Ecclesiastes Two cont.... It is not about our own kingdom.

19    And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

Solomon fails to realize one serious point here and it is the same area where Nebuchadnezzer fell; it was not his great kingdom, which he had wrought by his majesty (Daniel 4:30)! He would have nothing at all if God had not given him his giftings. There is an unsettling pride here, well did Job say “the Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). What a horrible tragedy it was for Solomon to be consumed by his kingdom and yet pay very little attention to the commandments and issues such as righteousness and godliness. If one really desires a legacy worth having then they should embrace issues that deal with one's own character and God will give them a sure house !

20    Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

What a horrible thing for Solomon to do, he was so vexed over who would take care of his fortunes that he fell into depression. Riches do carry with them many hurtful cares. If one does not have the right perspective then riches can be bondage and steal away righteousness peace and joy. There is a secret to wealth that actually builds one up, it works weather you apply it naturally or spiritually and it is this: use your wealth to build others up! Strengthen others by your wealth and your legacy will be all it needs to be.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Two cont... the fruit of hypocrisy is vexation.

17    Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Solomon was a miserable man, he had no peace and he had no joy. He had God’s wisdom (his gift) but he did not possess the restraint and character that gives one a free life. His gift (wisdom) should have produced joy in his life. He declared in Proverbs that Wisdom is the principal thing, get it and your life is preserved from pits and snares others will fall into (Proverbs 4:7-9). His wisdom should have eased his burdens (See Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 8:11). But we learn a very important lesson from Solomon; we learn that only sanctified living and not gift’s produce peace and joy.

We must understand that it was not Solomon’s wisdom that produced his depression; it was how he interpreted what he saw by wisdom. Solomon did not use his wisdom to plunge into the depths of holiness but rather used it to explore the depths of madness and folly. His heart's desires were unholy and his gift did not change this. One's gifting or anointing does not change one's character, only true brokenness and the fear of the Lord will. Don't be too impressed with one's gift until you see their character.

18    Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

This seems to be a queer thing for Solomon to say since he was the one who said in Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children…” Perhaps Solomon was beginning to discover he was not that “good man”, perhaps he began to see what kind of sons he was raising and grew concerned. Ironically, Solomon made it clear where raising children are concerned, as parents we must “teach them the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6) and “spare not for their crying” (Proverbs 19:18); parents should uphold the discipline of Christianity in their home. You cannot guarantee everyone in your home will serve the Lord but if one neglects teaching the children the right way one can almost guarantee they will not serve the Lord. Also, one must live uprightly before the children as an example; children very quickly detect and resent hypocrisy.

Proverbs 23:2-7 KJV: HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE ANDERSON FAMILY

Here is a link to my daughter Rebecca's blog she speaks for us all in this post... Happy Thanksgiving!


Proverbs 23:2-7 KJV: HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE ANDERSON FAMILY: "~ Happy Thanksgiving ~ Today is one of my favorite holidays and yet it is a Holiday that is so very ignored :( Thanksgiving is a day whe..."

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).