Ecclesiastes: Week 1 ~ Day 1

March 21, 2016

Week 1, Day 1

Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-6

SOAP: 1:1-2

S:

“The words of Kohelet, the son of David, king in Yerushalayim: "Vanity of vanities," says Kohelet; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the eretz remains forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.

O&A:

Kohelet, aka the Preacher, aka Shlomo/Solomon the son of David

 הֶבֶל hebel: vain and empty

Vanity:

1. Emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire; uncertainty; inanity.

Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Sounds like someone who has lost hope.  Vanity of vanities is a common, well-known Hebrew idiom signifying the most or highest of something.  As I discussed this with my sons (ages 15 ½ and 11), we noted that if someone says “heart of hearts” we understand that they mean the deepest part of their heart, or “holy of holies” is the holiest part of the holiest part. 

As I read the blog post for some insight, it brought to mind a conversation I’ve had with my sons, in which I shared some insight about mistakes I made in my past (before giving my life to Yeshua, my Savior, and before choosing to really life for YHVH/God).  Because I’ve been down the road of alcohol abuse, I can warn my sons of the impending dangers of abusing alcohol.  Because I’ve been on the path of drug use, I can help steer them clear of those atrocities.  Because of choices I made in the past, I can send off the signals to head them off the course of destruction, much like a lighthouse.  It may not keep them from making the choice on their own to steer clear, but I can (I MUST) offer the warning.  I drew a map saying, “Okay, so you want to get from here to here, right?”  Yes.  “So I can tell you that around this corner, there’s a sniper, waiting to take you out, and the sniper’s name is Alcohol.  Around this bend is an IED, and it’s called Marijuana.  Under this bridge is this, under that path is that, each one named after the snares that I was caught up in.  If you KNEW ahead of time that those vices were lying in wait, would you still continue on the same path?  Or would you get on the RIGHT path, the one that leads to YHVH?” 

Today’s scripture also brings to mind the parable of the Prodigal Son.  He went out to do his own will, and subjected (and submitted) himself to his own pleasures and desires, only to realize none of it mattered in the end.  Only the Father.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary states. “1:1-3 Much is to be learned by comparing one part of Scripture with another. We here behold Solomon returning from the broken and empty cisterns of the world, to the Fountain of living water; recording his own folly and shame, the bitterness of his disappointment, and the lessons he had learned. Those that have taken warning to turn and live, should warn others not to go on and die. He does not merely say all things are vain, but that they are vanity. VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. This is the text of the preacher's sermon, of which in this book he never loses sight. If this world, in its present state, were all, it would not be worth living for; and the wealth and pleasure of this world, if we had ever so much, are not enough to make us happy. What profit has a man of all his labour? All he gets by it will not supply the wants of the soul, nor satisfy its desires; will not atone for the sins of the soul, nor hinder the loss of it: what profit will the wealth of the world be to the soul in death, in judgment, or in the everlasting state?”

P:

Abba, thank You for this reminder of Who we are to serve, and Who we are to love, especially in this self-serving and self-loving society.  What a great reminder of the people who serve You, and sacrifice for You.  Abba, help me to not focus on anyone or anything but You, and to pray for the strength of those who have given their lives to You, and to pray for those who are struggling to serve You, and pray for those who have lost their way, and for those who have doubts, and for those who are sincere in their love for You.  Abba, help me to not be jaded by this world, and not sucked in by the vanity of vanities, the emptiness of emptiness.  You’ve given us a roadmap, letting us know where the enemy lies in wait, and it’s up to us to give heed to Your warnings.  Help us to stay on track with You, not just during this study, but as we continue to grow in Your word, and walk in Your ways.  In Yeshua’s name, Amein.