Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 3 & 4
Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2
New Testament: Philippians 4:1-4
Solomon continues his investigation of the meaning of life by testing the pleasure of wine, building projects, music, sex, and philosophy. During his inquiry into pleasure and construction, he says that he did this while “wisdom remained with me” (Eccl 2:9).
But what sort of “wisdom” is Solomon espousing as having employed here? The wisdom that Solomon is describing is having his rational faculties still active and functioning. He is not referring to the divine wisdom which the Book of Proverbs is so focused on. Rather, “wisdom” here is Solomon’s maintaining his investigation on proper grounds and with his mind intact. Solomon is not talking about drunkenness or alcoholism. He wished to test enjoyment, but within certain boundaries, without losing himself and thereby preventing himself from acquiring the answer he set out to find.
His investigation was whether pleasure in various forms was a solution to the emptiness of life and the question of ultimate value. And thus, Solomon was seeking to determine if rational indulgence in one’s desire would result in satisfaction and meaning in life.
One question we could ask is why is wine part of pleasure seeking for Solomon but not cheesecake, chocolate, or ice cream? Of course, he didn’t have access to those things, but there is something particular about alcohol that makes it relevant to Solomon’s case.
One of the benefits for why God made wine is that it is said to “make people’s hearts glad” (Ps 104:15). This appears to be the beneficial purpose that Solomon is seeking to test. But ultimately it did not deliver what he was looking for. And the same result was discovered with regard to building, music, sex, and philosophy.
While money can’t buy happiness, it can buy food, fun, and frivolous things.
Why do we sometimes attach such meaning to things, as though if we don’t have them, then life is somehow incomplete, or we are missing out? The funny thing is that people are not likely to say that the meaning of their life is found in the things they own or could own. But practically speaking, many people act in ways that suggest that their money and their belongings play an excessively important role in how they view their success and wellbeing in life.
But money comes and goes and so do things. Can you imagine losing everything? It’s possible. It is possible that one day everything could be gone. Burned, stolen, wrecked, or bankrupt. You could end up with nothing. Would your life feel empty if you lost everything. I am not asking if you would feel loss, of course you would experience loss, everything’s gone. But would you feel empty now that everything you worked for has now vanished, and it is as if you never did any work your whole life. You have nothing to show for the years you labored. I think we all might struggle to not place undue significance on our money and possessions.
And so, after all these considerations Solomon concludes, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy good in his labor” (Eccl 2:24). While Solomon didn’t find the meaning of life in these activities, he did see that there is an enjoyment that a person can have in them. However, that enjoyment is elusive if it is not done from a heart that acknowledges it is a gift that comes from the “hand of God” (Eccl 2:24).
We must recognize that even the simple pleasures of life, while not providing ultimate meaning and lasting value, are still good things that God gives to us. Working hard and partaking of the fruit of our labor, and being able to provide for ourselves, our families, and our friends, can bring joy if done with the proper mindset. “For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy” (Eccl 2:26).
-Jerry Wierwille
Reflection Questions
- What brings you pleasure? Have you ever felt like, or acted like, these activities or things were the meaning of life? What might that look like?
- Are there pleasures that don’t come from the hand of God? If so, what are they?
- What do you think of verse 26?
Seek Grow Love 