Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 1:12-13 12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.

Narrative of Ecclesiastes

Narrative of Ecclesiastes 3rd Person – Overview Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Narrative of Ecclesiastes 3rd Person – Overview Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 1st Person – Narrative Ecclesiastes 1:12-12:8

Narrative of Ecclesiastes 3rd Person – Overview Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 1st Person – Narrative Ecclesiastes 1:12-12:8 3rd Person – Summary Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

How he sought meaning? Ecclesiastes 1:13 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly.

What is meant by “wisdom”? Wisdom (hakmah) – technical skill, aptitude: experience, good sense; worldly wisdom; wisdom of God…

Where he applied his wisdom? Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Why is he limiting his search? Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

What he discovered. Ecclesiastes 1:15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

The Gift of Futility Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Creation Subjected to Futility Romans 8:20–21 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

C.S. Lewis “How could an idiotic universe have produced creatures whose mere dreams are so much stronger, better, and subtler than itself? Do fish complain of the sea for being wet? Or if they did, would that fact itself not strongly suggest they had not always been or would not always be purely aquatic? If you are really the product of this materialistic universe, why don’t you feel at home here?”

Wisdom that does not frustrate. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 1 Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,