Bible Men: King Solomon: Notes On the Meaning of Vanity

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecc 1:1-2 

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Ecc 1:10 

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Psa 94:11 

Grief, Sorrow and Happiness

There is a season for everything under the sun, so King Solomon pronounced, and mine was a very angry season.

The election fever was everywhere in the air, at work, at home, at the village market, in the news, at church and practically everywhere. It left me, like Jonah, very angry.

At home I took one camp and mom took the other. In fact I was the only villager who was in the “wrong” camp, and loving my neighbor became sorely trying.

Earlier I had tried getting over the meaning of vanity in our present age but in vain. I read and read Solomon but the more I read him the more I got angrier.

I returned to election fever and I tried to explain my reasons to the other camp, saying things like ethics and hatred of corruption. But I sounded like a fool. I sat down and got angry proper. Then a young lovely friend called. She said, “You sound depressed. What’s the matter?”

I answered like a man: “It’s nothing.”

“But you are always depressed anyway! I should’ve known!” She screamed and hung up.

I paused and considered. Pride. Anger. Bitterness. I had heard those words flying around recently. Was that really me? Vanity!

The first death announcement arrived that night. It was of an old family man I had known since childhood. We buried him. Then a week later a second death announcement arrived at night. It was of a young family woman I grew up with. I shook my head. But we buried her. The night we returned from her burial is when we heard the third death announcement. It was of an old family woman of childhood memories.

Coming to Myself

Suddenly I came to myself. And immediately the meaning for vanity began to sink in. “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart” (Ecc 7:2).  

Life is big and expansive and good and bad at the same time. There’s only so much we can know here and there’s only so little we can do. Man cannot ‘simply put the whole of life together.’

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. Psa 73:2  

Stop worrying! The voice screamed. God is in control. He’s sovereign bringing everything to pass according to his will. Mine – and yours – is only to cast our cares upon him, for he cares.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Psa 73:16-17  

I went back to my Bible and my God and whom I had quite forgotten! There was so much good there but which I had quite (in my choler) forgotten!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Php 4:4  

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th 5:18  

Like the prodigal I had travelled to a ‘far country’ from where I couldn’t see God or see his stars. I came to myself at last. Part of the reason I’d missed the meaning of vanity was because I was deeply entangled in it myself!

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1Jn 2:17  

What is Vanity?

It means ‘vapour or breath’, or something futile, or empty. It implies something which does not satisfy. Sketches for this are scattered throughout the Bible.

It is there in the Prophets through Moses exhorting his people not to be vain. He pleads with them to choose life over death, and blessings over curses. “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it” (Deu 32:47).  

It is there in the weeping prophet: “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer 2:13).  

It is there in the Wisdom books of Job, the Psalms and Solomon in his Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song. It is properly brought out in Ecclesiastes.  

In the New Testament God gave us himself, he gave us Jesus, the bread from heaven, as contrasted with the vain bread of this world.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Joh 6:27  

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. Joh 6:32  

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Joh 6:33  

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Joh 6:35  

Returning Home

Finally it’s only when the prodigal returned home to the father that he knew the meaning of vanity. And it’s instructive that Solomon’s life ended not in gloom but in a song and a wedding. And isn’t that the way of life always? “I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies” (Son 6:3).  

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Our duty is to rejoice in every season God sends our way.

Are you far from the father? Chances are you are living in vanity. You shall never know it until you return home to the father. Do it today because he’s waiting for you.

I called my friend but she didn’t answer. And immediately I started worrying if I had lost a friend!