Ecclesiastes 2 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Ecclesiastes 2 Short Summary:

Solomon tested the offerings of the world and found them empty. Physical pleasure, wine, laughter, entertainment, accomplishing things, riches, making a name for himself, they were all vanity. Solomon discussed the fate of the wicked vs. the foolish, and lamented the short value of hard work.

Ecclesiastes 2 Bible Study

ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER SUMMARIES

• Ecclesiastes 1 - Solomon declares that life on earth is vanity. Earthly pursuits are largely meaningless. Men are born and men die in the endless cycle of the earth’s spinning. History is forgotten and repeated generation after generation.

• Ecclesiastes 2 - Solomon tested the offerings of the world and found them empty. Physical pleasure, wine, laughter, entertainment, accomplishing things, riches, making a name for himself, they were all vanity. Solomon discussed the fate of the wicked vs. the foolish, and lamented the short-term value of hard work.

AUTHOR:

• Ecclesiastes was almost certainly written by Solomon (Ecc 1:1), the son of David, the 3rd king of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah.

• His palace and the Temple of God were located in Jerusalem.

• Solomon became king in approximately 1015 B.C and reigned for 40 years.

OUTLINE:

• SOLOMON TESTS THE OFFERINGS OF THE WORLD (2:1-11):

  • Solomon hadn’t come to the conclusion that all of life is vanity without extensively testing that hypothesis.

  • In the opening of chapter 2, he describes the plethora of things he had pursued to try to find lasting contentment and meaning in life.

  • He exhausted the enjoyment of physical pleasure.

  • He tried to sustain himself on wine, laughter, and cheer, but those didn’t work.

  • He thought achieving great things would give him purpose, so he built houses and vineyards and gardens and parks, but his heart was still empty after his projects were finished.

  • He acquired possessions, gold, and servants in enormous quantities, but nothing he owned made life more than vanity.

  • Nothing he desired was withheld from him, but in all of it he found emptiness.

• LIVING WISELY VS LIVING FOOLISHLY (2:12-17):

  • Solomon evaluated whether it was really worth it to live in wisdom compared to living in folly.

  • When thinking only about the physical benefits of living a wise vs. foolish life, Solomon perceived that wisdom was preferable, but that it ultimately didn’t make that big of a difference.

  • A wise man will probably have the advantage on earth, but life plays out in a similar way for both the wise man and the foolish man.

  • Both suffer hardship and both ultimately end up in a grave.

  • This lack of distinction really bugged Solomon.

• THE DESPAIR OF HARD WORK (2:18-26):

  • What about a man who works hard? Isn’t there some value in hard work?

  • No doubt, hard work is a virtue, but Solomon recognized a really irritating truth about hard work. It bothered him that the profit earned from hard work couldn’t be taken into the grave, and it often ended up in the hands of undeserving people after the death of the hard worker.

  • A wise man may, through wisdom and work-ethic, make a profit, but when he dies, all his possessions will be given away, and they may be given to a fool who has never worked hard a day in his life.

  • Solomon looked at all his accomplishments and despaired when he thought they could all end up in the hands of worthless men.

  • Solomon concludes this section with some advice. He advises men and women to do their work, to try to enjoy their lives, and to make the best of the tough reality of life.

APPLICATION

• It’s worth noting that Solomon acknowledged the existence of God (see Ecc 2:24-25) but lacked the robust theology of work and righteous living that is explained further to God’s people in the New Testament.

• Jesus and His apostles teach us to do everything we do for the glory of God and in the name of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17).

• Even the small parts of our lives have purpose, and everything we do should be considered for its effectiveness in bringing God praise and pointing people to God.

• Our work is infused with meaning because we work for the Lord.

• Our interactions with others are infused with meaning because we can use those interactions to affect the souls involved.

• Our free time in meaningful, because its time God has given us to put to a useful purpose.

• Our sleep is even meaningful because God’s servants can’t serve Him when they are exhausted.

• Our “toil” (in Solomon’s words) is important because we can leave a legacy and provisions for future generations to glorify God.