WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.639 So I'd like to ask Jay Posnikoff to come forward. 00:00:05.639 --> 00:00:11.580 And one of the things that Jay is doing, he only found out a little while ago, 00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:15.540 but he's going to be an instructor at the Nipawin Bible College. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:21.460 So that's exciting to know that we have, you know, he was at Hillsdale, 00:00:21.740 --> 00:00:26.120 and now he's going to go over to NBC and be an instructor there. 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:26.960 So thank you, Jay. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:28.320 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.140 Good morning. Good to see you again. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:40.880 So as Charles said, my name is Jay Posnikoff. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.500 I'm here with my wife, Caitlin, and our two kids, 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:47.379 and also their grandpa and great-grandpa. 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:51.560 So this is our first time at Davidson Community Bible Church, 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:55.500 but certainly not our first time in the Davidson area. 00:00:56.700 --> 00:00:59.260 We've lived in Saskatchewan our whole lives, 00:00:59.259 --> 00:01:05.739 and we've stopped across the highway on countless occasions as we've traveled between Saskatoon and Regina. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:13.700 And also, as Charles was saying, I've recently been hired as an instructor at Nipawin Bible College, 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:19.879 but we currently live in Regina, where I am serving Hillsdale Baptist Church as an intern. 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:27.459 And as you probably know, Hillsdale is associated with the Baptist General Conference of Canada, 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:33.420 which is, as you've heard, the same denomination that you've recently joined. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:39.799 And that means our churches are sisters, and sisters need to help each other out. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:46.299 One of the ways sister churches can help each other out is by sharing preachers. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:52.239 The senior pastor of our church heard that Pastor Josh was going on a well-deserved sabbatical, 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.879 so that's why I'm here today. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:01.259 It is an honor and a privilege to preach the word to you this morning, 00:02:01.260 --> 00:02:06.480 and thank you for the hospitality you've shown us already. 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:11.360 The text for my sermon is found in the Old Testament. 00:02:11.980 --> 00:02:14.020 It was written by a wise old king. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:19.879 You can make a case that he was the second wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth. 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:24.800 In one sense, he lived in a context very different from our own. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:32.860 And yet, when we read his ancient writings, we find some striking parallels to our current situation. 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:41.620 Before we open our Bibles, I want to identify some foundational assumptions and beliefs 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:44.560 that are presently shaping our culture. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.680 And please stay with me as I speak somewhat abstractly here. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:53.400 I promise to make things more concrete and practical as we move on. 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:59.300 Perhaps you've heard the saying, ideas have consequences. 00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:09.300 Well, the ideas that our society has gradually been embracing over the last 60 years are having consequences. 00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:12.820 We see changes around us in every direction. 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:21.800 Think about the realms of communication or education, ethics, and shopping, for example. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:28.680 These aspects of our Canadian experience are quite different than they were even 25 years ago. 00:03:29.580 --> 00:03:32.540 Some of these changes are due to advances in technology. 00:03:33.260 --> 00:03:40.280 But a lot of the changes we notice are the consequences of what could be called replacement ideas. 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:53.000 These are basic ideas or foundational ideas about reality that have replaced the beliefs held or assumed by most of our parents and grandparents. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:04:02.099 Philosophers and sociologists have a label for the atmosphere that's resulted from this exchange of ideas. 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:06.079 And that label, maybe you've heard it before, is postmodernism. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:07.780 Postmodernism. 00:04:08.819 --> 00:04:16.680 The postmodern atmosphere or ethos has been picking up steam steadily since the 1960s. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:24.480 And we're now at a point where the average young adult has thoroughly postmodern assumptions. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:31.900 They've often picked up these assumptions slowly and unconsciously as they live their lives through screens. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:37.300 Apps, movies, TV, social media, texting, video games, etc. 00:04:39.240 --> 00:04:44.740 Most of these technologies aren't inherently evil, but they aren't inherently good either. 00:04:46.020 --> 00:04:49.560 Technology disciples us one way or another. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:56.699 Of course, many older adults have postmodern assumptions too. 00:04:57.780 --> 00:05:10.340 But Generation X, baby boomers, and today's great-grandparents observed a society that functioned on the ideas that postmodernism is replacing. 00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:13.459 And that's no longer the case for younger people. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:25.680 In the world we live in, the five following beliefs, postmodern beliefs, are communicated daily in some form or another. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:31.459 Number one, there is no truth with a capital T. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:37.359 We can't know it because we haven't experienced everything or heard everyone's voice yet. 00:05:38.359 --> 00:05:43.199 Small-t truth is communally constructed. