The Hebrew word for vanity is 'hebel', which means emptiness. I pulled out my Webster dictionary and also found the following meanings: want of substance to satisfy desire; uncertainty; fruitless endeavor, vain pursuit. Solomon starts in verse 2 with 'Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.' Not exactly what you want to hear about the efforts you may be putting forth in life, right?
The next phrase of interest in this book comes at the end of verse 3, 'under the sun'. The author of the Bible Study I am reading notes that the phrase is used 29 times in the book of Ecclesiastes. That is a lot of repetition. It has to be a very important point. Solomon is giving perspective on the location of everything that is meaningless, everything that has left him empty. I can envision him standing face to face with us, hands on our shoulders, direct eye contact, doing his best to make sure we get it. 'I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.' (vs 14) Solomon is saying that he has found that everything under the sun leaves him empty and troubles his spirit.
We know from learning about Solomon that he was the wisest that has ever been. In verses 16-18 we learn that is wasn't just Godly wisdom, it was also man's knowledge. He was a very educated man. Wisdom in itself proved to only be troubling to his spirit as well. 'The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.' (vs 8) Everything that is accomplished(honor, reputation), gained(riches, power), or learned(knowledge, man's wisdom) 'under the sun' will never be enough. Fleshly desires accomplished leave you wanting more, never satisfied.
This first chapter is the introduction of the truth that our purpose in life, our hope, our direction, our happiness, fulfillment will not be found looking below the sun.
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