Bible Verse Synopsis 6-18-25

Ecclesiastes 2:

The first 3 verses are more of a confession to me than an explanation. Solomon, because of his wisdom, does not enjoy the desires of the flesh as he used to. Pleasure, laughter, mirth. All of these things, along with "to give myself unto wine" (Verse 3), have shown Solomon what folly it all is. Verse 3 continues "til 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 tells us he has tried to be joyful with the desires of the flesh, but cannot find it fulfilling. He recognizes that the desires of the spirit and God's instruction for us are the only thing that will fulfill us. When we do these things, God is waiting with the water to fill up our cup. Is your cup overflowing or is it upside down in the cupboard?

Solomon continues to tell us of all the things (desires of the flesh) he had and how grand it was. Labors of achievement; a home, garden, pools. Servants and maidens and great herds of cattle. Mined riches from the earth, dancers, and singers, and musicians. All of these he had. Verse 9 "So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me." Verse 10 says "And whatsoever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor." Solomon, by man's standards, would have been the richest and wisest man to ever live. He could have whatever he wanted from anywhere. Yet, he does not have a full cup. Because, in this time, Solomon was following the flesh, not the spirit. When have we behaved in such a manner? Did it serve us in any positive measure? Do you remember those times as fun or as folly? I land on the folly side of the equation. The rebel inside had me, but my cup was dry.

Solomon's recognition of vanity in all subject or practices of man is truly something for us to learn from. Verse 15 "As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me." Verse 16 continues "For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool." This is philosophy but also the truth. If we leave no legacy to God here, eventually those that remember us will disappear. But if we serve the Lord, He will remember us and take us up to Him. He also makes this life worth living for, as Solomon discovered. All of his labor was done in his own name and the name of Israel. But not in the name of God. Had that been reversed, the course of history would have been different. Verse 20 tells us "Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun." Solomon is taking despair in his works. Do you have the same despair over what you have labored for? Did you labor in his name? This brings to my mind one of my favorite verses. Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Are you fulfilling this command from the Bible?

Verse 26 wraps up this chapter so well. "For God gives to man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner He gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit." Has this hit home to you like it has to me? Serve the Lord and enjoy a full cup.