The Words of the Preacher (Studying Ecclesiastes 1:1-2)
The Words of the Preacher (Studying Ecclesiastes 1:1-2)
Thinking Scripturally While Reacting Culturally
As we embark on our study of Ecclesiastes, what better way is there to begin than to think about “the Preacher,” Solomon himself, who is the author of the book?
The wisest man of the east? Yes, but Solomon didn’t always show it.
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I know exactly how to proceed” (in a particular situation), only to get caught up in the heat of the moment and make a bad decision?
This is because even though you very well might have been wise enough to know what to do, you weren’t prudent in that particular situation.
Think of the following like three rungs to a ladder:
First rung — Knowledge (the ability to know things, such as right and wrong) …
Second rung — Wisdom (the ability to know how to properly apply one’s knowledge, such as how to apply knowledge when presented with a situation of right or wrong) ...
Third rung - Prudence (not only the ability to apply one’s knowledge to make good decisions [wisdom], but actually following through and making those good decisions).
Thus, knowledge is certainly important (see Prov. 1:7), but wisdom is even more important, just as prudence is even more important than wisdom.
Knowledge < Wisdom < Prudence
Back to Solomon: his problem was that even though he was one of the wisest men to ever have lived (1 Kings 4:30), he wasn’t always prudent!
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon looks back at his life (probably as an old man), and he shows us an in depth look at his deepest, darkest moments in life, when he became downright depressed because he was …
Looking for happiness in all the wrong places!
Well, he couldn’t find it! He couldn’t find meaning. He couldn’t find contentment. He couldn’t even find rest for his over-worked mind!
He couldn’t find any of these things …
Until …
Until Solomon finally realized what life is truly all about!
He gives life’s true meaning in the final two verse of the book:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:13-14)
Solomon finally figured it out …
Probably as an old man who realized he had wasted much of his life!
We would be wise …
Hey, we would be PRUDENT …
if we would heed “the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”
“‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
All IS vanity without God in our lives …
so let us remember it, and let us be prudent with the time He has given us “under the sun!”
With love always,
Chase
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.