1. Insights into the Meaning of Life
Pursuit of Wisdom
Title Slide: Insights Into the Meaning of Life...Pursuit of Wisdom (Eccl.2:12-17)
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

2. Introduction
Solomon is now going to consider the subject of wisdom, madness and folly
Previously mentioned this 1:17
God had given him the one thing he asked for WISDOM—who better to make this search for the real meaning of LIFE?
Introduction…
* Solomon is now going to begin broaden his search for answers…
* Next on his list is “pleasure.”
* Along with this he will also add the vanity of “great accomplishments”
* God had given him the one thing he asked for WISDOM—who better to make this search for the real meaning of LIFE.

3. Ecclesiastes 2:12,13
“Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king? Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness."
Text: Eccl.2:12,13…

4. Ecclesiastes 2:14
“The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all."
Text: Eccl.2:14…

5. Ecclesiastes 2:15
“So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."
Text: Eccl.2:15…

6. Ecclesiastes 2:16
“For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!"
Text: Eccl.2:16…

7. Ecclesiastes 2:17
“Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind."
Text: Eccl.2:17…

8. Wisdom vs. Folly Generally, wisdom will excel folly
Just as true light is better than darkness
John 12:35
Wisdom does have value—but is not the solution to all things
He does see the superiority of wisdom over foolishness
One needs to have some wisdom—but can it be one’s chief goal?
Wisdom Vs. Folly…
* Generally, wisdom will excel folly
* Just as true light is better than darkness
John 12:35
* Wisdom does have value—but not the solution to all things
* He does see the superiority of wisdom over foolishness
* One needs to have some wisdom—but can be one’s chief goal?

9. Wisdom vs. Folly Says lots of good things about wisdom in the book
One needs to have certain amount of wisdom…
In other ways the wise and fool are the same
Wise man makes use of his eyes and walks in the light
The fool makes no use of his abilities and walks in darkness
Death is the lot of both!
Wisdom Vs. Folly…
* Says lots of good things about wisdom in the book
* One needs to have certain amount of wisdom…
* In other ways the wise and fool are the same
* Wise man makes use of his eyes and walks in the light
The fool makes no use of his abilities and walks in darkness
* Death is the lot of both!

10. Wisdom vs. Folly As one grows older death becomes a reality
Sadly, young people thinks it’s off in the “distant future”
Luke 16:19-22; Hebrews 9:27
Why is wisdom better? Does it exempt one from death?
Looking for the chief good—keep death in mind
Consider it, prepare for it—when it comes we realize the foolishness in striving for our accomplishments
Wisdom Vs. Folly…
* One grows older death becomes a reality
* Sadly, young people thinks it’s off in the “distant future”
Luke 16:19-22; Hebrews 9:27
* Why is wisdom better? Does it exempt one from death?
* Looking for the chief good—keep death in mind
* Consider it, prepare for it—when it comes realized the foolishness in striving for our accomplishments

11. Wisdom vs. Folly
How many know the names of the wise men of ancient Egypt?
A man works himself to death to become a great wise man, but one generation later, he is not even remembered! What a waste!
The wise man dies like the fool!
Hated the grievous toil of striving to gain wisdom.
Why? In the end it brought him nothing!
Again, IF this is one’s main goal and purpose in life!
Wisdom Vs. Folly…
* How many know the names of the wise men of ancient Egypt?
* A man works himself to death to become a great wise man, but one generation later, he is not even remembered! What a waste!
* Wise man dies like the fool!
* Hated the grievous toil of striving to gain wisdom
* Why? In the end it brought him nothing
* Again, IF this is one’s main goal and purpose in life!

12. Conclusion
Understand this is considering things from the “earthly ” vantage point.
Human wisdom is needed in life, but can it be one’s chief pursuit?
Sadly, many with high intelligence deny the existence of God!
Can earthly knowledge bring one into a closer relationship with God?
Education and knowledge have their purpose—but it’s not the answer to all of life’s problems!
Conclusion—Invitation…