Ecclesiastes Part 2

Here is the next chapter! (By the way, if you're reading this, it might make more sense if you read the corresponding chapter along with it).

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two

Verses 1-11

Solomon sought out many riches; he acquired many things to give him pleasure.  He had everything he could possibly want, and his heart rejoiced.  But he says that this was his only reward – the temporary pleasure from his possessions.  There was no lasting reward; it was all worthless.  He asks what laughter accomplishes – what was the point of the pleasure he had found?  Did it accomplish any good?  He says that it didn’t – it was all vanity.

Verse 3

This verse seems to support the idea that there are conflicting interests within us.  If we are followers of God, then our hearts will seek Him – we will want His wisdom.  Yet at the same time, our flesh still desires the things of this earth.  With the following verses, he seems to include desiring pleasurable things (such as many possessions) as a fleshy desire that will not satisfy.  I think he is saying that you cannot follow both, just like in the New Testament where we are told that we cannot serve two masters.

Verses 12-16

In life, the wise excels the fool, just as light is superior to darkness (13).  But he says that the same things happen to everyone (12, 15-16), whether they are wise or foolish.  Their lives will come to an end the same, and they will be forgotten the same, for everything that is now will be forgotten in the days to come.

Verses 17-21

He hated life because everything that was done on earth he saw as worthless.  Everything we do must be left behind for the ones who come after us, be they wise or fools.  Our work done in wisdom may be left to a fool and this made Solomon hate all that he had done in wisdom, because it would be left to another.  We labor hard and have to leave it to someone else who has done nothing for it.

Verses 22-26

Life is sorrowful, all the time, therefore we should enjoy our labor and all the things we receive, for God gives those who follow Him this ability.  I think he is saying that without this ability, then our lives will always be sorrowful.  So enjoyment of life through God is the best thing for a person (24).  To the person who God does not see as good, he gives labor as well, but He gives the fruit of His work to the good.

Solomon says that all of this is vanity and grasping for the wind – yet he says it is something ordained by God; something caused for the benefit of His followers… Is he just saying that their attempts to labor for themselves and not for God are worthless because God will take from them what they gain?  Perhaps he is saying that it is meaningless and useless to not turn to God and be satisfied.  For when we do, we are then able to enjoy what we have attained.