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:49.379 That is to say, truth is constructed by the community. 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:57.079 A given community may be tied to a physical location or exist via the internet. 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:03.679 Belief number two, all gods and religions are of equal value. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:15.620 Anyone who chooses to be spiritual or religious is making a choice based on their upbringing or personal taste, just like they would at a buffet. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:24.100 Number three, history is a complex series of random, disconnected events. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:30.560 There is no rhyme or reason to the past, and the human race has nothing to look forward to. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:37.199 An all-encompassing, coherent story that applies to everyone cannot be told. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:49.579 Postmodern assumption number four, every form of self-expression that doesn't hurt others should be accepted and celebrated. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:59.039 Intolerant people who won't accept and celebrate all such behaviors should be criticized and regarded with suspicion. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:05.040 And postmodern belief number five, self is sovereign. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.620 Whatever feels good must be right. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.660 No one can tell me I am wrong. 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:18.740 These beliefs are relatively new to Western society, at least at a popular level. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:25.080 But we know from Scripture that there is nothing new under the sun. 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:33.420 One biblical figure in particular held to very similar beliefs, and he decided to follow through on them. 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:41.280 His story is scattered throughout the Old Testament, but the opening chapters of Ecclesiastes are where we'll focus this morning. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.140 Please turn there with me. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:48.920 The opening chapters of Ecclesiastes would be page 539 in the Pew Bible. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:51.200 I'm reading from the NIV. 00:07:54.200 --> 00:07:59.720 The words of the teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:04.020 Meaningless, meaningless, says the teacher. 00:08:04.760 --> 00:08:05.660 Utterly meaningless. 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:08.620 Everything is meaningless. 00:08:09.540 --> 00:08:14.160 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:19.320 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:24.400 The sun rises and the sun sets and hurries back to where it rises. 00:08:25.200 --> 00:08:28.360 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north. 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:32.080 Round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:37.060 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:42.139 To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:46.340 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:51.960 The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:54.539 What has been will be again. 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.800 What has been done will be done again. 00:08:56.799 --> 00:08:59.879 There is nothing new under the sun. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:04.859 Is there anything of which one can say, look, this is something new. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:08.199 It was here already long ago. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:10.079 It was here before our time. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:12.959 No one remembers the former generations. 00:09:13.959 --> 00:09:21.519 And even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:30.340 The question that immediately confronts us is, who is this nameless teacher? 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:37.600 These are his words, so if we know who he is, we're going to have a better understanding of them. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:44.740 If I pick up a book, and I haven't heard of the author before, I want to find out who that author is. 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:46.580 Where is he coming from? 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.399 What should I expect? 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:48.259 Who are his influences? 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:54.820 Well, in this case, we learn that the man behind Ecclesiastes is Jewish royalty. 00:09:54.820 --> 00:10:00.420 More specifically, he's a son of David, king in Jerusalem. 00:10:02.160 --> 00:10:08.260 As I was meditating on this passage this week, it dawned on me that we're talking about a son of David in Davidson. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:11.300 I didn't plan on that, but there you have it. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:23.599 Now, David only had one son who really became king in Jerusalem, so the obvious answer to our question would be none other than King Solomon. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:27.639 But some Christians are skeptical about that conclusion. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.919 They seriously doubt that he wrote Ecclesiastes. 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:39.500 I think that's mistaken and sad, because they can't read Ecclesiastes with the knowledge that Solomon wrote it. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:45.960 Again, when you know who the author of a book is, you're going to have a better understanding of it. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:51.600 I believe we're supposed to know that this is Solomon writing, because he essentially says so. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:55.759 It's about as clear as it would be if I said, 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.980 the man I'm thinking of is the son of Pierre Trudeau. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:03.000 He's the prime minister in Ottawa, and he used to be a teacher. 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:06.179 You all know who I'm talking about. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:13.079 And we should all know who the author of Ecclesiastes is, because he tells us in three places. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.219 We've already seen one of them. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:22.199 Although, to be fair, the objection is that son can sometimes mean descendant in Scripture. 