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Wisdom, Understanding, Vexation & Sorrow
Wisdom, Understanding, Vexation & Sorrow
The book of Ecclesiastes is, in some ways, one of the most confusing books in scripture. From the very outset it has an air of depression, speaking frequently of all the things in life that are “vanity” or “fleeting.” As I read through the book, one of the themes that emerges is the unexpected outcomes of any given pursuit.
Take, for example, Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 and the pursuit of wisdom. Having acquired great levels of experience and knowledge Qoheleth says in verse 18, “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” How can much wisdom and knowledge result in so much annoyance and pain?
The old adage seems to ring true here, “The smarter I get, the dumber I feel.” As we acquire more knowledge and experience, we realize there is always more to learn. More knowledge results in more questions. This is not inherently bad, but it has the potential to be.
For some folks, acquiring all the answers has become the ultimate end, in and of itself. They have pushed themselves so far in the pursuit of answers to life’s questions that to say, “I don’t know” makes their blood pressure rise. To have to admit, “I can’t know” is unspeakable! Oftentimes, these are the people who wind up studying themselves out of belief in God.
I like what Warren Wiersbe says of this text: Those who go through life living on explanations will always be unhappy for at least two reasons. First, this side of heaven, there are no explanations for some things that happen, and God is not obligated to explain them anyway. (In fact, if He did, we might not understand them!) Second, God has ordained that His people live by promises and not by explanations, by faith and not by sight.[1]
Wisdom and experience are things that we encourage everyone to pursue, and that is good. I do not think Qoheleth is suggesting that we all remain blissfully ignorant and naïve in our lives? However, in our pursuit of knowledge we need to also understand that some things simply do not have answers on this side of eternity. We need to learn to accept that fact. If we don’t, then our pursuits will only wind up causing unquenchable vexation and sorrow. Rather, let us find solace in the promises of God that drive our need to know him more.
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1] BE Commentary Series: Ecclesiastes
