Ecc1:12-18 Wisdom (1/4)

# Wisdom
## Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
### The Search for Meaning (1/4)

---

# What is the **meaning** of life?

>>>
+ what is **worthwhile** to spend our time on?
+ what has **lasting** value?
+ **"if only** I could ..."
  + get a better **job**
  + move to a better **city**
  + get **married** / have **kids**
  + get **in shape** / eat better
  + **travel** / learn more
+ **Eccl**: reflections from one who
  + **tried** all of the above
  + blessed w/more **wisdom** than all before:

---

1. *Sat pm:* What is **Wisdom**? [(ch1)](# "ref")
1. *Sun am:* Is there meaning 
 in **Ambition** + **Money**? [(ch2,5)](# "ref")
1. *Sun pm:* What is the **Fate** of mankind? [(ch9)](# "ref")
1. *Mon am:* What is the meaning of **Life**? [(ch12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Plan** for this weekend:
+ Recurring **themes** in Eccl:
  + search for **wisdom** + meaning
  + things we **pursue** in life
  + value in **work** and money
  + inevitability of **death**
    + **living** in light of dying
  + **conclusion**

******
[12](# "ref")
I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 
[13](# "ref")
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out 
by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

It is an unhappy business that God has given 
to the children of man to be busy with.

[Ecclesiastes 1:12-13 (ESV) (p.1/5)](# "ref")

******
[14](# "ref")
I have seen everything that is done under the sun, 
and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

[15](# "ref")
What is crooked cannot be made straight, 
and what is lacking cannot be counted.

[Ecclesiastes 1:14-15 (ESV) (p.2/5)](# "ref")

******
[16](# "ref")
I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, 
surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, 
and my heart has had great experience 
of wisdom and knowledge.”

[Ecclesiastes 1:16 (ESV) (p.3/5)](# "ref")

******
[17](# "ref")
And I applied my heart to know wisdom 
and to know madness and folly.

I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

[Ecclesiastes 1:17 (ESV) (p.4/5)](# "ref")

******
[18](# "ref")
For in much wisdom is much vexation, 
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

[Ecclesiastes 1:18 (ESV) (p.5/5)](# "ref")

---

## Wisdom [(Ecc 1)](# "ref")
1. **Searching** [(v12-13a)](# "ref")
1. **Achievements** [(v13b-15)](# "ref")
1. **Wisdom** [(v16-18)](# "ref")

---

The words of the **Teacher**, 
son of **David**, king in Jerusalem

[Ecclesiastes 1:1 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Teacher** (Qoholeth): preacher, **assembles** insight
+ King **David**: man after God's own **heart**
  + brought **peace** after much bloodshed
+ son **Solomon** ("man of peace")
  + aka **Jedidiah** ("loved by God")
  + **blessed** by God
+ (some **dispute** whether Sol is author)
  + (but all signs **point** to it)

---

Behold, I give you a **wise** and discerning mind, 
so that none like you has been **before** you 
and none like you shall arise **after** you.

[1 Kings 3:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ryan Hutton](https://unsplash.com/photos/Jztmx9yqjBw "caption")

>>>
+ and also **riches** + **honour**
+ but must **walk** in God's ways, as **David** did
+ God appeared **twice** to Sol
  + again after **temple** finished
  + Sol knew God is **sovereign**, real
+ Sol was **blessed** by God, but:
  + does **not** mean he **obeyed** God!

---

When Solomon was old his **wives** 
**turned away** his heart after other gods, 
and his heart was not **wholly true** to the Lord his God

So Solomon did what was **evil** in the sight of the Lord 
and did **not** wholly follow the Lord, 
as **David** his father had done.

[1 Kings 11:4,6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Los Angeles. Edwin Andrade](https://unsplash.com/photos/6liebVeAfrY "caption")

>>>
+ 700 wives + 300 concubines!
+ strong **influence** of a wife
+ was Solomon a **good** king?
+ each **king** of Israel/Judah is noted as
  + "did what was **right** in eyes of LORD"
  + or "did what was **evil**"
+ Sol was judged as an **evil** king
  + but God still **used** him
+ Sol's **wisdom** was given by God
  + Proverbs, **Eccl**, and Song of Songs
+ Eccl is Sol's **reflection** on life
  + on **work**: its limitations + value
  + on **wisdom**: its limitations + value

---

I applied my **heart** to seek and to **search** out 
by **wisdom** all that is done **under heaven**.

