Commentary on Ecclesiastes 7-12
Chuck Smith explains that Solomon's search for life's meaning under the sun reveals the futility of human reasoning apart from God, emphasizing that true purpose and life are found only in Jesus Christ.
In this expository sermon, Chuck Smith explores the profound truths found in Ecclesiastes chapters 7 through 12. He highlights Solomon's journey of searching for life's meaning through worldly pursuits and the resulting despair when life is viewed apart from God. Smith contrasts this with the hope and true life found only in Jesus Christ, encouraging listeners to move beyond natural reasoning to divine wisdom. This sermon offers deep insight into the human condition and the Christian hope that overcomes it.
Text
Tonight we want to return again to the book of Ecclesiastes beginning with chapter 7. And as we return to the book of Ecclesiastes, again, it is important that we make note of the fact that the book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his later years. After he had assiduously pursued to find the purpose and meaning of life in so many different things: in wisdom, in wealth, in fame, in building, in pleasures. And after his pursuit, which carried him into every area and experience of life, he came up with the conclusion that life is empty and frustrating. Solomon made the mistake of searching for purpose in life under the sun. And if your purpose is limited to under the sun, chances are you will come up, as Solomon, with the conclusion that life is a mistake. That it is not worthwhile. That everything is only filled with emptiness and frustration.
But God did not intend for you to live a life under the sun. God intended that you should experience real life in the Son. In First John we read, "And this is the record, that God has given unto us, even eternal life, and this life is in the Son. And he who has the Son has life" (1 John 5:11-12). There is real life. There is real meaning and purpose to life. When you find the life in Jesus Christ.
The life apart from Him, apart from the spiritual dimension, living a life on the animal plane of a body-conscious experience and a body-conscious level will lead a person to despair even as the philosophies of today have concluded. That man will be led by reason to despair. Life is hopeless. Thus, man must take a leap into the upper story of experience and man must have some kind of a non-reasoned religious experience to save him from the despair of reality. And so the philosophy led man to the point of despair by reason. And then his only suggestion for man is jump out of reason. Become unreasonable. Take a leap of faith into a non-reasoned religious experience in order that you might not despair because life is hopeless. This is the conclusion that Solomon drew after trying everything.
Now as we read the book of Ecclesiastes, it is a book of despair. "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity and vexation of spirit" (Ecclesiastes 1:14). The conclusions that Solomon came to are conclusions of natural, human reasoning apart from God. Therefore, they are not to be taken as doctrinal truths. You are dealing with a man searching for life apart from God and his conclusions are not doctrinal truths. Except that they do bring to you the end result of natural reasoning, but not divine wisdom. So they show you man apart from God and the despair and hopelessness of man apart from God. And the conclusions that are drawn are in that kind of a background. They\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to Ecclesiastes and Solomon's later years
- Solomon's pursuit of meaning in wisdom, wealth, and pleasure
- The conclusion of life's vanity under the sun
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II
- The limitation of human reasoning apart from God
- The despair that results from a life lived on the natural plane
- Philosophical implications of despair and the leap of faith
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III
- The distinction between Solomon's natural reasoning and divine truth
- The purpose of Ecclesiastes as a depiction of man apart from God
- The call to find life in the Son, Jesus Christ
Key Quotes
“Solomon made the mistake of searching for purpose in life under the sun.” — Chuck Smith
“God intended that you should experience real life in the Son.” — Chuck Smith
“The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his later years after he had assiduously pursued to find the purpose and meaning of life.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize the limitations of seeking life's purpose through worldly means alone.
- Embrace the life and meaning found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Avoid despair by trusting in divine wisdom rather than relying solely on human reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes?
The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his later years.
What does 'under the sun' mean in Ecclesiastes?
'Under the sun' refers to life viewed from a purely natural, earthly perspective without reference to God.
Why does Solomon conclude life is vanity?
Solomon concludes life is vanity because he searched for meaning in worldly things apart from God and found them empty and frustrating.
What is the solution to the despair described in Ecclesiastes?
True life and meaning come from a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Does the sermon view Ecclesiastes as doctrinal truth?
The sermon explains that Ecclesiastes reflects natural human reasoning and despair apart from God, not doctrinal truth.