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Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 – Me Oh My Oh I
Me Oh My Oh I
33 times in 23 verses the word “I” is used. That’s not even counting the numerous uses of “my”; “myself;” and “me.” Generally counting words is not a worthwhile endeavor unless the repetition is illuminating. In this case, the word “I” becomes a power or key word.
The passage to which I am referring is Ecclesiastes 2:1-23. The author is speaking of his misadventures to discover happiness. You name it, he tried it. And what he tired always focused on himself. Never God, and never others.
The conclusion discovered is that we become “whole” and happy by obeying God (Ecc.12:13). Why? Because that is how God created us. And God created us to be like Him. One of the ways we obey God is by giving and sharing our life, love, and blessings with others. God is a giver – so says John 3:16. Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Laurence J. Peters said, “There are two kinds of egotists: Those who admit it, and the rest of us.” Ouch! Are we more like the experimenter in Ecclesiastes than we want to admit? If so, if we are longing for happiness, and wanting to become more like God, maybe we should start by counting how many times a day we say “I.”
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