[Ecclesiastes 1:13 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ applied **heart**: life-long **learner**
  + not just for **marks** / graduate
  + not to **please** teacher / boss
+ **searching**: how do people **live**?
  + what do they deem **important**?
+ by **wisdom**: assess / examine
  + what is **worthwhile**?
+ **under heaven** / "under the sun": refrain in Eccl
  + in this **life**, in this **world**
  + from a **human** perspective
+ the wisdom in Eccl is **incomplete** without
  + the **gospel** of Christ
  + hope of **resurrection**

---

If any of you lacks **wisdom**, let him **ask God**, 
who gives **generously** to all without **reproach**, 
and it will be given him.

[James 1:5 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ ask in **faith**, w/o doubting
+ wisdom is **worthwhile** to pursue
+ God is the **source** of true wisdom
+ ask **God** for meaning/purpose in life

---

# Have I **considered** if I'm on the right **path**?

>>>
+ or too busy **doing** life to think?
+ just **assume** must do school / work / family
  + always say **"yes"** to any request
  + try to **help** others
  + try not to get **angry** / be selfish
+ then **retire** and **hope** for the best?
+ Sol applied his **heart** to the search for meaning
  + turn our hearts to our **Creator** to tell us

---

## Wisdom [(Ecc1)](# "ref")
1. Searching [(v12-13a)](# "ref")
1. **Achievements** [(v13b-15)](# "ref")
1. Wisdom [(v16-18)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Sol's **search** for meaning
+ examined man's **works**
+ and man's **wisdom**

---

I have seen everything that is **done** under the **sun**, 
and behold, all is **vanity** and a striving after wind.

What is **crooked** cannot be made straight, 
and what is **lacking** cannot be counted.

[Ecclesiastes 1:14-15 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Claudio Testa](https://unsplash.com/photos/FrlCwXwbwkk "caption")

>>>
+ first Sol examines mankind's **achivements**
  + v13b what we are **busy** with
+ **projects**, make world a **better** place
  + **helping** others
+ again: **"under the sun"**
  + in **this** life / world
+ conclusion? **vanity**
  + "hebel" (Abel): emptiness, mist, nothing
+ there will always be **crookedness**
  + evil, injustice, corruption
+ there will always be **lack**
  + poverty, manpower, time
+ e.g., former US **DEA agent** Michael Levine
  + 26 years fighting **"war on drugs"**
  + attack drug **supply** in S. America, Mexico, US
  + did we make an **impact**?

---
"If you add all the hundreds of **billions of dollars** 
that have been spent in this **war on drugs**,

[had we not] spent one **nickel** in the last **25 years** 
the situation would not be any **better** or any **worse**.

It had absolutely no effect, it was **wasted money**."

[Michael Levine, former DEA station chief](http://ncoic.com/deajive.htm "ref")

>>>
+ "what is **crooked** cannot be made **straight**"
+ world is fundamentally **broken** by man's sin
+ **impossible** for us to **fix** it
+ what **projects** do I expend my time on?
  + will they really **change** the world?

---

What does man **gain** by all the **toil** 
at which he toils under the **sun**?

A generation goes, and a generation comes, 
but the **earth** remains forever.

[Ecclesiastes 1:3-4 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Gulf of Mexico. NASA](https://unsplash.com/photos/Q1p7bh3SHj8 "caption")

>>>
+ ever had a big **project** that was quietly killed?
  + still get **paid**
  + but was all our work in **vain**?
+ e.g., a team I work for in **Ministry of Health**
  + 9mo getting patient **survey** data
  + analyses, reports, meetings, presentations
  + send to Ministry for **publication**
  + then **BC gov** changes
  + and it quietly **disappears**
+ remember: Sol speaks from **human** perspective
+ assumes "the **earth** remains forever":
  + does it **really**?  2Pet3:

---

But the **day of the Lord** will come like a thief, 
and then the **heavens** will **pass away** with a roar, ... 
and the **earth** and the **works** that are done on it 
will be **exposed**.

[2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ this world will **not** last forever
+ the **crookedness** + **lack** will come to an end
+ God will **judge** the world
  + in **righteousness** + truth
+ so in **light** of the coming judgment,
+ what is **worthwhile** to spend time on?

---

Since all these things are thus to be **dissolved**, 
what **sort of people** ought you to be 
in lives of **holiness** and godliness, 
**waiting** for and hastening 
the coming of the day of God!

[2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not what I can **achieve**
+ but what kind of **person** I am
+ **holy** (set apart, dedicated to God)
  + **godly** (outward expression of humility / reverence)
+ **waiting** eagerly for Christ's return

---

# What **projects** of mine have been **chasing** after the wind?

>>>
+ e.g., spent days researching **digital cameras** online
  + now gathering **dust** in drawer
  + use my **phone** camera now
+ have I tried futilely to
  + **straighten** what was crooked, or
  + **count** what was lacking?
+ what kind of project **does** have lasting value?

