Vanity of the Prosperity and Possessions (Ecc 2: 4-8)

VANITY OF THE PROSPERITY AND POSSESSIONS (Ecc 2: 4-8)

The author of the book of Ecclesiastes reflects whatever he had done to himself and then lists out whatever he had done that were common human pursuits towards happiness. The author starts the list by saying that he had made great works through his wisdom and knowledge. He had built houses that could be palaces as he mentions himself as King. We could see in the history that Solomon built the first Synagogue to worship God through an institution and also the cities with all its magnificence and glory. He had also planted vineyards for himself to delight himself with wine as he mentions in the previous verses. Again the author quotes that he had made himself gardens and parks with all kinds of fruit trees to delight in the beauty of nature, enjoy its essence as food and pleasant substances with many other uses. He continues to say that he had made himself pools like water bodies to sustain the beautiful gardens and forest of growing trees that he enjoys, which made his kingdom more ecological, wealthier and healthier.

The author then says that he had bought male and female slaves though he had already had many slaves who were in his house. Again there were slaves born in his house which increased their number. The author’s command and the utilization of human resources were maximum and shrewd. He had great possessions of not only human beings but also the herds and flocks of domestic animals which were used for many benefits of himself and his people. He had everything unlimited, more than anyone who had ever existent in Jerusalem. We could see the great splendor, majesty, wise utilization of the servants, attractive engravings of furniture and extraordinary arrangement of things in the province of Solomon that was admired by the queen of Sheba and many other people of his ages.

The author says that he had also gathered for himself silver, gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. Being the king of Jerusalem and because of his greatness and dominion, he would have enjoyed all the favor of the kings around him. Also, the author mentions himself as the son of David, who is a great conqueror. And the kings of the nearby provinces would have honored him or even subjected themselves to his wisdom and power, because of which they would have offered him silver gold and treasure. We could see that Solomon was given treasures by many kings and provinces. There wasn’t any deficiency in entertaining him too. The author says that he had singers both men and women who could delight his ears with their pleasing voices. Also, he mentions that he had many concubines who would physically gratify him. Those are all the delight of the man that most of the people strive on the earth and the author had it abundantly but feels short of meaning because of it, as there was no God and right direction over it.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.    What the author built for himself? Why?

2.    What the author made and planted? Why?

3.    Why the author made the pools?

4.    What the author bought for himself? What does he say about them further?

5.    What great possessions did the author have? How much was it?

6.    What the author gathered for himself? From where?

7.    Why did the king and provinces offer treasures to the author?

8.    Why the author got singers and concubines?

9.    What the author means by saying ‘the delight of the sons of man’?

10. How the author had felt in having all those prosperity and possession, which were really strivings of most people on earth for their happiness?