Ecclesiastes Chapter Two continued... Death and how are we remembered.

15    Then said I in my heart, as it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

This not a true statement, once again he measures the wise and foolish strictly on the basis that we all die. Every one shall die, the wise and the fool; therefore, he concludes that he is no different than the fool. It is very wrong to assess life this way; there are many other measures of ones life that greatly separates the wise from the foolish (How much of the Fear of the Lord they walk in; How much of God they know; the impact they make on others; the life they lead whether righteous or wicked etc…) One who fears the Lord and walks in His judgments and statutes will wake up from his death satisfied and alive whilst the fool wakes up from his death only to suffer eternal damnation. The fact that the fool and the wise both die is not the measure of a man. As a sidebar observation, let us be careful what we meditate on; let us be even more careful about the conclusions we draw. Life and God are good; if we are continually assessing things in the negative then something is wrong. There are, of course, highs and lows in everyone's life but over all we should be impressed with the goodness of God.

16    For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

Here we see on display a motivating force in Solomon's life and it is the inspiration for his massive building projects... Solomon wants to be known. This thought of being remembered is very important to Solomon, however, he somehow fails to realize two things: Firstly, one who is a world leader with powerful influence, such as his, is always remembered and Secondly, one must take care how they are remembered; live in the fear of the Lord so that the remembrance of ones name causes the upright to rejoice! The memory Solomon left to the world was that of great wisdom but he reveals also that he was a backslidden man who was greatly conflicted with his own mixture of heart, loving the Lord but also loving other gods of pleasure and vice.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two continued... realizing truth from a backsliders perspective.

13    Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

“...wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.” Solomon did come to the right conclusion (again) on the fruits of both wisdom and folly (see comments of previous verse, these questions were already answered for him once), however, he realizes this truth now from the perspective of a backslider, one who has been ensnared by vice and the fruits of an intemperate life (“trying all things” Songs 2:3) where it can do him no good.

What is the wisdom Solomon observed? He saw wisdom linked to the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10); wisdom that is pure (Ps 19:9; James 3:17); wisdom that keeps one free from bondages and curses in their lives (bondages which resulted from opening the door to them through evil works). He saw folly as an activity that will lead one astray (See Proverbs 5:23) into pits and snares. However, in his condition he cannot get free from the yokes he has forged through his lifestyle. You who are more mature beg the young to seek the Lord for wisdom, plead with them because it will keep them from the pits and snares that can negate their testimony, their call and all God has for them! O' how we need the wisdom of God, O' how we need to make wise and right choices; we should cry out continually, “Lord, fill me with your fear that I might learn to walk in wisdom and avoid detours and bondages that slay so many!”

14    The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

“The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness...” This verse is an application of Eccl 2:13; here we see what Solomon was talking about “light vs. darkness”. In other words, the wise mans eyes are opened to see the right and good way whereas the fool is walking blindly into peril. This comparison reminds me of Proverbs 22:3

“...I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.” What is the one event that happeneth to all? It is death (Eccl 2:16). Solomon begins to get mixed up at this point and because he himself is not living right will begin to make some erroneous statements, he says in V:16 that the wise man dies the same as the fool when nothing can be further than the truth! Solomon’s statement fails to bring eternity into the equation and sees only the activity of dying but let us remember 1 Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”, we are not only to look at this life only but also the life to come. Here is where the distinction is made; this is where death takes on two separate meanings for the wise and the foolish. The fool’s burden gets heavier whereas the wise enters into the joy of the Lord!

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two... Questions once resolved now unanswered.

12    And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

“And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly...” Solomon begins to contemplate the differences between wisdom and madness and folly. Put this statement into context and you will see there is a problem is Solomon’s life; did he not already at this point publish his 3000 (1 Kings 4:30-34) proverbs extolling the merits of wisdom, understanding and knowledge? Why then is he going backwards to revisit questions that at this point should have been obvious? It was because Solomon did not sanctify (set apart) the Lord in his heart and secondly he did not guard his heart with all diligence against vice. When one fails to do these two things then instead of becoming clearer and clearer over time they begin to be filled with doubt. These questions should have been settled a long time ago for Solomon.

“…for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.” Solomon also begins to ask this question: What can the next king do that I haven't done? This is how ambitious Solomon was, his building projects would put many rich men today to shame. And yet he did not establish a lasting kingdom of righteousness and peace. Solomon did indeed put Jerusalem “on the map” with prestige and opulence but he did not establish a kingdom of righteousness.

Ecclesiastes Two Cont... There is only one fountain of living waters!