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:27.479 So verse 1 alone is not conclusive evidence pointing towards Solomon. 00:11:28.099 --> 00:11:32.519 It could have been another one of David's descendants who was king in Jerusalem. 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:36.659 Then in verse 16 of chapter 1, we read this. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:41.840 Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me. 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:46.399 This is the second piece of evidence that points to Solomon. 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:53.919 We know from 1 Kings 10 that King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:58.579 But some Christians will read Ecclesiastes 1.16 and say, 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:03.899 that can't be Solomon because only David had ruled over Jerusalem before him. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:08.139 I could point you to a commentary where this objection is made. 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.919 But it doesn't hold water. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:17.240 David was the only Israelite king before Solomon to rule over Jerusalem. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:20.539 But Jerusalem had already been a city for centuries. 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:23.899 Many kings ruled over it before David did. 00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:31.099 In fact, two kings of Jerusalem whose names end with Zedek are mentioned in the Bible. 00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:34.699 Remember Melchizedek from Genesis 14? 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.679 Well, he's described as the king of Salem, 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:42.179 which Psalm 76 tells us is a short form of Jerusalem. 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:48.860 Then in Joshua 10, we learn about a Canaanite king of Jerusalem named Adonizetek. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:53.139 Of course, there would have been many more kings of Jerusalem than these two Zedek's. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:56.019 But these are the two that are mentioned in Scripture. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:59.039 So, this second piece of evidence, 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:04.899 where the author claims to have increased in wisdom more than anyone who ruled over Jerusalem before him, 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:07.960 makes perfect sense if Solomon wrote it. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:13.700 The third piece of evidence is found in the second chapter of Ecclesiastes, verse 7. 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:19.960 I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.860 This is an indication of his wealth. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:27.500 Earlier in Ecclesiastes, we heard about the king's unprecedented wisdom. 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:31.000 Now we're hearing about his unprecedented wealth. 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:35.960 If we bring these three strands of evidence together, here's what they amount to. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:39.240 The author of Ecclesiastes is a son of David, 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:44.680 who is also the wisest and wealthiest king to ever rule over Jerusalem. 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:49.860 The Old Testament describes no other king of Jerusalem in those terms. 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:56.639 To me, that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the author of Ecclesiastes is Solomon. 00:13:56.900 --> 00:13:58.139 Solomon is the guy. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:04.280 Therefore, for the rest of this message, I'm going to refer to the author of Ecclesiastes as Solomon. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:10.299 After introducing himself, Solomon the teacher begins to teach in verse 2 of our passage. 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:12.139 Ecclesiastes 1, verse 2. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.519 Meaningless. 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.620 Meaningless. 00:14:15.199 --> 00:14:17.799 Other translations will say vanity. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.419 Futile. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.139 Pointless. 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.399 Vapor. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:26.399 Everything is meaningless. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:32.500 Feel the weight of that statement for a moment. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:32.899 Pointless. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:34.899 Meaningless. 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:39.659 Absolutely everything is meaningless. 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:42.980 There is no point to anything you do. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:47.259 No real reason to get out of bed this morning. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:52.759 No reason to put a smile on your face or to go to work or to eat. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.000 It's all meaningless. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 It's all meaningless. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:15:04.899 Already we can see a link between the postmodern beliefs of our culture and the teaching of Solomon. 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:13.480 There's actually a name for this particular outlook on life that university students might learn about in a philosophy class. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:15.220 It's called nihilism. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:19.019 N-I-H-I-L-I-S-M. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.440 Nihilism. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:27.279 I would suggest that it's the most logical outworking of postmodernism. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:35.259 If the five beliefs I outlined earlier are your starting point, nihilism is where you should end up. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:39.319 It's a depressing and overwhelming philosophy. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:44.480 Why do we have such a shortage of pastors coming down the pipe? 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:48.120 Partly because of nihilism. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:54.779 Young adults are growing up thinking that this world, this life is meaningless. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:16:00.860 Solomon writes the next nine verses from this hopeless perspective. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:04.819 He wonders aloud what people gain from all their labors under the sun. 