"And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor.
(Ecclesiastes 2:10)
The word joy in this verse means "blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)". It's interesting to note that Merriam-Webster defines blithe as, "1: of a happy lighthearted character or disposition, 2: lacking due thought or consideration".
A happy lighthearted character is what I am certain Solomon was thinking here. It was not the joy of the Lord. I think if we just read his next words it verifies his happy lighthearted ways, for he says his heart rejoiced in what? Not in the Lord! His heart rejoiced in his labors.
What exactly was his portion? Who's labor? Did Solomon really have a right to rejoice in anything other than the Lord? I don't think so. It was the Lord who established him. It was the Lord who blessed him. It was all the Lords doing and here is Solomon saying "my labor" twice!
How did Solomon fall so far? Just back up a bit in the same verse. "Whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them", and that was his problem. I probably would have a pretty happy lighthearted character too if I had everything I ever wanted given to me, but Solomon could not find any joy. At least not the kind that comes from being in right standing with God.
What really happened is Solomon got all he desired and it caused blithesomeness or glee which caused him to be lacking due thought or consideration. I am sure Solomon did not mean the second definition when he wrote this but that is what happened with him none the less.
Solomon got everything and anything. He did everything and anything. He saw God perform miracles we can only study and at the same time I am convinced he delved into the deepest darkest sins any of us can imagine. What was his portion? It wasn't the joy he speaks of here. His portion is Ecclesiastes. An old broken man regretting every desire he ever laid his eyes on.
What will your portion be?
4 comments:
that is a good post, and Q?
and something to really think about!
thanks
Not only was he dsiring things contrary to God's plan, but Solomon was getting them all too.
"And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them."
Solomon was a man and so am I, so I have to assume that some things he wanted, like some of my wants were not for the things of God but rather for the things of this world and the flesh.
In the greatest position to serve the Lord, having built God's Temple, Ruling God's people and having wealth, wisdom, and power beyond most men, Solomon proceded to serve himself.
Good post, what will my portion be indeed?
Will I be satisfied with all the Lord has planned for me?
I certainly hope so, but where my heart is willing my flesh is weak so I will need His help to keep me satisfyed with Him too. I am blessed so much just to be called His own, yet I still desire things of this world. Tuely a work in progress.
Thanks Michael.
Solomon provides us a great example of one who took his eyes off God, His Word, disobeyed and followed that long slippery slope into materialism and sin.
His life provides a warning for all to see. I pray we all take heed to it.
Great post Michael.
I wish that Hedonism died with Solomon. Unfortunately this plague is running rampant in America. I love my stuff ... Ecclesiastes warns me to not love my stuff too much ... yikes ... did I say that? I am not a hedonist ... I am not a hedonist!!
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