The Great Experiment

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

INTRODUCTION: Solomon is perhaps one of the greatest minds ever to live. We certainly know he was the wisest man alive in his time (1 Kings 4:30-34). His wisdom was such that people came from every direction to hear him speak of any subject. The Book of Ecclesiastes gives insight into the greatest study of Solomon’s lifetime – the study of life, of meaning, and of God.

I. SOLOMON’S QUEST

A. Solomon’s Qualifications for Study – “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.” (Ecclesiastes 1:12)

1. His power
2. His wealth
3. His popularity

B. Solomon’s Statement of Purpose – “I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 1:13)

1. Though Solomon was the son of David, the man after God’s own heart, he was determined to figure things out for himself.
2. Solomon desired to give himself to anything and everything in hopes of finding “reason” and true knowledge and true “wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 7:25).
3. It was obviously not enough for Solomon that his father had loved the Lord. Now he had to know for sure what life was all about. What could fill the emptiness of man? What could satisfy man’s natural thirst?

II. SOLOMON’S FINDINGS

A. Concerning Leisure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

1. He gave himself to wine and laid hold on folly (Ecclesiastes 2:3).
2. He made himself great works (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6).
a. Houses (Ecclesiastes 2:4)
b. Vineyards (Ecclesiastes 2:4)
c. Gardens and orchards (Ecclesiastes 2:5)
d. Pools of water (Ecclesiastes 2:6)
3. He got himself servants (Ecclesiastes 2:7).
4. He got himself silver and gold (Ecclesiastes 2:8).
5. He got himself the greatest of entertainment (Ecclesiastes 2:8).
6. He kept from himself nothing of all that he desired (Ecclesiastes 2:10).
7. He saw that all was vanity and vexation of spirit (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

B. Concerning Learning (Ecclesiastes 2:12-16)

1. He saw that wisdom excelled folly (Ecclesiastes 2:13-14a).
2. He saw that both the wise and the fool die (Ecclesiastes 2:14b-15).
3. He saw that both shall be forgotten (Ecclesiastes 2:16).
4. He saw that this was vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:15b).

C. Concerning Labour (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23)

1. He saw that a man’s labour produces sorrow and grief (Ecclesiastes 2:23a).
2. He saw that the labouring man faces new troubles (Ecclesiastes 5:9-11).
3. He saw that the labouring man’s heart taketh not rest in the night (Ecclesiastes 2:23b; Ecclesiastes 5:12).
4. He saw that a labouring man can take nothing with him (Ecclesiastes 5:14-16).
5. He saw that a man could properly labour his entire life only to leave it all to a fool (Ecclesiastes 2:18-21).
6. He saw that this was vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:17).

III. SOLOMON’S CONCLUSIONS

A. If There Were No God

1. Everything is vain (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14; Ecclesiastes 2:11, 17, Ecclesiastes 3:19; Ecclesiastes 11:8; Ecclesiastes 12:8).
2. Man is no different than a beast (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20).

B. Since There Is a God

1. Remember the Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
2. Fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
3. Keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
4. God shall bring every work into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

CONCLUSION: There appears to be a void in man that can only be satisfactorily filled by the Lord and His word (i.e., the woman at the well). Leisure, labour, and learning leave men tired and empty. Only God can satisfy you in the end.