11.10.21
Searching for Pleasure
Last time, we considered Solomon’s search for meaning in life via wisdom. He now turns to the pleasures of life to see if they will satisfy. Listen to his words from Ecclesiastes 2.
I said in my heart, “Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. I made myself great works; I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards: I made for myself gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees: I got servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered to myself also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (1, 4-11)
After finding that human wisdom leads to disappointment, Solomon investigated the path of pleasure. As the king, he had resources and freedom to do as he pleased; therefore, he used every opportunity to satisfy the nagging ache in his heart. Yet, in pursuing pleasure, Solomon’s search was doomed from the start, for he again left God out of the picture.
Among other things, Solomon designed and constructed architectural masterpieces, and he collected a household of servants to maintain his grand scale of living. His holdings in cattle surpassed those of Saul and David, and he accumulated a vast amount of silver and gold. The palace was full of musicians and women Solomon had arranged for the full range of his pleasures to be indulged at a moment’s notice. If pleasure could give satisfaction, Solomon would achieve it.
What did Solomon actually find through all this effort? On the positive side of the ledger, Solomon accomplished many enjoyable things. His ego was boosted. He was surrounded by many wonderful and beautiful things that would not endure.
On the negative side of the ledger, his workers were conscripted from his own people, while His father had used foreigners to do the work. The people resented Solomon for this. It was painful for him to realize that his effort cost him more than the results he achieved. He could have pleasure, but it came at a very high price. Consequently, he concluded that the search for satisfaction through pleasure was “vanity and vexation of spirit.”
In what ways do people pursue pleasure today? Sports, possessions, leisure activity, alcohol, gambling, drugs, immorality, etc. and etc. None of these things satisfy. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can fully satisfy the thirsty soul. Come to Him with a repentant and trusting heart and He will take you in!