The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #1731
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1

Introduction

What would it take to make you happy for the rest of your natural life? Money? Power? The ability to go anywhere and do anything that your heart desired? Most of us have been told from our youth up that money cannot buy happiness and although we acquiesce by nodding our heads, under our breath we say "What a stupid statement. I'd like to find out for myself thank you very much."

Well, perhaps before you begin to work 16 hours a day to "make it" you could spend a few hours taking the Solomon Course and follow along with us as we begin the great Book of Ecclesiastes, a handbook given to us by our Father which we could easily subtitle "How to be Happy in the Flesh", for it was specifically written to the natural, flesh man.This is extremely important to know in that it is the "key" to understanding all that is written in this book. Here's how we know:

There is an Hebrew expression which is peculiar to the Book of Ecclesiastes and is used twenty-nine times. It is the expression "under the sun" which is the equivalent to "upon the earth" and is connected with earthly things, i.e. that which is material and of the flesh. The man who then "walks under the sun" is the man who walks according to the flesh and its desires and wants. It is to that man, the adam who walks under the sun, to whom the Book of Ecclesiastes is written.

And fascinating it is indeed, for in this book we will see king Solomon "test the flesh" to the outer limits of pleasure and indulgence through every "earthly" means possible, accumulating all the power and wealth that a man or woman could ever dream of. And so this "down to earth" Book of The Preacher contains the ultimate story of the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", only this time the episodes are measured by wisdom and the results are tabulated. From verses 1:2 through 6:9 we will see what the "chief good" is not, and from 6:10 to 12:12 we will see what the "chief good" is (see structure of the book in the Companion Bible, pg. 906) .

The name of the book, Ecclesiastes, comes from the Latin Vulgate through the Septuagint Version, but the Hebrew name is "Koheleth" which means an assembler, as in one who gathers an assembly to preach to or lecture to. So let's assemble and listen to the wise Koheleth.

Note: It is interesting that both the words "Koheleth" and "Wisdom" are feminine. Do you think this is some sort of indication to men or something?

The Book of Ecclesiastes

Eccles. 1:1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

[2] Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

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

[4] One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

The point is, our trip through this flesh age is but a "blink of an eye" in comparison to the earth which remains for ever and ever, yes, even throughout eternity.

[5] The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

[6] The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

[7] All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

[8] All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

You see, the flesh man apart from God does not naturally have "eyes to see" nor "ears to hear", which only can satisfy.

[9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Not so fast Techno Man! Have you read of the circular flying vehicles that our Father travelled in when He visited the prophet Ezekiel? You probably call vehicles like that UFOs, but those who read God's Word call them IFVs, short for Identified Flying Vehicles. You can read of them in chapters one and ten of the Book of Ezekiel.

And man has yet to even come close to the technology required to produce the small organic multi-functional, multi-media computer housed in your cranium.

I had one gentleman actually tell me Velcro is something new under the sun, until I told him to pull apart the feather of a bird and zip it up again.

But there is a deeper meaning to what is being said here. Let's read the next verse.

[10] Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

Note: If you are not familiar with the three earth ages and would like more information about them, they are discussed in more detail in the first few lessons of both Genesis and Ephesians, which may either be accessed on our website. Log unto Genesis or Ephesians and have at it..

[11] There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Here's a better translation of verse 11 from the New English Bible (N.E.B), Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press.

Eccles. 1:11 The men of old are not remembered, and those who follow will not be remembered by those who follow them. (N.E.B.)

Suppose you had the opportunity to talk to the wisest, most successful, most powerful man on earth, the king over all the land!  You are invited to his magnificent palatial estate in the plush green rolling hills and after being lavishly pampered by his friendly servants he comes forth to greet you and asks you to come sit with him for awhile.  Surely you are impressed and quite honored to have been granted such a privilege as this.

So as you are both seated you glance around at the beautiful surroundings and rich furnishings and realize that you couldn't even afford one of the small marble and gold inlaid end tables beside you and you can't help but blurt out "You must be a very happy person!" You figure anyone would be who had it all like this, especially you. Yep, especially you! A polite servant then asks you if you would like another exotic beverage to which you nod affirmatively.

The king looks at you and then cracks a smile and says "Let me share with you all that I have learned and experienced in my life, for if ever there was a man who has walked under the sun who could say 'I've been there and done that', it is I."

Eccles. 1:12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

[13] And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

The word "wisdom" you just heard now connects with "Solomon" and your mind wanders off as you recall those e-mail Bible Studies you received and how you learned that the wisdom Solomon sought was granted to him by our Father. It was no ordinary wisdom that comes with the standard flesh model body. Yes, you recall reading of it in the Book of Kings. It went like this:

1 Kings 3:5-13
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

But here it is, one wish, anything you like, to be granted by the Creator of the Universe who can deliver the request. What would you ask for?

[6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

[7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

[8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

[9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

[10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

[11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

[12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

[13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

[14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

[15] And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Your mind now returns to hearing the words of the Koheleth as you're served tantalizing hot little hors d'oeuvres. They will bring you happiness for all of about 15 minutes of your life.

Eccles. 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

"Vexation of spirit", which is used nine times, is an expression that means "grasping after the wind", or "chasing after the wind". You run and run and come up with a handful of nothing.

[15] That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

[16] I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

[17] And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

[18] For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

So remember something from this unique Book of Ecclesiastes the next time you desire something "under the sun" that you're sure will make you happy:

Solomon tried it and it didn't work!