04/25/2025 – Day 299 – Ecclesiastes – Chapters 1 – 2 / “Vanity of Vanities: All is Vanity” Halley’s Bible Handbook
The 1st cycle post dated 03/12/2021 gives an excellent summary of the book and Solomon’s life, the author of this book of the Bible.
Here is Halley’s commentary:
Vanity of Vanities: All is Vanity
“The is the them of the book. It embodies also an attempt to give a philosophic answer as to how best to live in a world where All is Vanity. The book contains many things of Superb Beauty and Transcendent Wisdom. But its predominant strain is one of the Unutterable Melancholy: so different from the Psalms.
David, Solomon’s father, in his long and hard struggle to build the kingdom, was forever shouting, Rejoice, Shout for Joy, Sing, Praise God. Solomon, sitting in peaceful security on the throne of David had build, with Riches, Honor, Splendor, Power, and living in almost Fabled Luxury, was the one man in all the world whom men would have called Happy. Yet his unceasing refrain was, All is Vanity. And the book, a product of Solomon’s old age, leaves us with the distinct impression that Solomon was not a happy man. The word “Vanity” occurs 37 times.”
Commentary from here is provided by “The Evidence Study Bible – NKJV”:
“1:2. The reality of death makes this life futile – until we come to know God through the new birth (see John 3: 3-8). Sadly, many of the godless have a shallow life philosophy until they are at death’s door…”
“2:11 All is vanity. Seeing the futility of the transient nature of life is often the first sign of spiritual awakening. So over hesitate to speak with the ungodly about the reality of death. Remind them of its appointment. Make them face the fact that it could seize on them at any moment, and make sure you use the Law to bring the knowledge of sin and prepare the heart for grace.”
“What has been, and is now, one of the strongest feelings in the human heart? Is it not to find some better place, some lovelier spot, than we have now? IOt is for this that men are seeking everywhere, and yet, they can have it, if they will; but instead of looking down, they must look up to find it. As men grow in knowledge, they view with each other more and more to make their homes attractive, but the brightest home on earth is but an empty bard, compared with the mansions that are in the skies.” D.L. Moody
Soli Deo Gloria!