To start off, let’s take a look at a great example of the emptiness that we are left with when following the ways of this world. Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon who may have been the wisest man this world has ever seen, and because of his wisdom he became probably the most wealthy. With all of his wisdom, wealth, and accomplishment he still lived a life that was unfulfilled. See if you can identify with the vanity that he speaks of? Can you see the American dream that is driven by consumerism and the schemes of the “wise” that steal your life?
Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 2:11
1 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 of all his labor which he takes under the sun? 4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides forever. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind returns 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, to that place they return again. 8 All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 The thing that has 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. 10 Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It has been already of old time, which was before us. 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. 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 has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is lacking cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Behold, I am come to great estate, and have got more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yes, 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 increases knowledge increases sorrow.
2 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove you with delight, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of delight, What does it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the exclusive treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Here is what the wisest of men has to say at the end of his life after having searched everywhere and everything for purpose and pleasure and fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes 12:8-14
8 Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity. 9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Solomon found that self-gain, self-improvement, the self and all works of the flesh are vanity, having no lasting reward and will ultimately leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. God judges all things according to His will, His purpose, His Word, and it is these things that have reward in this life and in the one to come. Solomon talks about vanity or the foolishness of a life lived according to the wisdom of the world. Our lives are full of chasing the wind. Apart from God, this life sucks and is totally vain. We run in circles trying to gain happiness and peace and a sense of accomplishment. So much of our life is wasted on the simple provision of food, drink, clothing, and shelter leaving us little time for God and what we were truly created for.
Yahushua taught that this was foolishness. He said that when we seek Him and His kingdom reign and His righteousness the things that we have need of would be provided by Him. The problem is that we don’t trust Him. We trust in what we can see; we trust in what we can do. We don’t believe that God is who he says He is, or that He will do the things that He said He would do. If we do come to the point of believing that He is and that He will do the things He says, we expect Him to start doing those things while we are still trusting in ourselves. This is not faith. If it is by grace that we are saved through faith, and this is how we are living we may be in for a huge surprise at the end of our life on this earth. If this statement challenges you, it’s probably a good time to press deeper into your relationship with God to know what He has to say and who He really is.
