>>>
Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 - Wired to Know God.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 (NKJV) The words of the 
Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of 
vanities, all is vanity." 3 What profit has a man from 
all his labor In which he toils under the sun?  

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 (NLT) These are the words 
of the Teacher, King Davids son, who ruled 
in Jerusalem. 2 Everything is 
meaningless, says the Teacher, completely 
meaningless! 3 What do people get for all their hard work 
under the sun?  

INTRODUCTION

Solomon, one person in the Bible who had 
everything (wisdom, power, riches, honor, reputation, 
God's favor), is the one who discussed the 
ultimate emptiness of all that this world has to 
offer. His purpose in this book is to make people 
realize that their confidence in their own efforts, 
abilities, and righteousness was meaningless. Instead, 
their commitment to God is the only reason for 
living. [Life Application SB] 

If we try to find meaning in our 
accomplishments rather than in God, we will never be 
satisfied, and everything we pursue will become 
meaningless. 

Solomon's goal was to show that earthly 
possessions and accomplishments are ultimately 
meaningless. Only the pursuit of God brings real 
satisfaction. We should honor God in all we say, think, 
and do. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Vanity. In older translations, 
Ecclesiastes begins, "Vanity, vanity - all is vanity." 
Modern editions translate "vanity" as 
"meaningless," though the older word might be better. The 
author is observing that we reach so few of our 
goals, and the goals we do reach are not nearly as 
fulfilling as we thought. There seems to be no gain. 
The point is so bleak that many ask, "What is 
this doing in the Bible?" 
   The answer is in the phrase under the 
sun. It is what today we'd call a thought 
experiment. The author asks us to imagine trying to live 
only under the sun - with no God or eternity 
beyond this world. If this world is all there is, 
can we find meaning? The experiment has two 
benefits. First, it will show us that, to a degree, 
this world is separated from God by the sin of 
the human race, so it does not function as it 
was created to, and that therefore even 
believers encounter a great deal of human life's 
"vanity." It also shows how rejection of God can make 
life even more pointless. 
   What would you consider vain or futile in 
your life? How would adding God to that situation 
change it? 
   Lord, when the futility of my life begins 
to overwhelm me, I realize it is because I am 
looking only at what is "under the sun" and not at 
the eternal weight of glory being prepared for 
me (2 Corinthians 4:17). Help me to fix my eyes 
"not on what is seen, but on what is unseen" (2 
Corinthians 4:18). Amen. [Gods Wisdom for Navigating 
Life by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller] 

COMMENTARY

All Is Vanity
   I have seen all the works that are 
done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and 
grasping for the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). 
   After his futile search for the meaning 
of life, Solomon concluded, Vanity of 
vanities,  Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. 
What profit has a man from all his labor in which 
he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 
1:2-3). 
   The word vanity Solomon used didnt 
mean the same thing it means to us today. When we 
think of vanity, we think of people whove never 
met a mirror they didnt like. But the vanity 
Solomon spoke of could just as easily be translated 
emptiness, futility, meaningless, or 
nothingness. Solomon was saying, There is nothing on 
this earth that will satisfy us completely: no 
thing, no pleasure, or no relationship. 
   Its not unlike riding a stationary 
bike. You see on the little video screen that 
youre going uphill, so it gets a little more 
difficult to pedal. Then you go downhill, and it 
becomes a little easier. But the reality is that you 
havent moved an inch. Youve spun your wheels 
without going anywhere. That is the idea Solomon was 
conveying. He was describing a life without God. 
   Have you ever wondered why the super rich 
or super famous often have substance abuse 
issues or other problems? I think its because 
they get to do what others only dream of. They 
accomplish a certain thing, and then they move on to 
the next thing. They experience another success, 
and then they move on to something else. They 
cant keep that high they were on, so they turn to 
the next thing. 
   You might say that Solomon tried it all, 
and he realized that it all was meaningless. He 
was saying, Im a seasoned pro. I know what 
Im talking about here. If you take God out of 
the picture, your life will be empty, 
meaningless, and futile. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   It is surprising how many Christians have 
never read the book of Ecclesiastes. One woman 
told me that Ecclesiastes was the one book in the 
Bible she could not read. "I am put off by all 
that pessimism and gloom," she explained. There 
is, however a purpose behind this pessimism and 
gloom. Dr. Cynddylan Jones, a famous Welsh 
preacher, put it like this: "No Christian will be 
ready to open himself up to God until he has been 
gripped, as Ecclesiastes was gripped, by the 
emptiness and pointlessness of life. It is only when 
we see, and see clearly, that life is not to be 
found in the world that we will be ready to move 
closer toward God."  
   It is interesting to observe that most 
philosophers, when they look reality in the face, come to 
the same conclusion as Solomon. Malcolm 
Muggeridge, for example, in the days before he found 
God, saw the world as "an interminable soap 
opera." Some graffiti found on the walls of Bath 
University was even more to the point: "Do not adjust 
your life, the fault lies in reality."  
   One of the reasons, I believe, that 
Solomon used such vivid illustrations is in order to 
break through our defensive attempts to avoid 
reality. Life "under the sun," he has told us, can be 
boring, fleeting, repetitive, and empty. Life will 
never be meaningful "under the sun" until we make 
contact with the One who is above the sun. Those who 
try to find meaning without living their lives 
to the Creator inevitably see life as an 
"interminable soap opera." Is it any wonder?  
   Gracious and loving Father, wean me off 
any idea I may have that life can be found 
"under the sun." Grant that I might be gripped by 
the truth that life, real life, is never found 
in the horizontal but in the vertical. In You. 
Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn 
Hughes devotional re vs 9] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   Rest in Me, My child, forgetting about 
the worries of the world. Focus on 
Me--Immanuel--and let My living Presence envelop you in Peace. 
Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same 
yesterday, today, and forever. If you live on the 
surface of life by focusing on ever-changing 
phenomena, you will find yourself echoing the words of 
Solomon: "Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is 
meaningless!"  
   Living in collaboration with Me is the 
way to instill meaning into your days. Begin 
each day alone with Me, so that you can 
experience the reality of My Presence. As you spend 
time with Me, the way before you opens up step by 
step. Arise from the stillness of our communion, 
and gradually begin your journey through the 
day. Hold My hand in deliberate dependence on Me, 
and I will smooth out the path before you. (Heb. 
13:8; Ecc. 1:2; Pro. 3:6) [Jesus Calling by Sarah 
Young] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210731-1003.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/