10    And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them...” Following whatsoever the eyes desire, this is the recipe for disaster. It is no wonder this man was a backslider; he had no restraint.  “ ...I withheld not my heart from any joy...” Solomon has taken on the nature of a spoiled child; he must have it all. Unfortunately, he has all the money to do whatever his heart desired and he has all the power. It is no wonder he becomes a depressed man; his lack of restraint would have brought him in great bondage. He is a cesspool of sinful activities! Solomon wasted his life on excess and extravagance instead of seeking the Lord and walking in His commands. This is a sure fire way to come into bondage.

“...for my heart rejoiced in all my labour...” His “great works” of verses four to verse eight had become his idol to him and he found his pleasure in them and rejoiced in all his labors... However, these idols could never truly satisfy and in the end led Solomon into despair. Idols can bring temporary joy, temporary satisfaction but they are as Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 2:13 are “leaky cisterns” in which the water will eventually leak out. Their ability to satisfy is short lived before one is left empty and dry. Unfortunately, we never read in this book that Solomon rejoiced in the Lord his fountain of living water.

11    Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Then there came a certain day when Solomon, who had engaged in many busy activities to “build great works”, looked over all the works of his hands and instead of immense joy and satisfaction he began to despise it all and he fell into despair (because he forsook the Lord who is fountain of real joy). The reason for both joy and despair rarely has anything to do with external things but is more of a reflection of the condition of inner man (See Luke 12:15-21 “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God”). Solomon was left in despair because these great works were broken cisterns (See note on previous verse) they were not what he was called to, they were the busy plans of his own selfish ambition. Solomon was called to seek the Lord and to establish righteousness and peace in the land. There are many today making the same tragic mistakes as Solomon, building great works after their egos instead of doing what the Lord has called them to do and sadly they too, like Solomon, will find it empty and dry.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two continued... Character, holiness and charity!

9    So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 

I want to zero on this phrase: “...also my wisdom remained with me.” Solomon departed from the Lord did not keep His commands and yet his anointing of wisdom remained with him. This anointing was none other than one of the seven Spirit anointings of Isaiah 11:2. Solomon was not unique in this regard, we see another O.T. character that did not walk uprightly and yet he too retained the anointing; that man was Samson. 

So what does that teach us? What is the instruction to be gained? Is it not that one who demonstrates the power of God through the gifts and anointings of God is not necessarily approved of God. Does this not also teach us that the gifts and callings are without repentance even when the vessel is not upright! Therefore, there are several virtues that one must look for in a man or woman of God before we know they are approved of God:

Character – at the top of the list is character; one who is true and approved of God puts uprightness and the keeping of the commandments of God first in his/her life.

Holiness – Secondly, they who are approved of God are in pursuit of holiness, they are seeking a spotless life. They are not seeking to excuse or ignore character flaws. They are in their own personal life seeking to walk in the Fear of the Lord.

Charity – Charity or love is the bond of perfection and best reveals the true nature and character of Jesus Christ.

One who has these three virtues will be able to sustain the anointing and to live a spotless life; let us pursue Character, Holiness and Love!

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two... replacing the spiritual with the natural!

7    I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

Solomon's calling was first and foremost to be the shepherd of men; the nation should have been his flock that he cared for and influenced in the path of righteousness. Instead he dabbled in the buying and selling of slaves, cattle and flocks. God had much more in mind for this great king. God wanted him to be an influence for good in the kingdom. This is what happens when a leader backslides he begins to try and reproduce in the natural what he has lost in the spiritual. This is a tip-off for a leader; if he is being diverted to a natural representation of his call then perhaps he has lost sight of his calling. It should be a wake up call when this happens! The apostle Paul said to the Galatians (Gal 3:3) “…You began in the Spirit do you now resort to the flesh”? He also said 1 Cor 15:46 the natural first then the spiritual; we progress from the natural to the spiritual not spiritual then the natural; this pattern of Solomon's of replacing the spiritual with the natural violates spiritual precedence. When one sees their activities turning from spiritual things to natural things then it is high time to seek the Lord.

8    I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

“I gathered me also silver and gold...”; Solomon was a man of great wealth and treasure but we can see in this mournful book that his treasures had hold on him and added greatly to his sorrows (Eccl 2:18-19; 1 Tim 6:10). Whilst we must be good stewards of money learning to value every penny we also must have no place in our heart for wealth we must not be possessed of money, we must in fact at a certain level actually have a disdain for it. After all, it is referred to five times in the scriptures as filthy lucre (1Ti 3:3; 1Ti 3:8;Tit 1:7;Tit 1:11; 1Pe 5:2.)

“...and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces...” Solomon became a collector of peculiar treasures. One should be very careful in this area, careful that their collections do not become idols. An idol is anything that one devotes themselves to taking time, resources and more importantly our devotion and affection away from the Lord. God wants us to be His peculiar treasure, wholeheartedly devoted to Him.