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:09.120 The sun is almost like the villain of Ecclesiastes. 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:15.860 It appears 32 times, which is twice as much as it does in any other book of the Bible. 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:18.500 Psalms is the next closest with 16. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:23.079 We usually welcome the sun in Saskatchewan. 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:25.860 We welcome it and we think that it's a great thing. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:29.540 But if you've spent time in a desert or a hot climate like the Middle East, 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:33.800 you'll know that the sun is more of an enemy than a friend. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.320 It beats down on you day after day after day. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.000 Meaningless. 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:45.860 You'll notice that Solomon portrays nature as constant in this first lecture. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:52.019 The earth, the sun, the wind, streams that flow into the sea, 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:54.240 these are all permanent in Solomon's mind. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:57.620 But people are portrayed as temporary. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:00.580 The generations come and go. 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.600 No one remembers the former generations. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:08.440 And the future generations won't be remembered by those who follow them. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:14.539 It's apparent that Solomon has done a lot of observing and reflecting. 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:20.779 He knows from decades of experience that the eye never has enough of seeing, 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.720 nor the ear its fill of hearing. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:27.960 He's seen all that goes on under the meaningless sun, 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:32.200 and he comes to the meaningless conclusion that there's nothing new. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:38.600 Anything that appears to be new is just something old in a new disguise. 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.480 How meaningless. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:46.519 Next, Solomon pulls back the curtain a bit and reveals 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:51.000 how he came to the conclusion that everything is meaningless. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.740 Verse 12. 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:58.100 I, the teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 00:17:58.099 --> 00:18:03.059 Now, I'm not sure if the NIV's translation is best here. 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:08.059 Monarchs nearly always reign until they die. 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:12.199 Queen Elizabeth II would be our example of that. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:17.119 Some people even use this as an argument against Solomon's authorship. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:22.099 The translation choice the NIV has made is certainly legitimate. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.480 It's possible. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:28.339 But I think a translation like the NASB, which says, 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:33.680 I have been king over Israel in Jerusalem, eliminates any confusion. 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:40.339 Earlier in Solomon's reign, as king over Israel in Jerusalem, 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:46.940 he decided to apply his mind to study and to explore by wisdom 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:50.319 all that is done under the heavens. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.980 Verse 13. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:57.960 This is one of the places where knowing Solomon's identity and background is important. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:01.940 You see, his reign was unusually peaceful. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:07.960 1 Kings 4 informs us that Solomon had a large kingdom with peace on all sides 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:11.640 and that during his lifetime, the people of Israel and Judah lived in safety. 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:16.579 Solomon had very few military threats from without 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.779 and very few threats from within. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:25.779 Remember, there was no democracy or official opposition party in Israel. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:30.180 He had all the power, wisdom, and wealth he could ever want. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.379 Everyone was beneath him. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.180 Slaves and servants were at his beck and call. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:38.899 But then a terrible thing happened. 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:42.519 Solomon got bored. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:48.579 There's been a glaring absence thus far in the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:53.940 We've made it to the first half of verse 13 without hearing about God once. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:59.500 The second half of verse 13 is the first we hear of him. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:04.539 What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind. 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:11.139 Solomon uses his wisdom to explore everything that happens under the sun 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:18.099 and he comes away with the sense that God has laid a heavy burden on mankind. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:21.299 But let's back up for a minute. 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:24.299 How did he ever get into this position? 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:30.779 Shortly after Solomon became king, the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:35.240 In that dream, God makes a remarkable offer. 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:39.579 Ask for whatever you want me to give you. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:44.819 As you may recall, Solomon asks for a discerning heart 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:49.720 to govern God's people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:54.059 It's fascinating that hardly any English translations of the Bible 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:56.839 use the word wisdom in Solomon's request. 