Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 – Me, Myself, and I
A Pew Moments with Perry – Me, Myself, and I
Sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll. Wine, Women, and Song. These are descriptions of the Teacher’s pursuit in Ecclesiastes to find fulfillment as seen in Ecclesiastes 2:4-11. In the past I have focused on the things the Teacher experimented with such as building houses, amassing wealth, and “the delights of men”. In reading today, another thought popped into my mind. This viewpoint shows another weakness in his attempts to find happiness. He solely focused on himself. Notice how many times “I”, “myself”, “me”, “my” are used:
4) I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5) I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6) I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. 7) I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock — large herds and flocks — more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. 8 ) I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9) So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10) All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. 11) When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.
In this section the Teacher’s problem is glaring: Focusing on self, and not on others or God. Meaning, fulfillment, contentment, and happiness are found in serving others – like we see in the ultimate Teacher, Jesus.
Comments