The Futility of Wisdom??

Observing that the wise man and the fool both die, Solomon presented his reason for the futility of wisdom: “For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise man as with the fool.” (2:16) In chapter nine Solomon reflected on a poor wise man who delivered a city by his wisdom. Yet, “no one remembered that poor man.”

Solomon noted that wisdom was better than folly, better than strength, better than being the fool. Yet, in the end it really didn’t matter because the wise man dies just like the fool and he is not remembered.

That kind of outlook toward life seems depressing and contrary to the hopeful message of grace in the New Testament. It seems contrary to the numerous passages of Scripture that encourage us to obtain and apply wisdom. How do we make sense of such statements?

It is easy to overlook Solomon’s purpose in writing the book of Ecclesiastes. He stated his purpose in the first chapter:

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. (v. 13)

Solomon was investigating life. He was exploring the world around him. Based on his early conclusions, it is apparent that Solomon was searching for meaning. So, Ecclesiastes was his final report based on his exploration.

It is important to see that his exploration was “concerning all that has been done under heaven.” In the Hebrew text the statement ends, “under the heavens.” Note the plural. This tells us the breadth of Solomon’s exploration.

“The heavens” refers to the two heavens above the earth. (The Bible only talks about three heavens.) The first heaven is the breathable atmosphere that supports living things. It starts just above the ground and extends into what we call the sky. Beyond the sky is space, the second heaven, where the sun, moon, stars, planets, and comets exist. So, Solomon said that his exploration included everything under the two heavens, so, the created universe.

It is easy to understand why Solomon limited his exploration to the created universe. As a part of the created universe himself, he could not explore anything beyond creation such as, the third heaven, God’s domain.

Come back to Solomon’s observation about the wise man and the fool. He was not writing as a Christian who enjoys the hope of eternal life. He was searching for meaning within the limitations of the created universe and then reporting his findings.

Solomon’s wisdom is invaluable in helping us to understand the world around us. If our frame of reference is merely the physical universe in which we live, then it changes our value system. If there is only the physical universe and we all die, then there is no real benefit to being wise or being a fool. So, what is there is this life that is of valuable?

The best thing that a person can do is to leave behind a legacy in hopes of being remembered. Yet, Solomon said that all will be forgotten.

We live in a world where those without God in their life are accurately described by Solomon. They have nothing more to live for than to be remembered after they are gone. In this, Solomon has explained hopelessness.

Does God offer hope? Absolutely! 

But you can’t find it within the boundaries of the created universe.


Mark Stinnett

July 16, 2023