Overcoming Disgust with Life

Ecclesiastes 2:12-23

Ecclesiastes, part 4

Solomon presents four arguments that seem to prove that life is really not worth living:
1.) The monotony of life (Ecc.1:4-11)
2.) The vanity of wisdom (Ecc.1:12-18)
3.) The futility of wealth (Ecc.2:1-11)
4.) The certainty of death (Ecc.2:12-23)

Here is the main question this passage lays before us:

What is the Value of Wisdom in Light of Death's Certainty?

1. Solomon says that he turned to behold "wisdom, and madness, and folly."

Solomon compares wisdom, madness, and folly in relationship to the certainty of death. Let's consider the meaning of these three words.

"Wisdom" is the fear of the Lord, seeing life from God's perspective. The wise person depends upon the Lord.

"Madness" speaks of loud, boisterous, and nonsensical behavior. This word is used to describe David's behavior when he acted insane (1 Samuel 21:13). It also describes a drunkard (Jeremiah 25:16). Solomon uses this word in Ecclesiastes 1:17, 7:25, 9:3, and 10:13.

"Folly" is similar to madness, but it suggests a lack of moral or spiritual sense. It is close to the word, "fool." This word is also used to describe a man who acts out of fear and thus behaves rashly, rather than acting wisely out of a confidence based upon God. Folly is seeking security apart from God, and making decisions as if there is no God. Saul played the fool when he sought to kill David. In Jeremiah 4:22, folly describes a culture that is wise to evil but ignorant of what is good. In Ecclesiastes 7:25 we see how madness and folly are together are entrapped by the immoral woman.

2. What two things do the wise man and the fool have in common? (v.12-17)

Answer: Both the wise man and the fool die, and both the wise man and the fool are forgotten. The "one event" mentioned in verse 14 speaks of death.

3. What is Solomon's conclusion to this frustration? (v.17)

He laments, "Therefore I hated life." In effect, he says that life is nothing but trouble, a chasing after the wind, and vanity. Life seemed irrational.

4. Since we are all going to die, how does wisdom have more value than madness and folly?

How can we keep from this kind of disgust with life?

Verse 14: The wise man's eyes are in his head. Compare this to Proverbs 17:24 which says that "the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth." This means that a fool's eyes are looking in many directions at the same time. A fool is doubleminded in his ways. A key to being overcome with futility is to not be looking in every direction at the same time. Remember that the "eye is not satisfied with seeing" (Ecc.1:8).

Read 1 Peter 3:10-12 and see Peter's prescription for loving life. In the light of these things, how can we love life when futility is all around us? How can we keep from the trap of hating life?

We must first of all be prepared to die. The only one who is prepared to LIVE is the one who is prepared to DIE. Are you saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? The wise man keeps his eyes focused on the eternal God and His Word.

1 Peter 3:10-12 give us principles for loving life.

1) Stop your tongue from speaking evil and guile. Complaining, criticizing, and cursing will not lead to peace, but only to guilt.

2) Turn around from evil. Eschew means to turn aside from evil, and we must do good.

3) Hunt after peace. Pursue peace diligently with God and all men.