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.940 He doesn't ask for wisdom exactly. 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:03.339 He also doesn't just ask for discernment in general. 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:09.579 He asks for discernment in order to lead and judge Israel well. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.539 That's significant. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:18.200 Upon hearing Solomon's request, the Lord promises to give Solomon wealth and honor 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:20.519 in addition to what he asked for. 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:25.019 Moreover, God promises Solomon a long life 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:29.140 if he'll only walk in obedience to him. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:34.799 We left off a minute or two ago with Solomon's boredom. 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:39.380 We established that he had everything he could ever want. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:44.840 And we've just backtracked a bit to show that he had everything he could ever want 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:47.900 because God had given it to him. 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:54.000 Then Solomon gets to a point where he's looking for the next thing that will excite him. 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:57.019 We'd call it a midlife crisis. 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:01.660 I'm going to guess, and this is an educated guess, 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:06.259 that it was right around the time the Lord's temple was being completed 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:09.160 that this boredom started to set in. 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:16.040 If my guess is correct, this is only 11 years into his 40-year reign. 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:28.539 Solomon had to face that test. 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:40.000 Solomon had to face that test. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.599 Solomon had to face that test. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:48.259 He accomplished everything he was expected to accomplish after only 11 years as king. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:56.019 We know from 1 Kings that Solomon had 29 years left on the throne. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:23:02.240 That's a long time, especially for a man who has a massive longing for significance. 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:08.940 So Solomon resolves to pursue something truly meaningful, 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:12.139 something that will satisfy his longing. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:14.720 It becomes his obsession. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:19.820 But God fades into the background. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:24.480 Wisdom is the first thing Solomon tries. 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.500 He reads philosophy. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.840 He hangs out with the scholars. 00:23:28.300 --> 00:23:29.360 He becomes an intellectual. 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:33.379 That turns out to be meaningless. 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:37.259 But he does learn something of value in the process. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:40.779 With much wisdom comes much sorrow. 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:44.000 The more knowledge, the more grief. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:48.859 After wisdom, Solomon pursues madness and folly. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:55.579 He associates madness with laughter and folly with wine in the next chapter. 00:23:55.579 --> 00:24:01.240 The picture we get is of someone who temporarily escapes responsibility 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:04.699 and forgets the problems of life. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.639 Today, this is the perpetual partier. 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:12.960 Or it's the basement dweller who gets drunk on his couch 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:16.419 while he binge watches some foolish comedy show past 2 a.m. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:21.539 Madness and folly turn out to be like chasing after the wind. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.319 You never catch it. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:30.559 Madness and folly never satisfy your deepest longing, warns Solomon. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:35.059 Solomon's obsession continues to plague him. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:37.259 So he pursues pleasure next. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:42.980 This is the one that a lot of middle class people get stuck on in our society. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:48.379 The difference between Solomon and most pleasure seekers in our day 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:55.400 is that they don't have the resources or the money to finance all their pleasures. 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:58.300 They never reach their mountaintop, 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:05.720 so they keep pursuing small doses of pleasure on the weekends 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.140 and whenever they get a chance. 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:14.680 In chapter 2, we read about some of these things that Solomon thinks will bring him pleasure. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:17.160 I undertook great projects. 00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:21.460 I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:27.940 Of course, today, people will build a big house for themselves 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:33.200 or a big cabin thinking that that will give them what they're seeking. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.580 It says in verse 7, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:47.659 Thankfully, we don't have a direct parallel to this today in Canada, 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:54.039 but the business owner might try to increase his business in such a way 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:59.220 that he can hire more and more employees and have power over them. