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.  – Eccl. 1:17

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.  – Eccl. 2:1

Having introduced himself and given an overview of the message of the book in 1:1-11, Qohelet turns now to describe his quest to discover something of lasting value in life. In 1:12-2:11 he provides the details of his search, while in 2:12-26 he offers his assessment of it. This week we will consider the journey itself and its relevance to the innate human desire for meaning and purpose and next week we will consider his assessment of things.

We begin by noting the frequent references that Qohelet makes to his ‘heart’ (1:13,16,17; 2:1,10). The Hebrew term for heart is lev, which literally means ‘bowels.’ In Scripture, the heart is center of who we are; it is the seat of our intellectual, emotional, volitional, and spiritual life. Because we are made in God’s image to know and love Him, the longings of our hearts are meant ultimately to lead us to Him. However, we live in a world that has been cursed by sin and our hearts are no longer reliable guides. Although we are told to love God with all our heart (Deut. 10:12; Matt. 22:37), we are also warned that our hearts can be deceitful (Jer. 17:9). The story of Qohelet’s quest for meaning resonates with us because we share the same desire to find purpose and significance. It must also, however, serve as a warning to us because if his willingness to uncritically indulge every desire of his heart. 

Qohelet begins, as is his habit, with give us an overview or summary as well as a brief assessment. He informs us that he gave himself fully to the task of exploring “all that is done under heaven.” He then tells us that what he discovered was that there is something fundamentally wrong with the world, which he describes in a brief poetic verse (v.15). As we consider his description of the world as ‘crooked’ and ‘lacking,’ we are reminded once again that we inhabit a world that has been cursed by sin and that the effects of that curse are felt by all who stop to consider the nature of things. With these things stated, Qohelet now relays for us the specifics of his search for meaning.

The first aspect of the human experience to be examined was in the realm of the intellect, which makes sense in light of Solomon’s biography that we considered in Part 2. Given his extraordinary wisdom (reason/intellect) and extravagant wealth, Qohelet was able to devote himself to the study of “wisdom and knowledge.” This surely involved study of the wisdom literature of other nations as well early writings on philosophy, science, and biology. As he considered these things, he would also have understood their opposites which he refers to as “madness and folly.” His conclusion, however, was that with increased wisdom and knowledge came increased ‘vexation’ and ‘sorrow.’

With the failure of rationality and education, Qohelet turns to consider if the pursuit of pleasure can give meaning to life. In 2:1-11 he informs us that he indulged in laughter and distraction (1:2), excessive consumption of alcohol (1:3), great construction projects (1:4-6), the acquisition of great wealth (1:7), and in sexual experiences (1:8). In verse 9-10 he summarizes the journey and states that he denied himself nothing that his eyes or his heart desired. He is also honest enough to state that he took great delight and enjoyment in these activities while he was involved in them. However, at some point later in life, he looked back upon all of these experiences and came to see the emptiness in it all. Although it was temporarily enjoyable, those moments had past and there was nothing meaningful which remained. The realities of old age and his own impending death led him to conclude that the pursuit of pleasure was utterly fruitless in terms of providing in lasting sense of gain.

As we consider Qohelet’s journey, there is a part of us that is enticed by and perhaps even jealous of Qohelet’s experiences. And yet, we must sense in his own words as well as in our own hearts, an anxiety. Qohelet is desperate to discover what is good for a person to do in life and we ourselves want to make sure that we “get the most out of life.” We know we only have one life, and we are terribly anxious not to miss out on anything. The reality, however, is that no amount of wisdom or experience of pleasure can straighten out what has been made crooked or fill up what is lacking. What we truly need is to be delivered from this crushing anxiety and fear.

In Luke 12, Jesus addresses His anxious followers and tells them not to be burdened with the things of this life but instead “to seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Jesus was speaking to those who were poor and were anxious about the basic needs of life (food, clothing), but His words ring true for us as well. The desires that we have for things which may never be ours in this life need not overwhelm and discourage us. We live in a world that paints visions of lesser ‘kingdoms’ that we desire to experience and yet, even if we could enter into them, we would find them to be crooked and lacking. What we truly desire is the consummate Kingdom of God which Jesus assures His people is theirs and will be given to them (Luke 12:32).

Join us this Sunday as we consider Qohelet’s search for meaning and Jesus’ words of encouragement to His people!

Soli Deo Gloria.

-Thomas