Ecclesiastes 1:15-2:11 – The Question of Joy

As we continue in the book of Ecclesiastes, we see Solomon’s questions and quest to find lasting meaning and purpose. Last week, Solomon’s question was “What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecc 1:3). After his inquiry, his answer was “nothing.” In that, he asserts that nothing lasts forever. It is all vanity, or as the Hebrew literally means, “breath.” It is all “breath.”

The next inquiry by Solomon is found when he says, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure, enjoy yourself” (Ecc 2:1). We saw this morning that this “pleasure,” or more accurately “joy” was not a sinful and self-indulgent pleasure seeking – but it was a joy that was sought through great accomplishments, or “great works” (Ecc 2:4).

Solomon details out how he sought to build great things, but in the ends, his life’s accomplishments did not bring about lasting joy, and there was no lasting, eternal gain – or profit under the sun (Ecc 2:11).

Let’s examine why Solomon failed to find enduring happiness and joy in “the toil he had expended” (Ecc 2:11) and how we can find eternal joy in the gospel.