In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the preacher realises that he could have all that the world can offer him, but all is vanity, empty and useless without God. As he lacks the one thing his heart really desires. The Oxford English Dictionary has two definitions of vanity. Firstly, as excessive pride in one’s own appearance or achievements. Secondly, as the quality of being worthless and meaningless. The second definition is what I am going to be talking about today. The writer of Ecclesiastes was a wealthy and wise king of Israel by the name of Solomon. The book gives us a chance to see the world through the eyes of a wise man trying to find meaning in things of the world. Solomon gives us an insight into the temporal things of the age.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Almost every worldly pleasure and pursuit is explored by Solomon and none of them gives him a sense of meaning. The first seven chapters tell us of all the worldly pleasures that Solomon tries to find meaning in. Solomon uses the phrase “under the sun” which means things of the earth; human things. He writes in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”

Education is the first thing the preacher goes after. In chapter 1 verse 18 of Ecclesiastes, the Bible says, “Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.” I would like you to think of some people that the world regards as highly educated or intelligent. Richard Dawkins is one such a man held in great esteem by the world as a very educated and gifted man. He was educated at Oxford University and has academic degrees. Yet Mr. Dawkins believes that mankind came from apes and the world came from nothing and there is no God. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.” The Bible also says in Romans 1:22, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Highly educated Richard Dawkins is not a happy man. He has been divorced twice and married three times. He believes it is good to be selfish and mocks those who differ to him. If you watch his debates, he looks down on people that are less educated than he is. Human knowledge cannot find nor bring peace. This does not mean that we should not be educated, but it does mean that education does not bring happiness. Education is very important as without it you will not be able to get a good job or the job you want. Education provides a good, stable and healthy life, but does not provide meaning. For example, you need a good education to be a lawyer or doctor. Without a good education you may have to take a job that you’re not happy doing.

Solomon continues in the book to write about other things he tries to find meaning in. In 1:13-18 Solomon writes about the pursuit of wisdom and philosophy. We live in a world that is consumed by human wisdom and philosophy. In Colossians 2:8 the Bible says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Whenever the word “beware” appears in Scripture we ought to take extra care to listen to the Word of God on the matter. Many people have been ruined by listening to the vain wisdom of philosophy and the traditions of man. We have all the wisdom and knowledge we need to live a good and godly life within the pages of Holy Scripture. If you desire to gain wisdom look no further than the Holy Bible. There is nothing wrong with reading philosophy books, but be careful that the material does not lead you astray. Remember, that the Word of God is higher, better and superior to anything else written by mankind.

In the second chapter we read about the preacher’s pursuit for meaning in laughter. The preacher writes, “I said of laughter, it is mad: and of mirth, What doth it?” Solomon tested the meaning of life in pleasure and laughter, just like many people today. Solomon was left questioning the meaning of life still. Solomon continues to search for meaning in strong drink. Solomon quickly realised that there is no meaning in strong drink nor in the pleasures of the flesh. The Bible warns against strong drink, for there is no meaning in intoxication nor lasting peace. Scripture has much to say about the harmful effects of indulging in strong drink. Many people have ruined their lives as a result of the misuse of alcohol. Alcohol can’t bring meaning nor happiness. Did you know that alcohol is a depressive drug? If enough is drank the drug will attack the higher function of the brain. If drank in small amounts it will cause you to feel confident and affect your judgement.

Chapter two is full of the various worldly pursuits Solomon seeks to find meaning in. In verse four we have architecture in verses seven through to eight the Bible records his search in property and luxury. Scripture is not suggesting that these things are sinful in themselves, but they do not bring the fulfilment we all crave for. The life of the American actor and comedian Robin Williams is a good example of a man that had fame, wealth and fortune. Robin Williams, was one of the funniest actors in the world. He worked on many successful movies. You could say he had it all. Williams suffered from drug abuse and alcoholism. He used drugs and alcohol to cope with depression and Parkinsons Disease. Sadly, on August 11, 2014 at the age of 63 Robin Williams committed suicide. He was not at peace with himself and he was a man that suffered greatly. Robin Williams tried to deal with the troubles and fears of life alone. I am not singling out Robin Williams for any particular purpose as he is one of many people that sadly decide to end their life in such a terrible way. The Bible teaches us to trust in God and to cast our cares on him. Sadly, many people who try to live without God are tempted to despair. There were 5,965 recorded suicides in 2016 in the United Kingdom and 5,656 were registered in 2023. This is 372 more than in 2022. Around three-quarters of all suicides in 2016 in the UK were male. Ecclesiastes 2:17-18 says, “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me.”

Solomon also tried architecture and property. There are many people who think they will be happier if they live in a bigger house and have luxury. Do you really think that happiness comes from living in a big house? In chapter 6 Solomon seeks after wealth, family life and labour for the future. Wealth can’t bring fulfilment. Look up all the people who have won the lottery or are very rich. Most lottery winners will tell you that all that money ruined their life. They had too much too soon. Think of a person who on the surface appears to have it all then look at their private life and the way they think and treat people. Often these people are the most sad and miserable people on the face of the earth. Ecclesiastes 2:11 says, “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”

In the second half of the book in chapter 8 through to 12 Solomon writes how life should be lived. He comes to realise that life is meaningless and fleeting without God. Solomon advises the reader to acknowledge God from your youth. Meaning that we should take the earliest opportunity to seek God and live for him. In Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Solomon writes, “Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”

Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”. In the end of the Book of Ecclesiastes Solomon finds the answers to his true desire. God has placed the desire of Heaven in our heart. The Lord has given every man, woman and child the desire to find meaning and purpose for being. As God has placed this desire within us there must be an answer. That is why we feel at peace when we become a child of God. We are reminded over and over again in Solomon’s book of wisdom that striving after wealth and things of the world is not only vanity as it does not satisfy but even if we do obtain it all, without God we will lose the greatest gift of all. The gift of God himself.

Solomon mourns over his sin and realises the sin of worshipping the things of this world. In Matthew 5:4 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.” The type of mourning here is sorrow over sin. You may hear this verse read out at a funeral service to comfort those who mourn the loss of a loved one, but this is the wrong type of mourning. Solomon writes, “A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2). “For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten” says Ecclesiastes 9:5. After you die you cannot change what you have done. Has the devil deceived you that you will and can be happy and at peace without Christ? If so then I challenge you to read the life of King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. Read the stories of the world’s rich and famous. All is vanity without God. Solomon accepts that true faith in God is the only way to find personal meaning and purpose. He also accepts the fact that life is brief and worthless without God. My prayer and the prayer of the Christian Church is that you will realise the truths that Solomon wrote about; to focus on God and not the temporary pleasures of the world.