Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of Ecclesiastes

Chapter 2

Eccl.2:1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity.

Those given to drudgery want pleasure to enjoy life with no pain, but such is an illusion which becomes an addiction. The addiction brings with it much pain and heartache stronger than the life the person is trying to escape from. Who can be content in a world of pain?

Ps.90:10 The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away. 90:11 Who knows the power of your anger, your wrath according to the fear that is due to you? 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

This truth is what Solomon address here in the second chapter of Ecclesiastes, real peace and contentment is found only in the dreams and hopes of mankind, but seldom realized in life. The world and people living in it are selling others something to make life better. Movie stars would have us believe all the glamor and riches brings contentment and the good life the rest of us so desire upon earth, auto dealers sell dreams, not cars, the package of happiness if we just had this certain vehicle making a statement of our happiness and success in life.

Isaiah 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can't rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble.

But the truth march on, pain, death and disappointment, lack of appreciation for all of our hard work diminishes as does our life finally to its end in death, all is vanity, nothing is gain, or can be taken with us into death. Nobody puts a luggage rack on top of hearse, nobody on their death bed ask to see all their material things before they died just once more.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.

Psalms 146:4 His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.

This truth is found in God's word into the Greek writings which is all of us must soberly face the facts of life, and use our life in storing up treasure not on earth, but in heaven with God. We must understand we are not the exception to the rule, Solomon takes us from youth into old age proving because of where we are, nothing changes like the season of earth, we will arrived although youth might deceived us, we will all end up in the same place that this life without God is vanity.

Luke 12:19 I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."' 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'

The nature of our fallen flesh from birth is to think we are different the exception that we can beat the laws of sin and death. It is to build a kingdom in our life, for ourselves, to get around what others had to face, the whole system is based upon that lie, which Eve actually believed.

James 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

1 Timothy 6:8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."{Deuteronomy 31:6}

However, truth is, none have or will without God there is no gold at the end of the rainbow, there is a pursuit for happiness by every thought under the Sun, but the gold is not there it is lie that does not exist. Contentment is a rare jewel in this life, its not the pursuit of material things, nor is it found in a bottle or drugs, its not found in an agenda, or a religion, its not found in us. It is however, sold in every endeavor under the Sun, which will prove to be a lie, now or at death!

Matt.6:19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Heb. 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen{TR adds "and being convinced of"} them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 11:14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
11:15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Facing the truth is wisdom, a wisdom God will happily give us, as he did Solomon if we ask. God can and does give contentment in the hope of a new heavens and earth, if we live for them, if we endure in truth upon earth that is the real reward for all our hard working being done under the Sun, to know God, and to be known by him, so that we might have comfort in this world, and give comfort to others while we await the real life, the life given us freely in God's love, nothing in God or eternal life will be vanity.

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, when you fall into various temptations,
1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
1:4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

Eccl.2:2 I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?" 2:3 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

There are many that live to party having no concept of money, or being responsible, never paying their bills on time, nor showing up for work on time, if at all! Such conduct is shocking to responsible people, sadly most of them are living off a responsible person dime having no respect for their hard labor in not being foolish.

Proverbs 10:4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

Proverbs 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

Proverbs 15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.

They live as though they have skirted what the rest of us must do in this life, but Solomon found out the truth regarding laughter of mirth, drunkenness, and/or drudgery that it is foolish, having no value bring nothing good but a few minutes of false happiness, such folly is nothing but vanity. What did it bring the person in their live for a time very short on this earth, as life but a mist? Foolishness, disrespect, pain, trouble, we are not skirting what others face upon earth daily in making responsible decision, it ends in the same place, death, where our thoughts perish.

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

Life is vanity on this earth under sin, because without God and a hope of eternal life, what is the point? First, life itself tricks us, when we are young we think we have forever, we think older people are just foolish and over cautious and most are. We think we are different, and individually we are different but not enough to escape death. And then there is the good old days of glory and all the stories people tell us about fun. making us envy, but forgetting the truth of all the fear, pain and trouble they've caused themselves and others.

Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Psalms 89:48 What man is he who shall live and not see death, who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.

One generation comes and one goes into the dust, but each generation has eternity in their hearts forget the truth, think a mere 70 to 80-years is forever, but its not. Soon if one survives they see the truth of life, its full of unkindness, greed, and hurtful desire where people will do almost anything for some recognition. How much better sober up, speaking the truth, search for God and build everlasting treasure in heaven where pain, sorrow, and death will be no more? Where the real life starts and never finishes, where perfect direction comes that can do no harm or cause any regrets, where people love each other like family members, and riches are not needed for false pride and position. Yes, like James Christ half brother stated its better to mourn now than latter, it better to be reject a few short years than to sell one soul for a few hours of a good time.

Micah 7:3 Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.

Luke 12:19 I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."' 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'

But all of that take faith, not in man, but in truth, of Christ, so we might have real joy of a heavenly Father being proud of us, where he blesses us with every good gift of his love.

James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. 5:2 Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. 5:3 Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. 5:4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies{Greek: Sabaoth (for Hebrew: Tze'va'ot)}. 5:5 You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

James 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. In you will all of the families of the earth be blessed."

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Don't fear what they fear, neither be troubled."{Isaiah 8:12}

Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Yahweh, and their offspring with them.

