WHY BOTHER?
The futility of wisdom and folly
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26
Solomon speaks as a person who tried everything and found that life and all it has to offer is futile. => 1:2
Futility persists as long as we view life from the perspective "under the sun."
The basis for contentment and meaningful life ISN'T UNDER THE SUN!
Satisfaction can only be found in the God Who made it!
True satisfaction is found in seeking and obeying God!
PROOF OF THE FUTILITY OF LIFE 1:12-6:12
Proof from personal experience 1:12-2:26
Solomon tried everything in attempt to find something that satisfies.
It’s all futile! Meaningless! He kept coming up empty!
FUTILITY OF SEEKING CONTENTMENT IN WISDOM 1:12-18
FUTILITY OF SEEKING CONTENTMENT IN PLEASURE 2:1-3
Plan to satisfy self with pleasure 1a
Conclusions from pursuit of pleasure 1b-2
Attempt to cheer himself, by surrounding himself with happy people to keep him amused. 2
Attempt to enjoy life a bit more through drinking 3a
FUTILITY OF SEEKING CONTENTMENT IN TREASURE 2:4-11–Empire Building
Frustration with pleasure-seeking leads to more meaningful pursuits 3b
Tries more meaningful approach–contentment through accomplishments–making a name for himself!–something worthwhile
Accomplishments–worthy achievements, success, projects, public works
Joy of creativity. He takes on projects worthy of his skills and gifts.
Surrounds himself with beautiful and pleasant surroundings –magnificent homes and gardens, worthy of a great king!
[ lit. = “for myself” used 9 times in verses 4-9! ] 4-6
Pools built are reported to hold 40 million gallons of water!
Accumulations–hoarding up possessions and wealth 7-8
When his achievements couldn’t fill the void in his life, he tried buying people!
Contingent of slaves at his orders to serve and please him.
Wealth from great flocks and herds, as well as all his silver and gold, he could afford anything money can buy!
He could bring in the best night club acts from all over the world!
Dream of winning a shopping spree–all day in your favorite 10 stores?
Reputation 9-10
Richest, most powerful man who ever lived in Jerusalem!
He can have anything he wants!
You’d think all this would bring satisfaction!
Talk about having a sense of accomplishment –Cp. Dan. 4:29-30
Solomon delights in his work–he’s a workaholic
He has every reason to feel good, and to feel good about himself!
Life is good! H as it all!
And yet, => CONCLUSION: 11
It’s all very pleasant, but it can’t satisfy! It’s meaningless!
It’s another bubble-chase! It doesn’t last!
In the end, money and all the pleasures and comforts it can buy, can’t free us from an empty, frustrated and meaningless life.
The fruit of empire building is an illusion!
It’s a city without a foundation! It can’t last!
All of his great accomplishments, his great accumulation, his great reputation are meaningless.
They can’t satisfy. They can’t bring contentment.
FUTILITY OF SEEKING CONTENTMENT IN WISDOM OR FOLLY 2:12-23
Seeks contentment in his wisdom and in his labors.
He compares the foolish way of life to the wise way of life,
Wisdom is better, but doesn’t change your life much!
That, too, was rather useless!
No advantage to wisdom 12-17
Wisdom is better than folly, but to no real advantage.
They both die!
The fool is no more likely to die than I am!
(Changing “death rate”!)
So, what’s the point? Why bother trying to do better?
No advantage to wise labor 18-23
Takes fatalistic view of life and hates it!
All his work under the sun makes him unhappy–in the end, he has no real control over where it ends up!
Those who labor wisely end up handing it all over to a fool when they die anyway!
Hates his labor.
Our days are filled with sorrow.
CONCLUSION 2:24-26
Decides he might as well make the most of it.
God rewards people who please Him and punishes people with whom He isn’t pleased.
God gives wisdom, joy and knowledge to those who please Him, but sorrow to sinners.
He had best cooperate with the program–it’s going to work that way whether he likes it or not!
Having tried everything the world offers, he concludes he might as well enjoy what God has given him and seek to please Him.
Godliness with contentment is great gain!
So, where DO you find true contentment?
You won’t find it in the things life offers! Nor in wisdom.
Contentment comes from GOD!