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:03.500 In verse 7 of chapter 2, Solomon says, 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:10.500 I bought, sorry, I own more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:17.680 The farmer and his livestock, he thinks that they will satisfy his desires. 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:24.500 Silver, gold, and treasure are mentioned in verse 8. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:28.539 There's not a whole lot of difference today. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:30.019 Money and stocks. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:33.539 People think this is what will satisfy them. 00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:41.259 Also in verse 8, Solomon says that he acquired singers, male and female, 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.920 concerts, entertainment. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:48.619 That's what people think will satisfy them today. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:55.099 And also in verse 8, it says that he acquired a harem. 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:57.960 Now, I was going to explain that a little bit, 00:26:57.960 --> 00:27:00.500 but we could just think of maybe mistresses in waiting. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:03.340 I realize there are kids in the service, 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:06.279 and I'm not going to be more explicit than that. 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:10.100 Apart from slavery and a harem, 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.860 these things aren't sinful, 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:16.000 but Solomon made them his delight. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:19.259 And that's where he went wrong. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.960 And they turned out to be meaningless. 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.759 You'll see at the end of verse 8 there, 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:29.319 he talks about the delights of a man's heart. 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:36.299 Men, I think the majority of us have walked a mile in Solomon's shoes to some extent. 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:42.119 Women, don't feel bad if you can't quite relate to Solomon here. 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:46.220 Maybe he infuriates you or disgusts you. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:49.639 The truth is, he's a red-blooded male, 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:55.539 searching desperately for meaning and significance in ways that are tempting to men. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:28:00.319 Women tend to have slightly different desires, 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:02.799 and they try to satisfy them in different ways. 00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:07.460 For example, a Christian author by the name of Christina Fox 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:13.299 suggests that mothers try to satisfy the longings of their hearts 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:21.099 by pursuing children, achievement and success, comfort, control, and approval. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:25.240 Once again, these things aren't wrong in themselves, 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:30.000 but when they become your heart's delight, 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:32.900 then they do. 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.680 They do become wrong. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:41.240 In verse 10, we see that Solomon denied himself nothing his eyes desired. 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:44.900 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:48.400 I refused my heart no pleasure. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:52.220 Then in verse 12 and following, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:57.220 we see that he returns to wisdom and folly. 00:28:58.380 --> 00:29:00.700 Wisdom and folly were the first things he tried. 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:05.400 And yet we have wisdom from elsewhere in the Bible that says, 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:10.559 as a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:12.640 And this is an example of that. 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:16.220 Solomon also tries work. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:20.660 Maybe he can find his meaning in his work. 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:25.320 And in verses 24 to 26 of Ecclesiastes chapter 2, 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:27.720 we read these words. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:33.819 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:37.460 This too, I see, is from the hand of God. 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:42.100 For without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:46.759 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:50.779 But to the sinner, he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:54.559 to hand it over to the one who pleases God. 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:57.240 This too is meaningless. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:01.819 Chasing after the wind. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:10.099 Solomon had some deficiencies in his theology. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:14.119 There were some gaps in his knowledge of God. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:18.939 And I want to identify three of those for us this morning. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:25.559 Number one, he had an underdeveloped view of the afterlife. 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:30.959 His concept of eternity was almost non-existent. 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:34.979 We didn't read about it too much in these first two chapters. 00:30:35.219 --> 00:30:37.099 But if you read the rest of Ecclesiastes, 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:40.739 you can see that this comes out in Solomon's thinking. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:49.380 He thinks that this life, say, 80, 90 years are all there is. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:53.000 And that's not the case. 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.980 We know that now. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:55.940 But Solomon didn't realize that. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:31:01.039 You've maybe heard the term progressive revelation before. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:08.740 It means that God progressively or over time reveals things to us. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:17.120 And so we are in a position where we know more than Solomon had access to. