"Meaningless!"
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1
4/26/07
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1
4/26/07
Summary:
Solomon introduces his thoughts with a thesis: "Everything is meaningless!" (1:2b).
He goes on to make general statements about nature, and how things are repeated time and again throughout the course of history.
Quote of the Chapter:
1:11 "There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow."
I picked this verse because it humbles me every time I read it. No matter what "good things" I do on earth, especially the selfish ones...they have no meaning. Also, no matter what I do to advance my name on this earth is futile. Even if every human being knew who I was; even if everyone on earth was my friend, or even general acquaintance, my name will still eventually be forgotten, given enough time. What's the point of being remembered if only to advance my own name and cause?
Questions/Comments:
Solomon said in verse 18: "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow: the more knowledge, the more grief."
It seems like the opposite would be true, and maybe that's the point. With much wisdom comes much sorrow...why? Maybe because you realize that most of the things you are actually doing on earth are pointless and stupid. It must be a "God thing" but today I had those same feelings before reading this chapter again. I realized that most of what I do is so pathetic and worthless, and I'm not even being hard on myself - it's just the truth.
Solomon said in verse 13b: "...what a heavy burden God has laid on men." What burden is this? The burden of gaining wisdom? The burden of trying to accomplish something worthwhile?
Solomon introduces his thoughts with a thesis: "Everything is meaningless!" (1:2b).
He goes on to make general statements about nature, and how things are repeated time and again throughout the course of history.
Quote of the Chapter:
1:11 "There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow."
I picked this verse because it humbles me every time I read it. No matter what "good things" I do on earth, especially the selfish ones...they have no meaning. Also, no matter what I do to advance my name on this earth is futile. Even if every human being knew who I was; even if everyone on earth was my friend, or even general acquaintance, my name will still eventually be forgotten, given enough time. What's the point of being remembered if only to advance my own name and cause?
Questions/Comments:
Solomon said in verse 18: "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow: the more knowledge, the more grief."
It seems like the opposite would be true, and maybe that's the point. With much wisdom comes much sorrow...why? Maybe because you realize that most of the things you are actually doing on earth are pointless and stupid. It must be a "God thing" but today I had those same feelings before reading this chapter again. I realized that most of what I do is so pathetic and worthless, and I'm not even being hard on myself - it's just the truth.
Solomon said in verse 13b: "...what a heavy burden God has laid on men." What burden is this? The burden of gaining wisdom? The burden of trying to accomplish something worthwhile?
Lord, please help me to remember that what I do for myself is meaningless and thus not worth doing. May I do EVERYTHING for YOUR glory and for YOUR kingdom. Please take my thoughts captive and help me to control my desires of "self worth". As a matter of fact, help my desire to be about YOUR self worth and YOUR glory for ever and ever, Amen.
