Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Today we see the Preacher trying all sorts of things looking for meaning and satisfaction. He explores pleasure and samples whatever his heart desires. He tries sex. (And if this truly is Solomon speaking, with 700 wives and 300 concubines [I Kings 11:3], we can surmise that there was no shortage of sex!) He tries wine. He tries entertainment. (Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll!) He explores both wisdom and folly. He undertakes building projects, agricultural projects, parks and recreation projects, commercial ventures. He builds enormous wealth for himself. In short, he tries everything.
And the result of all this investigation? Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. (v. 11)
But here’s the curious thing: Thousands of years after Ecclesiastes was written, the vast majority of mankind continues to seek satisfaction in all these endeavors. And we keep coming up empty. Slow learners.
So what about you? Setting your catechism aside for the moment, where do you honestly look for meaning? To what do you devote your time and attention? What do you expect to gain from all your toil? And how is all that working out for you?
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” (v. 1) I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say that they are looking forward to retirement. It’s especially noteworthy when I hear younger people say that they are planning for (or hoping for) “early retirement”. I’m not sure whether the issue is “not working” (maybe they hate their jobs) or the Preacher’s “seeking after pleasure”. If the latter, then as John says below, they’ll be “coming up empty”. I’m retired and yes, retirement is good! Carol and I travel a lot more than we did when we were working; we find a great deal of pleasure in going to new and old places. But we also stay busy with St. Andrew’s and other volunteer activities. Our “pleasure travel” is not “empty”, but it is also not fulfilling, not like our service to the church. If we were only seeking after pleasure, I believe we would be empty, indeed!