Today’s passage: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17
Helpful thoughts:
- Solomon pursued pleasure in alcohol, foolishness, properties, building wealth, artistry, entertainment, sex and more. He took for himself whatever he wanted, and did more than we could ever accomplish. None of it satisfied him.
- Solomon pursued his wisdom, and though it was better than chasing folly, it still didn’t satisfy and he knew death was coming either way.
- The result of Solomon’s “experiment”…He hated life. Solomon was complaining.
- Remember, the Bible is honest. Solomon is revealing his heart. He was in sin and was dissatisfied.
Questions to consider:
- What is consistent of Solomon’s pursuit of folly and his pursuit of wisdom? Who was he doing it for? What was his goal in either pursuit? (Compare Solomon’s motivations in 1 Kings 3:6-9 with today’s passage.)
- In our pursuit of folly, what is it that we actually want? What motivates us? What are we hoping to get/gain?
- in our pursuit of wisdom, what is it that we actually want? What motivates us? What are we hoping to get/gain? (As Solomon expressed, there is a wrong way to pursue wisdom.)
- What motivation will result in joy and contentment?