Vanity of vanities

[Thegoodground]

The book of Ecclesiastes is the summary of Solomon's findings concerning man and his environment, and the purpose behind everything. I suggest it was a reflective work later in his life (see Eccl 1:12) as he reviewed his experiences and all his learning concerning the Word of God.

In my short life (38) I have drawn to the conclusion there are very few people who set their minds to learning as Solomon did during his short probation.
Consider the opening verse:

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. (Ecc 1:1)

The word "Preacher" is the Hebrew, Koheleth, from qahal, the equivalent to Ekklesia — the gathered or called-out ones — the assembly. Fulfilling the meaning of the word Solomon gathers (or assembles) his practical experiences in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It is the ability to gather together and coordinate his experiences and to also observe life from Yahweh's point of view that makes this book so valuable, for it is the Word "given from one Shepherd", to “One Sheep” even from Yahweh Himself to His flock.

When I read the innumerable threads and subjects within this forum I cannot help but see Eccl 1:2 come to life in a very real and powerful way. I have been quietly reading the posts searching for the Words of a Preacher, or Preachers, but to no avail. Do the many words here come together or are assembled in one complete picture of truth, as is presented in this book?

This is not said to insult the members of Christianity Board; only to reveal a single truth...that Christianity is divided and segregated and if there be truth, it only consists in a very small minority in the earth. Those
who hold a single Gospel message; the true ekklesia of God's gathering preserved for judgement and glory.

That long standing truth will prevail...

"Except Yahweh build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Psa. 127:1).

TGG

 

[biggandyy]

This is not s preaching forum and preaching is discouraged generally. This is a discussion forum so please enjoy it as such.

 

[Spirit Covenant]

The book of Ecclesiastes is the summary of Solomon's findings concerning man and his environment, and the purpose behind everything. I suggest it was a reflective work later in his life (see Eccl 1:12) as he reviewed his experiences and all his learning concerning the Word of God.

In my short life (38) I have drawn to the conclusion there are very few people who set their minds to learning as Solomon did during his short probation.
Consider the opening verse:

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. (Ecc 1:1)

The word "Preacher" is the Hebrew, Koheleth, from qahal, the equivalent to Ekklesia — the gathered or called-out ones — the assembly. Fulfilling the meaning of the word Solomon gathers (or assembles) his practical experiences in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It is the ability to gather together and coordinate his experiences and to also observe life from Yahweh's point of view that makes this book so valuable, for it is the Word "given from one Shepherd", to “One Sheep” even from Yahweh Himself to His flock.

When I read the innumerable threads and subjects within this forum I cannot help but see Eccl 1:2 come to life in a very real and powerful way. I have been quietly reading the posts searching for the Words of a Preacher, or Preachers, but to no avail. Do the many words here come together or are assembled in one complete picture of truth, as is presented in this book?

This is not said to insult the members of Christianity Board; only to reveal a single truth...that Christianity is divided and segregated and if there be truth, it only consists in a very small minority in the earth. Those
who hold a single Gospel message; the true ekklesia of God's gathering preserved for judgement and glory.

That long standing truth will prevail...

"Except Yahweh build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Psa. 127:1).

TGG

We have a greater than Solomon who was without sin. Solomon who talked to the Lord twice died in His sin and none of Solomon's great wisdom could save Him. The Lord came in the flesh and taught those who will listen the secrets of life. He spoke pure truth to guide those who diligenly seek him to find the Living God

 

[Thegoodground]

Eccl 1:2 cmp Rom 1:21

Romans 1:21 gives the answer:

"When they knew God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened"

So it is possible to know the one true God - the Yahweh Elohim of Israel, but turn from Him toward the lusts of the flesh and its evil imaginations thereby being darkened through unbelief.

It is worth noting how quckly these lessons are drawn too in Romans and Ecclesiasties.

TGG

 

[Spirit Covenant]

Eccl 1:2 cmp Rom 1:21

Romans 1:21 gives the answer:

"When they knew God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened"

So it is possible to know the one true God - the Yahweh Elohim of Israel, but turn from Him toward the lusts of the flesh and its evil imaginations thereby being darkened through unbelief.

It is worth noting how quckly these lessons are drawn too in Romans and Ecclesiasties.

TGG

So if Solomon with all his wisdom could not save himself. Why would anyone with any understanding read his teachings?

 

[Thegoodground]

So if Solomon with all his wisdom could not save himself. Why would anyone with any understanding read his teachings?

The Work of Yahweh changes not as per Heb 1:1,2. If He spoke through Solomon, which He clearly did, is His Word not worthy of your attention?

I suggest so.

