I. Problem stated: “All is vanity,” Chapter 1:1-3
Solomon pursued in this book every avenue, experience, and interest of man in this life to find satisfaction and fulfillment. Solomon as king had full freedom to carry on this experiment, and he was not hindered by financial or power limitations. He could go the limit in every direction.
The result is “vanity” — emptiness. Frustration and dissatisfaction met him in every experiment. The conclusions are human, apart from the divine, made by the man under the sun. This is the ultimate end of man’s efforts apart from God.
Do not misunderstand what is meant by “inspiration” when we say that the Bible is inspired by God. Inspiration guarantees the accuracy of the words of Scripture, not always the thought that is expressed. The context should be considered and attention paid to the person who made the statement, and under what circumstances (e.g., in the betrayal of Christ by Judas, the record of the event is inspired, but the act of Judas was not God-inspired, but was satanic).
Keep in mind that the conclusions in each experiment are human, not God’s truth. This is man under the sun, entirely separated from the “Sun of righteousness” who is the Son of God.
II. Experiment made, Chapters 1:4 — 12:12
Seeking satisfaction in the following:
A. Science (the laws of nature), Chapter 1:4-11
v. 4 — Earth is permanent; man is temporary. Continuity of mankind is maintained through births.
vv. 5-7 — The laws of nature are as fixed as the material universe itself. Some remarkable scientific statements are made here. v. 8 — This is a good verse to hang on the TV set. Man cannot exhaust the exploration of the universe. The more he learns reveals that there is still more to learn. This is frustrating. The physical universe is too big for little man.
vv. 9-11 — The statement that there is no new thing under the sun seems to be untrue in this age of “gadgetry,” but it is true. It is said that the atom bomb is new, but the atom has been around a long time. Actually, the atom is older than man, although man did not know it existed for a long time. All man has accomplished is to make the little atom a very difficult neighbor. The nosy human should have let sleeping dogs lie.
A computer brain and electronic nervous system can bring to man no deep and abiding satisfactions.
B. Wisdom and philosophy, Chapter 1:12-18
v. 13 — The experiment.
v. 14 — All systems of philosophy lead up a blind alley.
v. 15 — Philosophy and psychology cannot change human nature, nor can they correct the old nature of man. As the twig is bent, so the tree grows.
v. 18 — Joy and satisfaction do not increase in ratio to the increase of knowledge.
Solomon pursued in this book every avenue, experience, and interest of man in this life to find satisfaction and fulfillment. Solomon as king had full freedom to carry on this experiment, and he was not hindered by financial or power limitations. He could go the limit in every direction.
The result is “vanity” — emptiness. Frustration and dissatisfaction met him in every experiment. The conclusions are human, apart from the divine, made by the man under the sun. This is the ultimate end of man’s efforts apart from God.
Do not misunderstand what is meant by “inspiration” when we say that the Bible is inspired by God. Inspiration guarantees the accuracy of the words of Scripture, not always the thought that is expressed. The context should be considered and attention paid to the person who made the statement, and under what circumstances (e.g., in the betrayal of Christ by Judas, the record of the event is inspired, but the act of Judas was not God-inspired, but was satanic).
Keep in mind that the conclusions in each experiment are human, not God’s truth. This is man under the sun, entirely separated from the “Sun of righteousness” who is the Son of God.
II. Experiment made, Chapters 1:4 — 12:12
Seeking satisfaction in the following:
A. Science (the laws of nature), Chapter 1:4-11
v. 4 — Earth is permanent; man is temporary. Continuity of mankind is maintained through births.
vv. 5-7 — The laws of nature are as fixed as the material universe itself. Some remarkable scientific statements are made here. v. 8 — This is a good verse to hang on the TV set. Man cannot exhaust the exploration of the universe. The more he learns reveals that there is still more to learn. This is frustrating. The physical universe is too big for little man.
vv. 9-11 — The statement that there is no new thing under the sun seems to be untrue in this age of “gadgetry,” but it is true. It is said that the atom bomb is new, but the atom has been around a long time. Actually, the atom is older than man, although man did not know it existed for a long time. All man has accomplished is to make the little atom a very difficult neighbor. The nosy human should have let sleeping dogs lie.
A computer brain and electronic nervous system can bring to man no deep and abiding satisfactions.
B. Wisdom and philosophy, Chapter 1:12-18
v. 13 — The experiment.
v. 14 — All systems of philosophy lead up a blind alley.
v. 15 — Philosophy and psychology cannot change human nature, nor can they correct the old nature of man. As the twig is bent, so the tree grows.
v. 18 — Joy and satisfaction do not increase in ratio to the increase of knowledge.
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