“...I gat me men singers and women singers and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts”. Note this one phrase, “the delights of the sons of men”; another translation puts it like this, “...I had many wives who gave me great pleasure”. Solomon became addicted to pleasure; he would have participated in many orgies. Pleasure can be a real snare to those who are not careful; in fact it was Solomon himself who said, “he that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man” (Prov 21:17). In regards to pleasure we are told in 1 Thess 4:4 to learn how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor. The man or woman of God should learn what it means to bring their physical body into subjection to the will of God lest when they preach to others they themselves become a castaway (See 1 Cor 9:26-27), lest they end up like Solomon addicted to pleasure.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two... What works really matter?

5    I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

The garden Solomon is talking about is now an external one, this is not the garden of spices it once was, a place of communion and fellowship. Like the Ephesians church he has lost his first love (Rev 2:4). When the life ebbs out of a relationship it becomes an unsatisfying religious exercise and often busy work replaces it.  When one is empty in their soul external works are one of the means of ignoring what is missing inside. In other words, they cloak themselves in great works; “look at the great work they are doing” and yet they are totally missing Christ, this is Solomon. Solomon is the man who missed Christ! He tries to recreate with his hands what he has lost in his soul.  We have seen this time and time again in Christians who lose the anointing; instead of maintaining an intimate relationship with God they turn to external things. It can be worldliness, it can be hobbies and it can be religious activities but it is not what God is looking for (Ps 40:7-8) God is looking for those who delight in doing His will; in order to do His will we need to get close enough to hear it!

6    I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

These pools would have been like the broken cisterns of Jer 2:13. Instead of drawing from the fountain of living waters Solomon spent all his time making his own pools of water to water his orchards. Seeking the Lord that the pools of water would have been in his own heart would have been a better way of spending his time and energies but instead of being truly satisfied he was vexed and empty (Eccl 2:11). O' how empty one can be when they are wasting their energies on things that cannot satisfy! The critical point here is that Solomon was called to influence the world for righteousness, to set forth to the world a pattern of not just wisdom but also righteousness. He was called by the name of the Lord and yet, like so many others, he allowed himself to be distracted by his own works. The man or woman of God needs to separate themselves from distractions such as unprofitable projects. They need to distinguish between good and evil, the fruitful and fruitless and pursue first and foremost the kingdom of heaven (Matt 6:33).

The Blessedness and Power of Meekness

It is much easier to flow with the stream than it is to try and swim against it and yet we are taught that swimming against the stream is exactly what we are to do to survive, fight, fight, fight! It is not my intention to entirely change that thinking because there is merit to it (after all the kingdom itself is taken by force, Matt 11:12). However, I do want to suggest to us that there are distinct times when God wants us to just let the stream carry us to places we would not choose to go (See John 21:18). Let me give you a few examples:

The first is Moses in the basket as a baby, as a child in this little ark all he could do was simply flow with the stream and that was Gods will. Although Moses the babe could not know it, God had a plan and purpose for him and while he drifted in the current away from his mother and family it was leading him to the circumstances that would fulfill Gods will. There was absolutely nothing this babe Moses could do to either make it happen or to hinder it; all he could do is go with the flow. You might say this is not a very good illustration because he was powerless to do otherwise but let me ask you this; what about his mother? Was she powerless, did she not have to release him with her own hands and give her son to the flowing stream? Did she not see the Pharaohs decree and realize the handwriting was on the wall, that she would have to make a decision that no mother should ever have to make; yielding her son to the dangers of the Nile? The more one would agonize and fight against this inevitable conclusion the more internal suffering they will have; it would not be until they, in meekness, surrendered to this situation that they would find the grace to triumph and ultimately fulfill Gods will. She simply, in meekness, accepted the circumstances she was confronted with and gave him to the stream of the Nile and ultimately to the plan of God; she “Drank the cup” that had been given her to drink.  

The second example is our Lord Himself at his trial. He was being unjustly accused yet He was capable of calling down thousands of angels who would have aided Him in the destruction of His enemies. Yet he chooses, in faithful obedience and meekness, to drink the cup His Father gave Him to drink. I have of recent found myself sitting in a court room before a judge and there is something within you that cries out “Someone please listen to me” there is a profound sense of anxiety as the judge drops his or her gavel and rules against you, your heart bleeds for someone to listen to you and understand what you are trying to say. Our Lord who was innocent was being sentenced to death being completely misunderstood; what emotions He had to control, He said not a word in His defense. In meekness He “Drank the cup” that had been given Him to drink and He found peace and rest in it. (Psalm 25:9 – the Lord guides the meek in judgment; He shows them His way)

 

