The Preacher (Solomon) began his search for purpose in wisdom (Ecc. 1:12-18). He thought, perhaps, that he would find meaning in knowledge and understanding.
At the beginning of Solomon’s reign, he petitioned the Lord for understanding in leading Israel (1 Kings 3:7-9). The Lord granted his request and gave him much more than he desired (1 Kings 3:10-14). After this, Solomon was considered the wisest man to live (1 Kings 3:28). God had given him wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the past and all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4:29-31). Additionally, Solomon was an accomplished writer penning 3,000 proverbs and writing 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32).
This is what Solomon confirmed in his search for meaning in wisdom:
“I said in my heart, ‘I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.’ And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:16–18)
Solomon’s great wisdom did not unlock happiness or meaning. Solomon studied the world and only found emptiness. The poor were oppressed and had no one to comfort them (Ecc. 4:1). Though God created man to be upright, there wasn’t a righteous man found on earth who did good and never sinned (Ecc. 7:20, 29). He found people cursing each other (Ecc. 7:21-22). Evil men doing evil works and getting away with it (Ecc. 8:10-13). Further, evil and folly are found on king’s thrones (Ecc. 10:5-6).
The increase of wisdom and knowledge only brought about grief and sorrow. Wisdom did not give him rose-colored glasses, alternatively, it unveiled the emptiness of all that was under the sun. Which led Solomon to conclude the transience of life.
Wisdom would not prolong Solomon’s life. Both the wise and the foolish would meet the same end. It is not that wisdom is useless. Rather, wisdom and understanding do not bring meaning to life. This is wisdom!
Beloved, the greatest wisdom you can attain is knowing Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).