Ecc1:12-18 Wisdom (1/4)

# Wisdom
## Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
### The Meaning of Life (1/4)

[###](#/series "secret")

---

# 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 am:* **Introduction** to Ecclesiastes
1. *Sat pm:* Is there <br> meaning
  in **Ambition** + **Money**? [(ch2,5)](# "ref")
1. *Sun am:* What is **Wisdom**? [(ch1)](# "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. <br>
[13](# "ref")
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out <br>
by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

[###](#/Q1 "secret")

---

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

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:1 (NIV/CUV)](# "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,  <br>
so that none like you has been **before** you  <br>
and none like you shall arise **after** you.

[1 Kings 列王紀上 3:12 (ESV/CUV)](# "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** <br>
**turned away** his heart after other gods, <br>
and his heart was not **wholly true** to the Lord his God

[1 Kings 列王紀上 11:4 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "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**"

---

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

[1 Kings 列王紀上 11:6 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 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 <br>
by **wisdom** all that is done **under heaven**.

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:13 (ESV/CUV)](# "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**, <br>
who gives **generously** to all without **reproach**, <br>
and it will be given him.

[James 雅各書 1:5 (ESV/CUV)](# "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** what my **purpose** is?

>>>
+ 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**, <br>
and behold, all is **vanity** and a striving after wind.

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

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:14-15 (ESV/CUV)](# "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**  <br>
that have been spent in this **war on drugs**,

[had we not] spent one **nickel** in the last **25 years**  <br>
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** <br>
at which he toils under the **sun**? <br>

[4](# "ref")
A generation goes, and a generation comes, <br>
but the **earth** remains forever.

[4](# "ref")
一 代 過 去 ， 一 代 又 來 ，  <br>
地 卻 永 遠 長 存 。
</div>

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:3-4 (ESV/CUV)](# "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,<br>
and then the **heavens** will **pass away** with a roar, ...<br>
and the **earth** and the **works** that are done on it<br>
will be **exposed**.

[2 Peter 彼得後書 3:10 (ESV/CUV) (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**, <br>
what **sort of people** ought you to be <br>
in lives of **holiness** and godliness, <br>
[12](# "ref")
**waiting** for and hastening <br>
the coming of the day of God!

[2 Peter 彼得後書 3:11-12 (ESV/CUV) (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**  <br>
and to know **madness** and **folly**.

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

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:17 (ESV/CUV) (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**, <br>
and he who increases knowledge increases **sorrow**.

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:18 (ESV/CUV) (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**, <br>
and do not make yourself too **wise**. <br>
Why should you **destroy** yourself?

[17](# "ref")
Be not overly **wicked**, neither be a **fool**.  <br>
Why should you **die** before your time?

[17](# "ref")
不 要 行 惡 過 分 ， 也 不 要 為 人 愚 昧 ，  <br>
何 必 不 到 期 而 死 呢 ？
</div>

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 7:16-17 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/2)](# "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**,  <br>
and from **that** withhold not your hand,  <br>
for the one who **fears God** <br>
shall come out from both of them.

[Ecclesiastes 傳道書 7:18 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/2)](# "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** <br>
to those who are **perishing**, <br>
but to us who are being saved it is the **power of God**.

[1 Corinthians 歌林多前書 1:18 (ESV/CUV) (p.1/3)](# "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:

---

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

[1 Corinthians 歌林多前書 1:20 (ESV/CUV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 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, <br>
and the **weakness** of God is **stronger** than men.

[1 Corinthians 歌林多前書 1:25 (ESV/CUV) (p.3/3)](# "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** Jesus implicitly?

[1 Corinthians 歌林多前書 1:25 (ESV/CUV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ read together

---

## 1. Have I **considered** what my **purpose** is? [(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")