"Depression?"
Ecclesiastes 2
4/27/07
Ecclesiastes 2
4/27/07
Summary:
In this chapter, Solomon dives deeper into his research on the meaning of life. The depression factor is high except for a couple verses in the end.
Key Verse(s):
2:14;16b "The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both...Like the fool, the wise man too must die!"
After "refusing [his] heart no pleasure" (doing everything he wanted to do), Solomon realized that the same fate comes both to the fool as well as to the wise: both will be forgotten and both will die.
Lesson:
In verse 18 Solomon realized that even after a wise man (like himself) works his butt off to develop something great, after he dies, his possessions will go to someone else - it could even go to a fool. So what difference does it make then?
I read this chapter, and like every time I read it, I start thinking about all that I have done in my life...all the trips I've taken, the people I've met, the things I've made and created, and the countless hours of work and volunteering for different organizations. But then, as I'm reading Solomon's great words, I know that I've only been denying myself the truth - that after I'm gone, everything that I've done will be forgotten in time...and who knows what difference I will have made in society (none). Ok - so now we're all depressed, right?
*But wait until the end*: "Without God, who can find enjoyment?" If there is no God that we live for, if we don't have a God like Yeshua to invest our time, work, money, energy, and friendships in, what point do we have in living? None!
Insight:
I find it interesting to note that the wisest man on earth, who worked hard (under the sun) to build an amazing kingdom, beautiful gardens, while reigning as the great king of Israel; all that he has done, has been destroyed (so ironic it brings goosebumps doesn't it). His temple is totally gone - nothing left: his gardens are non-existent, his riches, his kingship, all of it is gone and buried within the dust of time.
BUT...the only thing that was not destroyed was the wise words of Solomon, inspired by our Savior, Yeshua hMeshiach (Jesus, the Messiah)!
(For these things were done under a different Son!)
2:26 "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness."
I see in this verse that wisdom, knowledge, and happiness are three separate things (duh). But this proves a point that you can have one and not the other. You can be happy but not have wisdom. You can be wise, but without a vast knowledge of information. You can be both wise AND knowledgeable, but not be happy. But to the man who pleases Him, God gives all of these things!!
In this chapter, Solomon dives deeper into his research on the meaning of life. The depression factor is high except for a couple verses in the end.
Key Verse(s):
2:14;16b "The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both...Like the fool, the wise man too must die!"
After "refusing [his] heart no pleasure" (doing everything he wanted to do), Solomon realized that the same fate comes both to the fool as well as to the wise: both will be forgotten and both will die.
Lesson:
In verse 18 Solomon realized that even after a wise man (like himself) works his butt off to develop something great, after he dies, his possessions will go to someone else - it could even go to a fool. So what difference does it make then?
I read this chapter, and like every time I read it, I start thinking about all that I have done in my life...all the trips I've taken, the people I've met, the things I've made and created, and the countless hours of work and volunteering for different organizations. But then, as I'm reading Solomon's great words, I know that I've only been denying myself the truth - that after I'm gone, everything that I've done will be forgotten in time...and who knows what difference I will have made in society (none). Ok - so now we're all depressed, right?
*But wait until the end*: "Without God, who can find enjoyment?" If there is no God that we live for, if we don't have a God like Yeshua to invest our time, work, money, energy, and friendships in, what point do we have in living? None!
Insight:
I find it interesting to note that the wisest man on earth, who worked hard (under the sun) to build an amazing kingdom, beautiful gardens, while reigning as the great king of Israel; all that he has done, has been destroyed (so ironic it brings goosebumps doesn't it). His temple is totally gone - nothing left: his gardens are non-existent, his riches, his kingship, all of it is gone and buried within the dust of time.
BUT...the only thing that was not destroyed was the wise words of Solomon, inspired by our Savior, Yeshua hMeshiach (Jesus, the Messiah)!
(For these things were done under a different Son!)
2:26 "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness."
I see in this verse that wisdom, knowledge, and happiness are three separate things (duh). But this proves a point that you can have one and not the other. You can be happy but not have wisdom. You can be wise, but without a vast knowledge of information. You can be both wise AND knowledgeable, but not be happy. But to the man who pleases Him, God gives all of these things!!
My Father...I'm currently at a loss for words. I know that everything I have done and worked for in my 22 years of living has been in vain if it hasn't been done for You. I know most of my life is a "chasing after the wind" but I want to glorify You in all that I do, in all that I think, and in all that I say.
God, I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be on this earth, but please refine me so that my toil will instead, be done under YOUR Son, instead of ours.
I'm waiting for your return,
Amen