---

## Wisdom [(Ecc1)](# "ref")
1. Searching [(v12-13a)](# "ref")
1. Achievements [(v13b-15)](# "ref")
1. **Wisdom** [(v16-18)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Sol's **search** for meaning
+ examined man's **works**
+ and man's **wisdom**

---

And I applied my **heart** to know **wisdom** 
and to know **madness** and **folly**.

I perceived that this also is but a **striving after wind**.

[Ecclesiastes 1:17 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Brandi Redd](https://unsplash.com/photos/6H9H-tYPUQQ "caption")

>>>
+ again: applied **heart**
  + earnest, desperate **search** for truth
+ is **wisdom** actually **better**?
  + not just **learning** / education
  + doing **good**, being **moral**
+ **madness**: insane, irrational, chaotic
  + switch off your **brain**
+ **folly**: opposite of wisdom
  + ill-advised, inexperienced
  + stupid things **kids** do
  + obstinately **rejecting** wisdom
+ **ch2** (tonight): Sol's exploration

---

For in much wisdom is much **vexation**, 
and he who increases knowledge increases **sorrow**.

[Ecclesiastes 1:18 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ thinking **more** about life only reveals
  + its **futility**, and the
  + inevitability of **death**
+ "**ignorance** is bliss", but
  + doesn't make the **problem** go away
+ ch7 warns against obsessive **pursuit**
  + of either wisdom **or** folly:

---

Be not overly **righteous**, 
and do not make yourself too **wise**. 
Why should you **destroy** yourself?

Be not overly **wicked**, neither be a **fool**. 
Why should you **die** before your time?

[Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **human** perspective
+ **pursuit** of righteousness, doing good
  + **impossible** goal
  + **burn** out trying not to mess up
+ but pursuing **folly** also only hurts self

---

It is good that you should take hold of **this**, 
and from **that** withhold not your hand, 
for the one who **fears God** 
shall come out from both of them.

[Ecclesiastes 7:18 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ pursue **God**, not righteousness or wisdom
+ e.g., **fruit of Spirit** (Gal5):
  + **love**, joy, peace, patience, ...
  + not: "**try harder** to be gentle"
+ but keep in step w/**Spirit**
  + He will **produce** in you gentleness
+ God's **wisdom** is not like ours:

---

For the word of the cross is **folly** 
to those who are **perishing**, 
but to us who are being saved it is the **power of God**.

Where is the one who is **wise**? Where is the **scribe**? 
Where is the **debater** of this age? 
Has not God made **foolish** the wisdom of the world?

[1 Corinthians 1:18,20 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/09AhDCedXF8 "caption")

>>>
+ Paul in NT talks of a different sort of **wisdom** / folly
+ that the Son of God would **die** for us
  + Master become the **servant** of all
+ sounds like **foolishness** + weakness
  + but is the **power** of God:
+ all the **philosophers** / PhDs of the world
  + in all their **human** wisdom
  + cannot **comprehend** God's plan of salvation
+ but a **child's** humble faith can grasp it

---

For the **foolishness** of God is **wiser** than men, 
and the **weakness** of God is **stronger** than men.

[1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ more books / **education** is only **wearisome**
  + reminds us of **emptiness** of life under sun
+ but God is far **wiser** + **stronger**
  + **trust** His way is best
  + even when we don't **understand** it
+ in the **end**, we will be **vindicated**
  + for our **faith** in Jesus' name

---

# What does it mean to be **wise**?

>>>
+ why did Sol say more wisdom brings more **sorrow**?
+ how do we **gain** wisdom?
+ do I **aspire** to be as wise as a little **child**
  + who **trusts** Christ implicitly?

[1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ read together

---

---

## Devos: Ecc 3 (Sun), 11 (Mon)

+ Find a **quiet**, undistracted spot
+ **Settle** your heart, **pray** to be receptive to God's Word
+ **Read** straight through: reactions, questions
+ Re-read, now **deeper**: context, xrefs, word study
  + Outline? **Why** is this passage in the Bible?
  + What does God want to **communicate**?
+ Re-read, now **slower**: pause, silence, listen
  + What is God saying to **you**?
  + **Pray** your response to God
+ Re-read straight through to **retain** it

---

## 1. Have I **considered** if I'm on the right **path**? [(Jam1:5)](# "ref")
## 2. What **projects** of mine have been **chasing** after the wind? [(2Pet3:10-12)](# "ref")
## 3. What does it mean to be **wise**? [(1Cor1:18-25)](# "ref")