Bible Verse Synopsis 6-17-25

Ecclesiastes 1:

Solomon wrote this book and will give us many lessons from his great wisdom, granted by the Lord.

Verse 2 says "All is vanity." This is in reference to what man has and what man desires. Our wants and needs can not be fulfilled by the pursuits of man. We are vain to believe that our achievements will fill our hearts. The only thing that serves is the flesh. God is the only one who can fill our hearts. Not the profit of the labour of the fields, under the sun. - a loose paraphrase of verse 4. This will only bring us temporary happiness, not the joy of eternity that Christ offers. Are you prepared to be filled with the joy of Christ and be lifted up by the Lord?

As the sun rises and sets and the water and winds of the earth cycle to and for, so will man look and hear for the things to fill his heart. Every portion of the body can not be fulfilled with the quest we all seek for earthly achievement. Verse 10 says "Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us." Our things and tools may be new but the way that these things affect our spirit is always the same. They leave us hollow and without. Even the new toy or gadget will provide temporary joy and pleasure. But what about pleasure forever? Where is that offered? The only place is in God, through Jesus Christ.

Because of Solomon's wisdom, he understood and had insight into the patterns of life and nature, even some we still wrestle with today. God's blessing to him was wisdom and knowledge of all the things done under Heaven. Verse 14 continues the narrative; "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." Verse 15 continues; "That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered." Man has continued to twist the Word and his life around to meet his fleshly desires. The flesh cannot be straightened by the works of the flesh. Only the spirit is able to bend us back upright and save us from the assault of the flesh. The flesh will pull at you and yank from every direction. Solomon tells us to be with the spirit and attain joy and peace through God, for the flesh does not offer what we seek. Are you ready to go on the journey of the spirit, free from the flesh?

Solomon continues to hammer this point home for us. Verse 17 says " And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of the Spirit." Verse 18 says; "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." Wisdom and knowledge of the world only bring sadness to the obtainer of such without the Lord. Solomon did all of this and when he was apart from God, it did him no good. Take the example of Solomon and understand his laments. Is there others in our lives we should be watching to see what similar laments they have but don't realize? Or does the mirror serve us better?