Ecclesiastes 1
There was a very rich king who lived in a well-built city; he had fine palaces with many gardens, trees, vineyards, and fountains: his throne was of ivory, with steps of gold; be had many officers and servants; singers and players to entertain him; many horses, cattle, and camels, land and silver and gold. Yet there was something he did not have, which he searched for many years, and could not find.
He was a son of David and ruled in Jerusalem, so we know he was the great king Solomon to whom God gave wisdom, riches, and honor more than to any other person.
Perhaps you cannot guess what this king could want, and could not find: it was to be happy and satisfied!
First he tried to be satisfied in all the wondrous things of the earth; he learned about the animals, birds, creeping things, fishes, plants and trees; he spoke and wrote of what he learned; he wrote many proverbs and songs; and he studied the works of other men; he directed time building of the great temple to God, and other buildings and things for the city.
This was all good, yet he was not satiied in heart; he asked,
“What profit hath a man of all his labor, under the sun?” and
‘Is there anything whereof it may be said, “See this is new”?’
You may think there are new things, as many inventions of things to use; and all things are first new to each person; but the king meant, the purposes of life are unchanged year by year, people live, work, eat, sleep, play and die; each one must leave what he has done, and others must work after him.
Perhaps you have seen more of the earth than this king; if you have, you know this is true,
“The eye is not satisfied with seeing”. Verse 8. You always want to see more. After this king had tried all, he said, “All is vanity (or empty).”
Why could not the king find true joy? Notice where he was searching,— “under the sun” (verse 14), which means on earth.
God has given to all, hopes and feelings which cannot be filled with what is on earth. This king believed in the Lord, but did not set his mind to learn of Him. The story of his search for joy is the book of the Bible called, “Ecclesiastes”, or “The Preacher.” The long word means “one who preaches to a company.” There is much useful and interesting in this book, but it especially teaches that it is useless to try to fill the heart with earth’s things.
Those who love the Lord may learn from the things of earth, and use all that is good for the honor of the Lord, but their hearts cannot be satisfied with what is “under the sun”.
But now we know what will satisfy our longing hearts. To know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and that our sins are washed away in His blood shed on Calvary’s cross, we have peace with God, rest for our souls, and joy unspeakable. We are satisfied in Him, and all His love to us.
ML 06/08/1941