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:20.299 He didn't quite know the same things that we know. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:25.519 And so we're identifying some of these deficiencies or gaps in his understanding. 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:31.960 Now the second thing could have been known by him at his time. 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:37.840 The second deficiency in his theology is that he had no delight in God. 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:39.680 He had no delight in God. 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:43.920 We never have a hint that he enjoys the Lord. 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:48.220 He sees living in God's world merely as a duty. 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:54.860 You probably heard the famous conclusion to the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:57.059 But in case you haven't, I'll read it here. 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.759 Now all has been heard. 00:31:59.159 --> 00:32:00.779 Here is the conclusion of the matter. 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:03.339 Fear God and keep his commandments. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:06.159 For this is the duty of mankind. 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:09.700 For God will bring every deed into judgment. 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:14.179 That's the conclusion to this book of Ecclesiastes. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:16.819 And that word duty really stands out. 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:21.539 It differs from Solomon's father. 00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:23.679 Solomon's father, of course, was King David. 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:29.880 And in the Psalms, we see that David delighted in God. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.660 He delighted in the Lord. 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:34.000 For example, Psalm 27. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:37.100 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek, 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:40.740 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:47.220 to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:50.400 David's delight was in God. 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:52.440 Psalm 37. 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:58.680 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:04.920 The sons of Korah also have a similar psalm that talks about delighting in the Lord. 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:08.019 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.900 This is Psalm 84. 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:13.500 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:17.759 My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:23.180 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:31.099 So the first deficiency in Solomon's theology was that he had an underdeveloped view of the afterlife. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:34.960 The second was that he did not delight in God. 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:43.220 And the third is that Solomon did not know the wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:47.660 According to Matthew 12, verse 42, 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:53.120 the queen of Sheba came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:58.539 and now something greater than Solomon is here. 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.759 He's infinitely wiser. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.819 The whole universe belongs to him, 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.880 and he's far more powerful, 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:08.220 namely the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:10.319 By the way, 00:34:11.339 --> 00:34:13.480 do you know one of the projects he's working on at the moment? 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.859 He's building a temple, 00:34:16.819 --> 00:34:17.579 and we're it. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:22.259 Ephesians 2.22, listen to this. 00:34:22.759 --> 00:34:23.639 In Christ Jesus, 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:26.279 you also are being built together 00:34:26.279 --> 00:34:29.480 into a dwelling place for God 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.819 by the Spirit. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:36.600 Those are the deficiencies in Solomon's theology, 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.600 but I want to revisit 00:34:37.600 --> 00:34:40.440 some of those postmodern assumptions 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:44.860 and kind of analyze those, I guess, 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:48.700 now that we have some further knowledge. 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.160 Number one, 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:54.620 there is no truth with a capital T. 00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:57.059 That's the first postmodern assumption. 00:34:58.140 --> 00:34:59.720 Solomon lived like this was true 00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:01.399 for multiple years of his life, 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:04.039 even though he may never have admitted it. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:08.399 Eventually, he acknowledged that God's ways are best, 00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:12.179 but as we just saw, 00:35:12.319 --> 00:35:13.859 he didn't go far enough. 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:17.719 Jesus is the truth with a capital T. 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:20.919 God's Word is truth. 00:35:22.419 --> 00:35:25.339 Our Creator has revealed Himself 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:29.480 so we can know truth with a capital T. 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:33.000 The second postmodern assumption, 00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:36.579 all gods and religions are of equal value. 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:39.719 Again, Solomon believed this lie. 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.759 His actions proved it. 00:35:43.259 --> 00:35:45.000 We didn't talk about it this morning, 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:48.619 but Solomon worshipped the pagan gods of his wives. 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:51.399 He married women from nations 00:35:51.399 --> 00:35:55.599 that God had commanded Israel not to marry. 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:57.500 They had other gods. 