Eccles 1:2

Spirit Covenant,

The Spirit expands the same theme in the New Testament. Here the phrase "the all things" is used to describe the complete man (or woman) in Christ; one who being redeemed, stands in relationship to the "olahm" of Eccl 1:4 or the kingdom as "the all things" of Rom. 8:32; 11:36.

Actually its an interesting study to consider the "all things" spoken of in the epistles. 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 John 2:27 and so on..

Eccles 1:4

Generations pass yet the earth abides forever (for Olahm). How often are we amazed at the preciseness of the Word of God?

Take how many times Olahm is mentioned in Ecclesiastes.

7 times…it is a completely hidden or concealed period.

Very few in the earth actually understand those hidden things of the Olahm - the irony is for many Christians the devout Muslim is closer to the Olahm than their hands held high happy clap Christology which they confess with all sincerity.

This is one of the saddest realities in the earth prior to Christs coming. The Christian is woefully unprepared for Olahm.

Take the promises to Abraham and David. David in his last words called the covenant Yahweh made with him "a covenant of Olahm" (read it here 2 Sam 23:5KJV).

And the coming Kingdom upon the earth to be possessed by the true saints, read it here at Daniel 7:27KJV called "the Kingdom of Olahm".


And we already mentioned this Kingdom of Olahm here in Eccl 3:14, "Whatsoever (God) Elohim doeth it shall be for ever" (Olahm).

So the actions of the Elohim (angels) and future saints is paramount in the Olahm of God.

The paradox:

If the earth is “forever” and continues long after man whole being (spirit, soul, body, breathe etc) returns to dust…how can this be?

If Olahm is the forever then man must have been made for the Olahm. His mental capacity designed from his forming of the dust though made in the likeness of the Elohim.

Sin - - - > death

This leaves life empty without a hope of future immortality and glory and this is the grand theme of Solomon in Ecclesiastes for those who have ears to here what the spirit sayeth through this King of Israel.

He reveals his struggle to know and understand true wisdom (2 Tim 3:15,16)

"I know that whatsoever (God) Elohim doeth, it shall be forever (for the Olahm): nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it, and (God) Elohim doeth it that men should fear before him" (Eccl. 3:14). "He hath made everything beautiful in his time, also he hath set the world (Olahm) in their heart, so that no Adam can find out the work that Elohim maketh from the beginning to the end" (Eccl. 3:11).

Fleeting man (Adam) cannot discover this work. Only the Sons of God "begotten by the Word" (James 1:18), who "set their affections on things above not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2), "whose life is hid in Christ with God" (v. 3), can "find out the work that Elohim maketh from the beginning to the end" (Eccl. 3:11).

They alone will be able to stand or abide at Christ's appearing (Mal 3:2).

I hope dear you such a one who can see into the Olahm.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1Co 2:9)

After reading this above verse now read what follows 1 Cor 2:10.

TGG

Eccles 1:5,6,7

You can see behind these verses an attitude towards his whole environment. Depending on your attitude of mind these words can provide varying outlooks on life.

The Sun

Arising, going down, hasting, panting to his place where it arose — its a weary cycle of life to death (like Mount Horeb down through the Jordan river into the dead sea!) - or "as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race" (Psa. 19:5).

The Wind

Going, turning, whirling about and returning again.

Once again a weary cycle of life to death, or "As thou knowest not the way of the wind... even so thou knowest not the works of Elohim who maketh all" (Ecc. 11:5).

The Rivers

"ALL run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. Into the place from whence they come thither they return again". Either a weary cycle of life to death — or "the king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Prov.21:l).

God has shown man His handiwork and His design contains hidden lessons (both positive and negative) that teach him how to respond to His maker. The complete man need to understand His purpose with the earth.

Or perish.

Solomon understood that without His Word, inspired and powerful, he can never find the hidden wisdom which save a man from that weary cycle of life and death.

Consider the water cycle of Ecc 1:7 how great an example is God's dealings with man. There are those that God draws out of the sea of nations, by the warmth of the sun of righteousness and they will ultimately descend upon the subdued nations like "showers upon the mown grass" (Psa. 72:6).

One must be spiritually minded to comprehend the language of God.

TGG

 

[Thegoodground]

Eccles 1:8

Its a tough conclusion to draw to in life. Everything I do is full of labour and I cannot bring anything into order, or subdue it. For instance I cannot overcome my weariness of life and bring about my own reconciliation with my environment. My eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor my ears with hearing.

Why?

"Satisfied" is the Heb saba, meaning to fill to satisfaction.

I think its because my senses of sight and hearing were designed for far greater things than my finite mind can absorb.

We were made to be spiritual beings and not confined to our mortal dying frames though we hunger and thirst after the infinate.

TGG