Ecclesiastes 2:22-24 "For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God."
Ecclesiastes seems very negative to me at times. The whole "life is vain" thing is just kinda harsh, in my opinion. What is the point in your opinion?
Does this book make you think, or does it challenge you to anything better? Just wondering, I'd like to hear from you guys what do y'all think?
One of my favorite books of the Old Testament. Many the man can tell you that Solomon is right on the money as they've learned that wisdom, pleasure, alchohol, achievement, riches, sex, and even the pursuit of that trophy buck, all leads to emptiness if there is not a right standing with God.
Nothing is fulfilling enough to bring contentment to our lives except thru Christ Jesus.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
To go along with what Mac said, the points where he is despondent is prior to his gaining perspective about a life, no matter how filled with the pleasures of this world, some legit and some not, when it is devoid of the purposes of having God in His proper place--it , indeed, does lead to a uselessness and depressed state. It is similar to Matt 6:33--Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. When you seek things first, then your life is out of the natural order of things as set by the Creator, and the result is despondency.Things are not wrong in themselves, but when they take the place of something more valuable or eternal, then they can become a hindrance and a detriment. A table serves a purpose. Take it and try to get it to serve a purpose it was never intended( transportation)and a table can become very dangerous! Nothing wrong with the table, but it would be very wrong to attempt to take it for a spin on the freeway!
Is the glass half empty or half full? It all depends on how you read it. I see it as a victorious verse. The way I see that verse, as for the steadfast in faithfulness there is victory. I read that into verse 26.
2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes, Encouragment or Not?