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.900 Solomon worshipped those gods. 00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:05.299 All gods and religions are not of equal value. 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:09.179 Only the triune God of the Bible 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:11.920 satisfies and saves. 00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:15.460 The third postmodern assumption, 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:17.519 history is a complex series 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:21.559 of random, disconnected events. 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:25.179 Solomon believed this too. 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.940 Everything is meaningless. 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:31.699 Actually, history is moving toward a goal. 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:36.059 One way of summarizing the storyline of the Bible 00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:38.259 is to use four simple words. 00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:42.759 Creation, fall, redemption, restoration. 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:46.099 That's the storyline of the Bible 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:48.079 and our world and of history. 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.860 The Bible makes that clear. 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:54.320 History is moving toward a goal. 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:58.240 The fourth postmodern assumption, 00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:01.039 every form of self-expression 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:02.320 that doesn't hurt others 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:06.220 should be accepted and celebrated. 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.980 Solomon wanted God 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:11.260 and the citizens of Israel 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:12.860 to accept his harem. 00:37:13.600 --> 00:37:15.380 He didn't think he was hurting anybody. 00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:19.140 Besides, he was born with his desires. 00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:22.299 The question isn't, 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:24.500 are we hurting anybody? 00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:26.079 The question is, 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:30.980 am I violating one of God's good commands? 00:37:31.339 --> 00:37:33.039 At minimum, that should be the question. 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:34.839 We could perhaps even ask 00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.980 better questions than that. 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.579 But at minimum, 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.480 the ethical question is, 00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:41.559 am I violating one of God's good commands? 00:37:42.859 --> 00:37:45.279 And the fifth postmodern assumption is, 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.579 self is sovereign. 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:50.860 No one could tell Solomon what to do. 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:53.019 He was a lone ranger. 00:37:54.119 --> 00:37:57.019 Of the five postmodern doctrines I've outlined, 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:58.599 this is the one. 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:01.980 Christians repeatedly swallow, 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.480 hook, line, and sinker. 00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:08.079 They buy this lie 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:10.319 that they are individuals 00:38:10.319 --> 00:38:12.519 responsible and accountable 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.860 only to themselves. 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:16.360 The fact is that 00:38:16.360 --> 00:38:17.900 God is sovereign. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:20.340 He gets to tell us what to do 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.740 through his word 00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:23.820 and the authority structures 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:25.160 he's created. 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:28.400 This requires submitting to 00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:30.180 various authority figures, 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.240 such as 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:32.460 bosses, 00:38:33.260 --> 00:38:34.059 government officials, 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.599 pastors, 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:36.320 parents, 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:37.860 police, 00:38:38.340 --> 00:38:38.700 teachers, 00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:40.380 so on and so forth. 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:43.500 I'll close with this. 00:38:44.300 --> 00:38:45.619 The search for meaning 00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:46.280 ends 00:38:46.280 --> 00:38:47.480 with 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:48.940 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:38:50.240 --> 00:38:51.039 For by him 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:52.500 all things 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.340 were created 00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.340 in heaven 00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.340 and on earth, 00:38:56.140 --> 00:38:56.440 visible 00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:57.360 and invisible, 00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:59.119 whether thrones 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:00.559 or dominions 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:01.880 or rulers 00:39:01.880 --> 00:39:03.000 or authorities, 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.340 all things 00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:05.519 were created 00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:06.260 through him 00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:07.840 and for him. 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:09.940 everything is not 00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.300 meaningless. 00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:12.220 Meaning 00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:13.800 and significance 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.960 are found 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:16.519 in Christ. 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:16.579 in Christ.