Solomon had lots to say about life. The book of The Song of Solomon was written by Solomon when he was a young man and reflects on "young love." Proverbs was written by Solomon in his middle years and reflects his wise sayings. Solomon embraces those sayings in Proverbs 1:1. Much is said in Proverbs about wisdom and knowledge. One of the classic passages in Proverbs is 3:1-11 gives the formula for happiness. Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in the later years of his life.

It is clear that Solomon in the later years of life finally came to realize the futility of everything without God. In Ecclesiastes 1:2 Solomon invokes vanity and concludes that all is vanity. He asks the question in verse 3, "What profit hath a man of all his labor...?" Vanity here is not foolish pride as we sometimes refer to a person as being vain. Vanity is the emptiness or utter hopelessness of a life apart from God. Solomon is known for his wisdom and wealth.

In 1:12-17 of Ecclesiastes, Solomon admits that he is king and that he gave his heart to seek and search out wisdom. In verse 17 he reiterates his search for wisdom. He concludes that there is a certain futility in wisdom. In much wisdom there is grief and with increased knowledge comes sorrow.

Solomon's second great conclusion is that there is no satisfaction in riches and things. He emphasizes the futility of wealth and pleasure. Solomon clearly states that he intended to give himself to mirth, pleasure, and even wine. For the ones who are consumed with social drinking, this lets us know what God thinks about alcohol.

Solomon built houses, planted vineyards, made gardens and orchards, planted fruit trees, made pools of water, had servants and maids, owned great and small herds of cattle, and gathered silver and gold. This statement is so amazing. He analyzed himself as great. He saw that his greatness was due to his possessions. Solomon had no self-discipline. Whatever he desired, he accumulated.

The end result of Solomon's wisdom, possessions, and lifestyle can be summarized as vanity and vexation of spirit. None of this had profit under the sun. Solomon concluded that all of the works of his hands as well as labor was vanity or futile or empty.

In 2011 we should learn from Solomon who is so characteristic of our current culture and its trust in materialism. All of our natural disasters as well as the economic downturn of the last two years should demonstrate to us the futility or emptiness in trusting in anything but God and His provision.