Ecclesiastes 1.2 ("Diversity" Leads To Meaninglessness)

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” [Ecclesiastes 1.2]

Oh man, what a revelation today! The verse above is a pure bummer! However, the progression of events leading to this verse is not without a huge lesson for all who will hear it.

If the arrangement of the OYCB is anywhere close to accurate time-wise, then, this verse is placed in succession to some events that clearly explain its meaning.

Here is how it all begins:

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD. [1 Kings 11.1-3]

And, lest we be unclear of God's opinion of Solomon's "diverse" harem...

The LORD was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. [1 Kings 11.9]

So we can see Solomon stepped out of God's favor. Big mistake.

Even though God indicated that Solomon would lose the kingdom, He made it clear that it would not be in Solomon's lifetime. Disaster averted, right? Wrong.

Check this out:

Then the LORD raised up Hadad the Edomite, a member of Edom’s royal family, to be Solomon’s adversary. [1 Kings 11.14]

God also raised up Rezon son of Eliada as Solomon’s adversary. [1 Kings 11.23a]

Another rebel leader was Jeroboam son of Nebat, one of Solomon’s own officials. [1 Kings 11.26a]

Yes, even though 'wouldn't lose the kingdom' during his reign, he was not off without trouble! In fact, great trouble came to Solomon.

Is it any wonder then, that Solomon would pen the opening verse of this post?

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” [Ecclesiastes 1.2]

Here is the aforementioned progression of events:

1. Solomon took wives he knew were wrong to take
2. Solomon's foreign wives turned his heart away from God
3. God turned away from Solomon
4. Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam became no uncertain enemies of Solomon creating nothing but trouble for Solomon
5. Solomon's life (in his estimation) is reduced to meaninglessness

Meaningless is the end-result of Solomon's disobedience.

I have to say, I have at times experienced this meaningless myself sadly because I have rebelled against God. I will be so bold to declare that many, maybe all, who have experienced this same meaninglessness can trace their condition to disobedience to God.

Even though Solomon did not lose the kingdom in his lifetime, he was plagued with trouble and meaninglessness. Even though it looked like he "got off the hook," he certainly did not. What a miserable existence.

I will be paying particular attention to further reading of Ecclesiastes to see if there is any indication therein that Solomon actually repented...

Father, no doubt, the meaninglessness I have experienced in my life is tied directly to disobedience in my life. Show me my heart oh God, I want to be pure and holy in Your sight! I want meaning in every aspect of my life. I want Your Kingdom established firmly in me and generations to follow!