November 26, 2020

The title of the book in the Old Testament we refer to as Ecclesiastes comes from the Septuagint (LXX) which uses the Greek word ekklesiastes. The word means “preacher” and refers to the one who gathers an assembly of people and speaks to them. Solomon is accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes by most scholars. In the first verse he refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Additionally, he says he is, “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12), and “besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge.” (12:9).  Solomon was known as the son of King David (1 Kings 3), the third king over the united kingdom of Israel, and for unmatched wisdom in the land (1:16). The book can be dated around 930 B.C. because it was most likely composed in Solomon’s latter years.

Even though Solomon did not initially ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, God granted both.  However, even though he knew better, he acted foolishly by taking many wives and worshipping other gods. He became selfish and apathetic towards God. Ecclesiastes is autobiographical as the old king reflects on his many foolish decisions and empty pursuits. He concludes that life without God and the pursuit of pleasure is all “vanity.” He warns subsequent generations to avoid the same mistakes he made and that a life lived without God is futile and meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 2

The Vanity of Self-Indulgence

1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.

9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

The Vanity of Living Wisely

12 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

The Vanity of Toil

18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • In this chapter, Solomon gives the account of his venture in self-indulgence. Pay special attention to all he listed that he made, indulged in, and acquired. It seems he did not deny himself of any pleasure found in life (v. 10). What was his conclusion (v. 11)? Have you ever pursued something with all your heart only to find it left you empty inside?
  • What did Solomon turn to next (v. 12)? What do you believe Solomon meant by the same thing that happens to a fool would also happen to him (v. 15)?
  • What was Solomon’s conclusion of pursuing wisdom without God (v. 17)?
  • Who ultimately brings enjoyment in life (vv. 24-26)?
  • Do you find your true joy and contentment in the Lord?
  • On this day of Thanksgiving, take time to thank the Lord not only for the many blessings he has given you but for the greatest gift of all—the gift of salvation.
  • “It [salvation] is unimpressive to the material mind, but in the end it will be seen by all for what it is—priceless beauty and awesome privilege. Everyone—believer and unbeliever—will gaze at the gift of salvation and say, ‘That’s what my heart really desired all along.’” – Chris Tiegreen

Prayer: Lord, help me to pursue you with my whole heart today. Help me to seek you and your kingdom first and foremost in my life, knowing that all of the other things I need, or desire will come in the proper time (Matthew 6:33). I thank you for every blessing you have given me! Help me to walk with you by the Sprit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

9 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 26th”

  1. Solomon was inflicted with a terrible disease: I-itis. It was all about himself. He had not learned that to live, one must die to self. He had not learned that to have, one must give. He had not learned the priorities of life, the JOY of life: Jesus, Others, You. In his greatest, he had not found the simplicities of life. As a result, Israel was divided and was never the same.

    1. AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!! I AM THANKFUL THAT MY LORD AND SAVIOR HAS MADE ME HIS CHILD. A CHILD OF GOD. I AM ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR ALL MY BLESSINGS. I THANK YOU , IN JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN

  3. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for every good and perfect gift that you have given to me. I have a beautiful family and good health and wonderful friends. But most importantly,I have You,Lord . Thank you for the gift of my salvation and the promise of eternal life with You. I will wait patiently on You to supply all of my needs as you continuously do. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

  4. Thank you Lord for Your gift of salvation and the promise of being with You forever. Thank you for the blessings You gave me as well as the trials of life. For there I grew more in You. And I saw You more clearly and felt Your Word come alive. What more can I want. Thank you for Your love. Amen.

  5. Thank you for today that we can stop and be thankful. Please help us to be thankful all of the time and not just one day out of the year. Lord God, please be with our great nation and turn us back to you. Save us from all of this unrest. Help us to do right and to do your will. Thank you for all of the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. Please protect us from the virus and make it go away. Help us to love you and all of our neighbors more and more each day. Amen.

  6. Lord forgive me for pursing things that ultimately don’t give me joy. I pray that your Spirit gives me wisdom, and the contentment from your work and an abundant life in Jesus Christ.

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