Day #4: The Five Pursuits

 To understand Ecclesiastes more fully, we must first understand the various meanings of the word translated "vanity". In the introduction to his book on Ecclesiastes, John MacArthur accurately points out that the term "vanity" is used in at least three ways throughout the book:

"In each case, it looks at the nature of man's activity as fleeting, which has in view the vapor-like or transitory nature of life; futile, which focuses on the cursed condition of the universe and the debilitating effects it has on man's experience; or incomprehensible, which gives consideration to life's unanswerable questions." (1 Kings 1-11, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, MacArthur Bible Studies, page xii)

These meanings can be discerned by the context in which they are used.  For the passages on wisdom and understanding, incomprehensible is usually meant.  When dealing with life and death, fleeting seems to fit best. When searching for meaning, futile is appropriate. 

In chapters 1 and 2 we get a quick overview of five common pursuits of man "under the sun".  For each one he shows their futility:

1. Accomplishments
2. Wisdom
3. Pleasure
4. Materialism
5. Hard Work

 Accomplishments

I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied. I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile—like chasing the wind! What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied. (Ec 1:12-15)

God is the one that gives people the task of working on various endeavors.  This is a great blessing. We find satisfaction in our work, and it serves as a healthy distraction.    However, if the goal of our work is great attainments, we are chasing the wind.  It is so easy to think that if I can accomplish something truly significant then that makes me significant.  This is an elusive dream.  For one thing, it is rare to accomplish anything significant.  And even for those who do succeed, there is usually a big let-down once it is completed.  The act of trying to succeed was more fulfilling than succeeding. Some have called this the thrill of the chase.  Chasing after it was more exciting than having it.  Bottom line, there is no lasting fulfillment in great accomplishments.

Wisdom

I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.” So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind! For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache. (Ec 1:16-18)

It may seem strange that Solomon would critique the pursuit of wisdom, especially when you consider that he had written over 3,000 proverbs.  Many of these extol the virtue of wisdom. In a dream God told him he could ask for one thing, and he chose wisdom.  He was given supernatural wisdom by God as a result.  Can this be the same person that now questions the value of wisdom and knowledge?

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding. For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold. She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her. (Pr 3:13-15)

How do we reconcile what Solomon says here with his critique of wisdom? A careful reading of the text shows that he is really talking about two different types of wisdom.  When he refers to "wisdom and knowledge" he is talking of what we would call "secular wisdom". This is a reference to gaining greater knowledge.

Our use of wisdom is normally associated with spiritual or moral understanding.  He thinks of it in a much broader sense that often includes understanding of the way things work.  That helps explain why he might see the pursuit of wisdom as futile.   Paul had a similar perspective when he wrote…

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.”Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish? (1 Cor 1:19-20)

Like Paul, Solomon seems to be critiquing the value of secular wisdom as opposed to the true knowledge of God and His ways in Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

We might ask why great wisdom leads to greater frustration and heartache.  Maybe it’s because the person with secular wisdom sees more than others.  With greater understanding he perceives the inconsistencies in himself and others.   Too much reflection can also breed morbid introspection. Maybe greater secular wisdom brings arrogance and pride.  From this perspective it is easy to understand why he suggests there is no lasting fulfillment in it. True wisdom is to be sought; secular wisdom is futile.

Pleasure

I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile. I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!” I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives. (Ec 2:1-3)

This almost sounds like an experiment in pleasure.  He deliberately indulged himself to see what the results would be.  Of course, he had his 700 wives and 300 concubines for sensual pleasure.  He also looks at partying and drinking specifically.  He concludes that partying is folly and self-indulgent pleasure accomplishes nothing.  If we remember that in Song of Solomon, he points out the great value in romantic love. He extols the beautiful pleasure of sex between husband and wife.  Plus, there is the added benefit of children which result.  On the contrary, all sexual promiscuity is by nature unproductive and destructive.  In our day pornography presents itself as a type of pseudo sex.  This too has no worthwhile results. And sexual additions are rampant. 

