 2:5-11; Colossians 3:1-3.

            Solomon’s Search for Meaning

                  In Education

  • Read Eccl. 1:1-3. Before looking at Solomon’s searches for meaning to life, we need to look at his manner of writing. What is the single word he used often in this book? What did it mean? Why was this word important to him?
  • Besides the word “Hevel” (vapor, smoke, short-lived), Solomon had an expression that he used often; what was it? What was significant about it? What did he mean by often saying “under the sun”?
  • Read Eccl. 1:12-18. How does it seem Solomon was feeling as he wrote this passage? In verse 14, why was he frustrated? In the same verse, he uses a phrase that he will use in most chapters: “striving after (or, chasing) the wind.” What sense of futility is implied by these words? In verse 18b, what has he learned from this pursuit? Was he fulfilled? Do you know anyone like that? Have they gained the happiness they tried so hard to find?

In Hedonism

  • Read 2:1-3. What pursuits does he strive for in these three verses? Did he find his heart’s desire?
  • As he ended verse 3, why did Solomon use a word that could be translated “few”? Is that how most of us view the length of our life? Why or why not?

In Personal Accomplishments or Materialism

  • Read 2:4-10a. What were some of the things Solomon sought to do or get during this time, as he tried to satisfy his emptiness? In verse 8, what does he seem to have acquired during this phase of his life?
  • Read verse 10b. What was his opinion of his accomplishments? Read verse 11. When we see “Yet,” what are we to assume? What was his final summation?

Conclusion #1—We all die

  • Read Eccl. 2:12-17. What conclusion did Solomon come to as he studied the differences of those who live foolishly and those who live wisely?
  • How did his attitude seem in verses 16-17? How much truth was in his statements? Can you explain your answer?

Conclusion #2—Someone gets your stuff

  • Read Eccl. 2:18-23. What was Solomon’s final conclusion as he looked at his wealth? Is this still a concern today for people who have riches? Should it be a matter that one gives considerable thought to? Explain your answer.
  • He ends by calling this conclusion “a great evil.” What did he mean?

Conclusion #3—But it’s all in God’s hands

  • Read Eccl. 2:24. What did Solomon think that he had learned? Was his lesson tied directly to his labor, or could it be separate from it? Explain.
  • Read 2:25 and 12:1, 13-14. What is Solomon’s final conclusion? Was he correct?
  • Would a person who wants to spend their life bringing people to Christ be more fulfilled than the person who lives for themselves? Can you reconcile both?

Close

Most of us will never have the riches nor wisdom of Solomon. Even so, to read of a man who had everything he could ever have wanted only to lose it, is one of the biggest catastrophes we can imagine. But in a lesser way, aren’t we all susceptible to such a falling away? To get fixated upon our “stuff” can turn our hearts away from the Giver of all things.

As you journeyed with Solomon through his highs and lows as he sought to find the purpose in life, did you often sense futility, anger, frustration, or confusion? Those are some of the real feelings of those who want to fill the void in their lives but don’t know how.

Can we help? As mentioned in opening, Ecclesiastes can make an open door into an unbeliever’s life if they read it, and then be open to discussion. When we were created, God placed a emptiness in our soul that is filled only by a relationship with Him. Until one decides to live for Him, life will be meaningless. If only the world could see this!

We must remember that life is “smoke”—a vapor that is here today and gone tomorrow, with the years flying by. We want to make our lives count for Christ. Even Solomon himself realized what was important as he wrote in Proverbs 11:30, “he who wins souls is wise.” May we internalize that truth!