Ecclesiastes Summarized

--Not satisfied with life--

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; Ecclesiastes 1:7

--Where is meaning?--

--Not in wisdom (Chapter 1)--

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:17,18

--Not in withdrawl (Chapter 2)--

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. Ecclesiastes 2:18

--Not in your fellow man (Chapter 3)--

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. Ecclesiastes 3:18

--Not in the world around us (Chapter 4)--

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Ecclesiastes 4:1

--Not in wealth (Chapter 5)--

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: Ecclesiastes 5:5

--Not in works (Chapter 6)--

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. Ecclesiastes 6:7

--Not in flattery or gifts (Chapter 7)--

....and a gift destroyeth the heart. Ecclesiastes 7:7

--Not in knowing all that shall be (Chapter 8)--

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? Ecclesiastes 8:7

--Not in accomplishments (Chapter 9)--

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Ecclesiastes 9:15

--Not in folly (Chapter 10)--

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. Ecclesiastes 10:1

--Not in a long life (Chapter 11)--

But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:8

So what is the ADVICE? -- Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; Ecclisiastes 12:1

CONCLUSION: -- Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiates 12:13 12:13