Pleasure has with it a temporary thrill.  We get a rush from sex, alcohol, and drugs. I suppose this is its attraction.  People use these artificial things to get an escape from their humdrum lives.  But this escape is a total waste and often damages the more important things, like our family relations and our career, not to mention our spiritual life. Is the temporary rush worth the cost? Solomon would say, "No."

Materialism

Men throughout history have been seduced by materialism and those from affluent nations especially so.  And Christians are not immune.  We often see the attainment of wealth as one of our primary goals.  Some joke, "Whoever has the most toys when he dies wins."  Along with wealth often comes recognition and honor.  Scripture warns us about all these things. 

In 1 John 2:15-17 John reminds us…

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.

Solomon sure has an interesting way of developing this theme- and he can speak with authority on this topic.

I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees. (Ec 2:2-6)

The first thing we notice about Solomon's materialism is how self-centered it was.  He repeats "for myself" four times in these four short verses.  He built and accumulated "stuff" not for the good of others, but for his own enjoyment.  That should tell us a lot about his pursuit of wealth.  It can be quite empty when wealth is acquired and hoarded. 

I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock—both herds and flocks— than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem. I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines! So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity: I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. (Ec 2:7-10)

In this next section the theme of "for myself" is developed further.  He obviously viewed the ownership of people as a type of materialism.  He purchased slaves and owned slaves who were born in his household.  Then he mentions livestock, herds, and flocks.  It makes you wonder what value he placed on human life.  In addition to slaves, he had a harem of concubines, 300 to be exact, and male and female singers.  Of course, this was somewhat typical of oriental monarchs of his day, although his excess was legendary.  He also mentions gold, silver, and treasures from various kingdoms and provinces. Then he concludes, "I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted." I would consider this extreme materialism.

I'm not sure if anyone, certainly very few alive today could make this claim.  Even if you were one of the wealthiest persons on the planet, you would normally be controlled by laws and social mores which would hinder unbridled acquisition.  So, what conclusion does Solomon make about the accumulation of wealth?

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless— like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.” (Ec 2:11)

In a way, this is truly sad.  He had everything his heart could desire physically and yet was empty.  In modern currency his net worth would be approximately 2.1 trillion dollars, which would make him the wealthiest person who has ever lived.  And where did all this wealth end up?  In Egypt. (1 Kings 14:25-36)

Hard Work

Solomon presents work as a blessing and a gift from God but not workaholism. 

For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice! What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile! (Ec 2:21-23)

The first problem with a life dedicated to work is that we can't take it with us.  The fruits of our hard labors will be left to others. The second problem is that there is frustration, pain, and anxiety in the life of the workaholic.  The imbalance that results from overwork is not healthy for anyone.  The worker may initially feel that when burying themselves in their projects they find relief from their other concerns, but it only makes things worse in the end.  A proper balance in life is the best way to go. 

There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God. For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him. (Ec 2:24-25)

God intended work to be one of the blessings of life.  He is the one that makes it possible to enjoy the everyday things.  These simple enjoyments, eating, drinking, and the fulfillment of work are available to everybody.  You don't have to be a mighty king of Israel to find satisfaction in life.  The common man, when blessed by God, can have the best life possible.  And God is that one that gives this common grace.

Conclusion to the pursuits of man

 For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth— only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile—like chasing the wind! (Ec 2:26)

Solomon wraps up this section by giving the answer to his main question.  He has asked, "Is it possible to find meaning and purpose in this life (under the sun)?  If you are seeking to find it in accomplishments, wisdom, pleasure, materialism, or hard work, you will be disappointed.  Ultimately these pursuits bring no lasting fulfillment.  But to the person that lives to please God, fulfillment is found.  If we think we can find the answer to life on our own, we will never find it.  If we look to God, seek to please Him, then His blessings come.  If we imagine we can find satisfaction "under the sun", we are fooling ourselves.  If we look for it "over the sun", there it is.

Questions to consider:

 

1. Which of these five pursuits are you most susceptible to?
2. Why do you think this pursuit has a tendency to trap you?
3. Have you been able to gain freedom from the temptations associated with this pursuit? How?

Read on to Day #5