ECCLESIASTES 1:12-2:26 & 9-11

The reason why these two sections are treated together is seen in the diagram below, which indicates that they are parallel in some way:

Overall Structure of Ecclesiastes

A. Prologue (1:1-11)

    B. The ultimate futility of pursuing wisdom (1:12-2:11)

        C. The common fate of the wise man and fool (2:12-26)

            D. God’s time for everything, including judgment (3:1-22)

                E. Enjoyment of work better than pursuit of riches (4:1-5:20)

                E'. Prosperity and adversity both come from God (6:1-7:14)

            D'. God’s time for everything, including judgment (7:15-8:17)

        C'. The common fate of the righteous and the wicked (9:1-10)

    B'. Live wisely but realize that success is uncertain (9:11-11:10)

A'. Epilogue (12:1-14)

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26

1:12-18 Wisdom is meaningless (NIV headings)

v. 15 probably means that we cannot change events no matter how hard we try.

v. 17 Different ways of translating the Hebrew: (a) replace folly with prudence, (b) four contrasting items – knowledge and wisdom vs. madness and folly.

v. 18 In light of the above, the more we know about the evil in the world, the more depressed we become (a danger for news addicts).

2:1-11 Pleasures are meaningless Look at Thomas Jefferson as an example; he spent so much time and money endlessly re-designing Monticello that he could not afford to free his slaves and ended up bankrupt.

Solomon's activities can be categorized as hobbies. When is pursuing a hobby wrong?

David Moore, Ecclesiastes, Holman OT Commentary: “Many people live with the illusion that seeking pleasure as the summum bonum of life will yield lasting fulfillment. They are convinced that 'pleasure sought is pleasure found.' Ironically, the same people believe that it is virtuous to 'seek truth,' as long as one never subscribes to the naive notion that truth can be found. It is no wonder then why 'modern man' is aimless, restless, and bored. Anxiety is commonly used as a defining characteristic for such people. But why do those who mock absolute truth and embrace self-indulgent pleasure as the highest good have such anxiety” Solomon has told us why. No diversion can completely satisfy as a substitute for God.”

2:12-16 Comparison of wisdom and folly.

2:17-23 Toil is meaningless

I saw the example of the only billionaire I have ever met. His major concern was avoiding estate tax so that he could give all his money to his children. One of them made a futile run for the presidency, another one took much of his inheritance to produce a horror movie, and a third one became a humorless workaholic who, by his own admission, neglected his family.

Conclusion: 2:24-26 Enjoy your work . This conclusion doesn't seem to follow what has preceded. Discuss.

This section concerns a ruler who uses his great wisdom and great resources at his disposal in pursuing a purpose in life. But the situation is even worse in most cases since both wisdom and power are seldom possessed by the same person.

Ecclesiastes 9:11-11:10

This paired section consists of two parts:

9:13-18 The fate of a wise man with no power

10:5-6 The sad situation of power in the hands of fools. Fortunately, we never have to worry about that with America's leaders.

In both sections, however much wisdom may be valued, its limits are also pointed out: it increases sorrow (1:18), leads to nothing lasting upon earth (2:11), does not bring one success (9:11), is seldom appreciated by others (9:15b-16), its effects can be overturned by a little folly (9:18-10:1) and, ultimately, is incapable of controlling events and probing the secrets of God.

Conclusion: 11:1-6 Don't give up. Hedge your bets. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your portfolio. I know of one retiree who gave all of his money to a friend to invest it for him. The friend put it all in a South American bank stock. The retiree and his wife ended up working at Walmart as long as they were physically able to.