“The craft that we call modern,
The crimes that we call new,
John Bunyan had them typed and filed
In 1682.” – Rudyard Kipling
‘Chasing the wind’ is a term that nails most Americans. They get caught up in the hamster wheel of life thinking if I just run a little harder, sequent a little more, and focus just a minute longer I will be there, whatever that means. The carrot is always hanging at the end of the stick. Solomon was considered the wisest man of all time. I do not doubt that statement because the Bible declares it. A great many things in his life brought success. During his reign Israel was a unified nation (thanks to political marriages) and people from around the known world came just to see and ask him questions (Queen of Sheba). His wealth was widely known. It is estimated his annual income to be $350 million. Imagine if that was adjusted in today’s dollars. His interests seemed to have no limits and his successes were legendary. Was this enough?
Ecclesiastes is one of the poetical books of the Old Testament. It was written toward the end of Solomon’s life after the heavy burdens, heartaches, and pain his decisions brought to himself. Yes, I said those burdens, heartaches, and pain he brought to himself. A great majority of the problems we have are self-inflicted by the decisions we make. Taking the wrong job, marrying the wrong person, and choosing the wrong school are just a few. He had not started out to be cynical. Early on he tried everything we try today. I often smile when I hear people say things like “this has never been done before.” The biblical truth is “there is nothing new under the sun.” It just gets re-packaged or given a makeover and it is called “new and improved.” What are some of the things that Solomon tried in his search? His search began with noble intentions. “I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning the things that are done under heaven…” (Eccl. 1:13). It is a good thing to know stuff. How do we know stuff? We search it out. That is a good thing. But who we listen to and where we search has as many dangers as a Chinese checker’s board has holes. Biblical wisdom has a solid foundation, but human wisdom is often 180 degrees from a biblical worldview. Solomon tried many paths seeking inward peace and a path to meaning. Let me give you some roads he traveled.
- He tried Hedonism. What is that? It is simply pleasure at all costs. As he began his early life he began trying everything the world said would make him happy. He tried the laughter route, the booze route, entertainment, legacy building projects, music and the arts and of course the sex route. Take a moment and look at your open Bible. Check out 2:11. He looked at what he built and how hard he worked and declared it was vanity. It was empty; there was no satisfaction that lasted. Check out 2:17-18. He got to the point in his life that he was grieved.
- He tried Philosophy. Solomon tried all types of beliefs including humanism, fatalism, and do not forget our first point Hedonism. Philosophies abounded in 1000 BC just as they do today. It had gotten to the point that he considered man to be just like the beasts of the field. One died and another took its place. I had an uncle that made this statement. “Get a bucket of water. Plunge your hand in it. The amount of time the hole lasts when you pull your hand out is how long people will remember you when you die.” That is uplifting, not. Solomon was facing this. Read chapter 3 focusing on verses 18-22.
- He tried Social Action. He began focusing on the poor and hurting. “If they just had some money they would be better, and I would have a more peaceful heart.” That seems to be one of the routes he would try in his search for meaning. Look at 3:16; 5:10-16. Helping society is a noble feat. Our church supports ministries that focus on helping the community which includes giving them a hand up with financial help. They give food to families and I think that is a good thing. Remember this truth though. The most important thing we can do for someone is to give them the gospel. Meeting Christ starts it all. If we truly want purpose for ourselves and a pathway toward happiness for others, being born again is the first step.
As he gets to the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon sums up all he learned through his school of hard knocks. Almost everything he tried ended with a void in his soul. Look with me at chapter 12. Focus on verse 1. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” Start early with the Lord and never quit. I was told early in my Christian life to “find the will of God, decide to follow the will of God and then spend the rest of your life proving that was the right decision.” Look with me at his closing verses. Eccl. 12:13-14 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Are you looking for purpose? Are you trying to fill the God-hole in your life? Are you just wanting peace? The Lord is where it is at. It is not found in the world with its human wisdom. Purpose and peace are found securely attached to loving the Lord and keeping his commandments.