So, Solomon's experimentation on our behalf moves onto its next phase in this study. In Chapter 1 we saw Solomon toiling away on our behalf in the world's libraries, establishments of learning, laboratories, etc. And, that experiment concludes with disappointing results. "The more knowledge, the more grief" (Eccl 1:18).
So, he storms out of his library and into an entirely different pursuit - worldly pleasures. You can read about them in this particular study.
What I find fascinating is that we have already read about most of these things elsewhere in the Bible, but from a very different perspective. Solomon's so-called achievements are mentioned in glowing terms. ...
... in 1 Kings 9:15-19, we read of Solomon's wonderful buildings.
... in 1 Kings 10 we read of Solomon's splendid wealth
(v27 says that silver was as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones)
... in Prov 21:1 we infer that Solomon was familiar with the directing and redirecting of water
... in Kings 11 we read of Solomon's many wives
... in Ezra 2:58 we read that after the captivity, people were still identifying themselves as being part of Solomon's household of intergenerational servants (slaves?)
... in Matt 6, even Jesus refers to Solomon's grandeur.
But now we get to go behind the scenes. It reminds me of watching a DVD first, and then afterwards watching the same DVD with the director's commentary. The first time you are convinced that you are in an authentic ancient Japanese fishing village. Then, you hear the director explaining that it was filmed in a warehouse on the outskirts of Los Angeles. When you watched the DVD you were convinced that the people were happy and passionate about what they were doing. Then the director tells you that during that scene, the actors and actresses were actually very tired, irritable with each other and just ready for the shoot to be over.
This is the sense I get from Eccl. 2. We have seen the glossy, grand rendition of Solomon's reign throughout the Bible. But now, we get to see that it is not quite like it was portrayed. Fascinating.
It makes me think of the Christmas and New Year's letters we have received over the last month. Our friends and relatives appear to live quite grand lives. Overseas trips, high-achieving children ... You know how these letters go; we all send them out. Each one reads like an application for the Nobel Prize for family life. But, what would the letters really say if they were written as honestly as Ecclesiastes 2? Why are the things mentioned in these letters seldom the things that are mentioned by friends and family at a funeral?
What would your Christmas / New Year's letter to friends and family say if you could honestly relate what had and had not worked in your life? Would some of your year's biggest 'achievements' also be listed as your biggest disappointments? What would that kind of honesty mean to children and young people who are shaping their view of success after the 'official' version of our lives instead of the 'behind the scenes' version?
Lord, enable us to review our 'greatest achievements' with the same honesty that Solomon displays in Ecclesiastes 2.
So, he storms out of his library and into an entirely different pursuit - worldly pleasures. You can read about them in this particular study.
What I find fascinating is that we have already read about most of these things elsewhere in the Bible, but from a very different perspective. Solomon's so-called achievements are mentioned in glowing terms. ...
... in 1 Kings 9:15-19, we read of Solomon's wonderful buildings.
... in 1 Kings 10 we read of Solomon's splendid wealth
(v27 says that silver was as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones)
... in Prov 21:1 we infer that Solomon was familiar with the directing and redirecting of water
... in Kings 11 we read of Solomon's many wives
... in Ezra 2:58 we read that after the captivity, people were still identifying themselves as being part of Solomon's household of intergenerational servants (slaves?)
... in Matt 6, even Jesus refers to Solomon's grandeur.
But now we get to go behind the scenes. It reminds me of watching a DVD first, and then afterwards watching the same DVD with the director's commentary. The first time you are convinced that you are in an authentic ancient Japanese fishing village. Then, you hear the director explaining that it was filmed in a warehouse on the outskirts of Los Angeles. When you watched the DVD you were convinced that the people were happy and passionate about what they were doing. Then the director tells you that during that scene, the actors and actresses were actually very tired, irritable with each other and just ready for the shoot to be over.
This is the sense I get from Eccl. 2. We have seen the glossy, grand rendition of Solomon's reign throughout the Bible. But now, we get to see that it is not quite like it was portrayed. Fascinating.
It makes me think of the Christmas and New Year's letters we have received over the last month. Our friends and relatives appear to live quite grand lives. Overseas trips, high-achieving children ... You know how these letters go; we all send them out. Each one reads like an application for the Nobel Prize for family life. But, what would the letters really say if they were written as honestly as Ecclesiastes 2? Why are the things mentioned in these letters seldom the things that are mentioned by friends and family at a funeral?
What would your Christmas / New Year's letter to friends and family say if you could honestly relate what had and had not worked in your life? Would some of your year's biggest 'achievements' also be listed as your biggest disappointments? What would that kind of honesty mean to children and young people who are shaping their view of success after the 'official' version of our lives instead of the 'behind the scenes' version?
Lord, enable us to review our 'greatest achievements' with the same honesty that Solomon displays in Ecclesiastes 2.
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