Let me say this is where mankind struggles; he is full of self-vindication, full of wrath and desires to be justified. One must be careful because at times of being misused and misunderstood the cry to be vindicated can produce anger and bitterness. Let me plainly state that the remedy to anger, resentment and bitterness is meekness. Meekness, like the babe Moses drifting down the stream, accepts the events God is taking them through without a fight or a hint of resistance, it is like our Lord saying: “The cup the Father has given me to drink, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11). It is being at rest in circumstances that normally would cause panic; it is peace in the midst of the storm. The Word of God tells us that there are certain fruits that accompany this blessed meekness or this “surrendering to the stream”. Psalm 37:11 – the meek are satisfied with peace, no matter what the circumstances. Also, Isaiah 29:19 tells us “The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD…” Let us seek the Lord for this blessed meekness and fulfill God plan for our lives crossing the finish line with peace and with joy!

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two... A divided heart

4    I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

We need to understand what Solomon meant by “Great works”. As we seek to understand this we will discover something about this king; we will discover he was not a “Kingdom first” king. He was not all about the building and promoting of the Lord’s kingdom. He was an industrious king full of ambition and ideas for sure but he is not using his talents to build God’s kingdom or securing a godly line for future generations; he is using his energy and talents to build his own kingdom.

I am sure that the Lord would have much more preferred a king who sought Him with a whole heart and one who would use his God given worldwide influence to produce a righteous kingdom and lay a foundation for future generations; one that would have been an example to the rest of the world. Solomon exceeded all the kings before or after him (in terms of worldwide power and influence) but he did not walk a single eyed temperate life governed by the fear of the Lord. His divided heart is evidenced for us through these so called “Great works”. In 1 Kings 6:37-35 we learn one of his “Great works” was building the house of the Lord. Solomon spent seven years in building this magnificent structure, seemingly a notable task. However, it pails when we read 1 Kings 7:1 that he spent 13 years building his own house. Obviously to this ambitious king his own house was the real “Great work”.

Do you think it hard of me to conclude that because Solomon spent twice as much time building his own house than he did the house of the Lord that he was divided in his commitment? Then consider men and women today; how many are spending more time and labor today building their homes and buying their cars and acquiring their toys (boats, trophies, TV’s, sports, computers, stereo’s etc…) then they are in their service to the Lord. Take a good look at their spiritual lives, are they really people who you would consider men and women committed to their call (5 fold ministry or ministry of helps it does not matter)? Are they men and women who would drop what they are pursuing and lovingly obey the Masters call, are they the ones who don the prayer meetings or heed the mission call? No, I think you like me conclude they are not. Solomon too fell into this category of the half hearted but it was more pronounced because he was the king.

Herein lies one of the great problems in the life of king Solomon (and many today); he was more interested in his own “Great works” than in the “Great works” of the Lord (developing God’s kingdom and God’s house). We find that there is a very weak commitment in him. This example of Solomon is a warning for us, a warning to keep our own priorities straight. We want to be a “Kingdom first” Christian, one whose main goal is to walk in the fear of the Lord and to build His house and build His kingdom and to secure a godly influence for generations to come. We have seen good men and women get caught up in meaningless time-consuming projects while they carelessly let their spiritual life dwindle away to nothing. Let us be warned from the lessons of this ambitious yet poor king.

Ecclesiasties Chapter Two... Nothing replaces a sanctified life.

2    I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?    

The interesting aspect of this verse is this; our society is passionate about one thing and that one thing is entertainment. We are obsessed with it. But many times the most miserable people on the planet are those who make their living at mirth. Actors, comedians and entertainers are frequently checking into rehab being treated for depression and the like. Whilst laughter is considered to be good medicine it only works when the conscience is free. For the one who has a blood washed conscience laughter can be therapeutic but for those who make a living from laughter many times the laughter that they bring to others does not help them.

3    I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

Solomon reminds us of those of vanity fair from Pilgrims Progress; he dabbled in vanities when he should have been instructed by his fathers prayer in Psalm 119:37 “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way”. Good and right judgment turns from vanity. Pilgrim and Faithful plugged their ears at Vanity Fair and cried aloud “turn our eyes from vanities!”

Solomon had the commandments to know what was good for the sons of men; this pursuit was completely unjustified. There is tremendous mixture in Solomon (half in the kingdom and half in the world); it will eventually cost him his good judgment. True wisdom is first pure...(James 3:17); Solomon began mixing wisdom and folly. One must not think they can behave in such a fashion and retain the favor and blessing of God. The Lord seeks those to worship Him in Spirit and in truth not mixing wisdom and vice. Solomon becomes for us an example of how mixed up one can get if they do not guard their heart diligently and make the commandments their guide. One must break all attachments to this world and seek to love and obey His commands with all their hearts. True wisdom is to flee folly and vice and to choose the fear of the Lord.