Eccl.2:4 I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. 2:5 I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. 2:6 I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared. 2:7 I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem; 2:8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men--musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. 2:11 Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

We often see new plants coming up in the spring of the years fighting their way into existence creating a fruit or a vegetable, and than dying in the fall of the year. We give it little or no thought to this yearly process, for its is the cycle of life on earth. But the real question is, have we actually given thought to the human life cycle? Why ask? Because what Solomon expressed above is what each human being experience in this life, they may not come close to the material wealth Solomon accumulated, but when they come up in the spring they all fight their way to gain power and control of their life by things they gained upon earth, than back to the dust, and their thoughts do perish.

Isa.40:6 The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field. 40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass.

No amount of wealth, and the joy it bring to our hearts is going to make us live in longer than the generation that followed us. A plant may last a few days longer maybe a month, but it will perish once its job for a few seasons is finishes! The question Solomon came to realize as bitter as it was, its is all vanity, a chasing after the wind. Whom can catch the wind, whom can keep their spirit from leaving their body at death?

Isa.40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."

Psalms 1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?

Why would a man lie to themselves that the wind can be caught by gaining material things, or living the best life upon earth is some how a right, and we must like a plant with no soul or brain follow the same course without choice, and serve pleasure and material things? No! Solomon never said finding, and knowing God was in vain, or a chasing after the wind. He clearly said our pursuit on earth is pointless without doing what the maker of us us ask.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.

James 1:11 For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.

Deception seems to be a part of us? When we think we are the first, the last, and the best, when billion upon billion of lives are found in the dust before us, with only a head markers so we can remember someone lived on earth? Is such thinking not folly to the full? Like an unthinking plant that has no choice, but to grow and produce the same fruits all the other plants of its specie has before it dies?

Psalms 74:18 Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"

Yes, we live in deception if we follow the same course of thinking that we are somehow different by what we accumulate is justified that we can beat the odds, we can do as we please when ever, and for whatever reasoning we can drum-up. It is a chasing after the wind, for dust blows in the wind, the same dust that we must come into if we believe the cycle of life before us. Solomon went to the dust, so went his kingdom, so went his power, so went his thoughts, so went his fun under the Sun. But not the Son of God, whom rejected this world, and its lust, dying a painful death. He did not allow the truth to be lost, he did not accept the kingdoms of this world, he did not try to make a lasting name for himself.

Philip. 2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ trusted God, with his whole soul, mind, and heart, he built lasting treasure in heaven, and opened a door for us to do the same. But we cannot take the broad and spacious road of pursuing riches upon earth, we must suffer, and be rejected by this world to do the will of our Father in heaven. Yes, we must not let the pride of our flesh justify our action by labeling our efforts with Christ name, we must walk in the truth, as hard, and narrow that road be - to find the glory of God.

Rom. 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."{Psalm 44:22} 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eccl.2:12 I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.

Eccl. 2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. 2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness--and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all. 2:15 Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity.
2:16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!
2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
2:18 I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
2:19 Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
2:20 Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
2:22 For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?
2:23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
2:24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. 2:25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? 2:26 For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Being content, who can find contentment? Who can live within their means and be content in this world, in this flesh that pushes us to gain more in this life? Its much like the mouse on the wheel in a cage running and running never going anywhere for when he is done he is tried. Yet, he will run again, never reaching the end.

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

Solomon was given the wisdom of God, and he saw the end of his own life on earth it was vanity a chasing after the wind, his works did not quench the fire of more achievements, he could not stop although he laid awake a night worrying about all he had done and wanted to do he did not have contentment for all his labor under the Sun.

Hebrews 13:5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."{Deuteronomy 31:6}

Solomon work was done in great wisdom from God yet he called it vanity a chasing after the wind why? Because who could say who would take charge of his projects, his works after he was gone? Someone would lay hold of them and just like all human do with great pride and ego claiming them as their works perhaps foolishly letting them be taken and/or destroyed! What peace can come from that, very little.

Revelation 3:17 Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

It remains me of a story I was once told. A very wealth man took a vacation to Hawaii each year, and in the morning he loved to run on the beach, but every time he did he encounter a bum setting in a chair with a drink and fishing pole in his hand smiling and absolutely doing nothing!

The bum would greet him and the rich man would run right past him. But this year it was different the rich man hate this guy and got angry each time he saw him. So he stop oneday and said: “Why don't you get a job!” The bum replied: “OK, than what would you have me do?”

Will this went over like a lead balloon with the rich man: “You could buy a home, pay taxes, contribute to society.” The bum said: “OK than what?” “What? Replied the rich man are you a fool you could leverage the home and get a business have some employees!”

“Than what the bum replied?” This really made the rich man angry!
“What are you an idiot you could build a corporation perhaps become one to the fortune five hundred companies like me!” The bum said, “Will than what?”

The rich man became so frustrated and angry with this guy, he was baffled for words: “What do you mean? I don't understand your thinking, you could say you made it!” “Well than what?” What do you mean than what? You could take a vacation once a year like me and walk on the beach and do nothing for three week!”

1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."{Job 5:13}

Luke 9:25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

Than what is the lesson for Christian's in Solomon's wisdom; like the cycle of our earth so goes our life we come into this world with nothing and we will go out of this world with nothing do we really understand this?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's. 2:17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.

The creation testifies to what we can expect, it does not hid the truth, we live a lie, we get caught up on the wheel in the cages we stress become angry because this life demands much from us, and everyone that enter into it! But at the end of it, we have no control of our spirit it will leave us, and all we did, our loves, hates, and jealousy will perish with us, and so goes our works and under the sun.

James 1:10 and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. 1:11 For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.

2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

By: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus

Completed: April 04, 2015