Eld Ko Swee Chay

Life without God is Vanity - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Introduction

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by king Solomon as indicated in Eccl 1:1, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem”, and Eccl 1:12, “I the Preacher was king over Israel.”

Solomon succeeded his father David as the third king of the united Israel. He reigned for 40 years from 971 to 931 BC. Ecclesiastes was written probably around 935 BC, during Solomon’s evening years as he reflected on his life experiences.

Ecclesiastes was written to believers and all who have ears to hear. It is a testimony of a life lived to its fullest but without God, even though Solomon knew God.  This is the most tragic of all wasted lives, for he could have lived a glorious and holy life. If we learn from Solomon’s mistakes, it will spare us the bitterness and regret of learning through our own experience. This book teaches all, especially the Christian, that the meaning in life is not found in worldly learning, knowledge, work, riches, pleasures, and fame. True happiness and satisfaction come from living a God-fearing and obedient life and knowing that what we are doing is part of God’s purpose for our life.  

Without God All Is Vanity (Eccl 1:1-2)

¹The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ²Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

The word “vanity” means “emptiness, purposeless, transitory, or futile”. It speaks of a wasted life without any purpose or any goal in Christ.

When Solomon became king of Israel, the LORD appeared to him and asked him what He should give to him. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the nation. The LORD was pleased with this request and gave him wisdom as well as riches and honour (1 Ki 3:5-13 & 2 Chr 1:7-12). By God’s grace, Solomon became the wisest, richest, and the most famous and powerful man in the world of his time (1 Ki 4:29-34 and 10:1-29). Kings and leaders from other nations came to Jerusalem to learn from him. Solomon did well for the first half of his reign - he built the house of the LORD and placed the Ark of the LORD in it, and made a covenant with God; his heart was with God.

Sadly, in the second half of his reign, his life spiraled downward. Pride, self-confidence, and carnality set in. He pursued after the things of this world and tried to find happiness and satisfaction in carnal things. His heart turned away from the LORD. His transgressions included: multiplied horses, multiple wives, multiplied silver and gold which were all prohibited by God for the king (Deu 17:16-17), and worshipped other gods. “And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice. And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.” (1 Ki 11:9-10).

In the eyes of the world, Solomon as a king had made great achievements in economic, political, military might and building projects for Israel. He had it all – tremendous intellect, power, wealth, and popularity. He lived a very luxurious life and had access to everything that his heart desired. Having lived such a “successful” and “good” life, why then did Solomon start off the book of Ecclesiastes by saying “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity”? He doubled his assertion to show its certainty. He repeated the same assertion in Ecclesiastes 12:8 “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” The simple answer is that life without God is vanity. It is man living and labouring “under the sun,” trying to get something out of life. His aims, goals and purposes in life are to fulfill his own desires, enjoyments, and satisfaction. He is away from God.

Things done “under the sun” are only of temporary significance and therefore they have no eternal value. This reminds us that our academic qualifications, job positions and titles, bank accounts and all our wealth and possessions are useless if not used for Christ; none of these things can be taken with us when we die. “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.” (Eccl 5:15). If our purpose in life is to pursue the things of this world and forget the LORD, vanity is the sure and certain outcome. This is the fact of life all of us must always keep in mind. Pray that by the grace of God we can live and labour meaningfully in Christ Jesus, not putting our heart, mind, and soul in getting more things and accumulating more wealth.             

Without God Labour Profit Not (Eccl 1:3)

³What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

This phrase “under the sun” means here on earth. It speaks of the temporal nature of humanity.

Solomon was asking, “what do you gain out of your toils and labour on earth?” The answer of man “under the sun” will be: “I can have a big bank account, I can give me and my family a comfortable and secure life, I can buy lots of luxury goods that my heart desires, I can own a big house and a branded car, I can have a prestigious club membership and play golf, I can go overseas for holidays and skiing”, and the list goes on. Solomon’s own answer from his own life experience was “vanity of vanities, emptiness of emptiness”.

Although Solomon did a lot of good work for the nation of Israel and lived a luxurious and comfortable life, the LORD was angry with him because his heart was turned away from Him and he failed to obey His commandment to not go after other gods. Materially he profited much, but spiritually he was a big loser. He lacked spiritual discernment. He “did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.” (1 Ki 11:6). The judgment from the LORD was to take his kingdom away and to give it to his servant. “Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” (1 Ki 11:11).       

Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 16:26: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”   It is right for us to work diligently to meet the needs of self and family, for this is taught in the Bible: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” (Prov 6:6-8).  “… if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thess 3:10b). While we labour to keep our body whole, let us not forget the LORD but submit to and live for Him all the days of our life. AMEN.

[To Be Continued]