Sunday, May 5, 2019 pm
STUDIES IN ECCLESIASTES (10)
The Vanity of Entertainment
Ecclesiastes 2:8-9
In our text
we note that Solomon acquired male and female singers, and all sorts of
musical instruments (NKJV, KJV).
NOTE: The NASB says, “Concubines” – the Hebrew word here is
difficult to interpret as it is only used in this text and the meaning
is obviously disputed. In fact
some interpret the word as a cupbearer (LXX), or even something
multiplied (e.g. chests upon chests, or “coffers and coffers”), or even
in other ways. Most lean
toward concubines, which is fitting for Solomon considering he had 700
wives and 300 concubines (2 Kings 11:3; vs. 1 says he loved many foreign
women). Regardless, these
were pursued for the gratification of his flesh.
But they too failed to give life real meaning.
So let us take a closer look at the subject of entertainment in
our lives.
a.
We are living in an
entertainment driven society. In
source described it as a saturated society.
Entertainment, is a multibillion
dollar industry. The amount
of money people spend on entertainment is staggering.
This past weekend alone, a long anticipated movie broke world
records with sales of $1.2 BILLION.
b.
People want to be
entertained all the time – sports, movies, television, books and music,
live events, games - both
board games and electronic systems.
Amusement parks of all sorts.
Then there are hobbies some engage in – various crafts,
photography, etc. Also
there are groups that people join for purposes of being entertained.
Then there are the numerous social events that we engage in -
some more important than others, etc.
The point it, entertainment is everywhere and in high demand
c.
One of the more serious
spiritual problems associated with our entertainment culture is how it
has affected peoples attention spans.
The sad truth is that people have come to expect this in the
church and religion. They
want to be entertained.
Songs have to be fun, the acts of worship exciting, the venue needs to
be elaborate and the preacher and/or speaker needs to be entertaining.
Many churches have made entertainment a mainstay of what they
call worship, seeking to appeal to the gratification of fleshly desires
more than God’s explicit pattern.
d.
People don’t know how to
stop and just sit still or engage in some serious activity, maybe even a
little boring, but needed, for any length of time.
II.
The vanity of
entertainment
a.
First understand that
entertainment, like so many of the things Solomon has pursued, it is not
wrong within itself.
In fact, it is even good at times and needed.
Like recreation (which can be a
form of entertainment), it is often a way to rest the body, and
equally important the mind. And
we all need that, especially in this fast paced world.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:1ff said there is a time for everything –
laughter and dancing (4), etc.
Whatever good we have from God, it is for our benefit – Ecclesiastes
2:24, 3:12-13, 11:9 – to the youthful, they are told enjoy life (but he
does give a caveat).
Studying the Old Law, many of the feasts had formalities associated with
them, but they were also to be joyful occasions.
BUT with this there are some questions we need to ask:
b.
Is it wholesome
entertainment?
One of the first things to ask when thinking about entertainment
is whether or not it is something a Christian should participate in at
all. Gambling, social
dancing, unwholesome movies, sensual gratification and pornography.
If something is sinful, it doesn’t matter how much fun it is.
Christians ought not be engaged in such.
Psalm 101:3, I will set nothing
wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall
not cling to me. Psalm
119:37 - Turn away my eyes from
looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.
Philippians 4:8 – consider the qualities Paul mentions.
Are the activities we are engaging in to entertain ourselves
conducive to these qualities?
c.
Be concerned about the amount of time engaged in a activity
–
Does it get in the way of our responsibilities?
Ephesians 5:16 calls for us to
redeem our time, meaning to make the most of it.
Will you let it keep you from doing spiritual activity that is coming
up. (Not saying we can’t
make adjustments, but there are times when we have to CHOOSE have to use
our time. What usually wins
out?)
In the life of Jesus we read of Him going to a wedding, a banquet (Luke
5:29-30) and even taking time to go to a deserted place to rest.
But He did not linger at such places, and furthermore, He was
willing to be interrupted for good (cf. Mark 6:30-33)
Furthermore, does entertainment keep us from spiritual activities such
as attendance (Hebrews 10:24-25), worshipping God, and time spent in
personal Bible study and prayer?
d.
Be concerned about the
amount of resources consumed by it – much entertainment today is not cheap.
It is not just about the time,
but how much it costs. Some
is VERY expensive, depending on the depth of the hobby.
Now if entertainment is not wrong, then it is not wrong to make
provisions for that entertainment – provided we are still being good
stewards. 1 Timothy 6:18
warns us the rich to be rich in good works and willing to share.
For some they can afford to spend than others.
This is subjective, but we must always ask, when I choose to
spend on X, how does it affect my ability to spend on Y.
And if Y is about spiritual matters, I need to seriously think
about these things.
NOTE: We have to be reasonable in this, as it requires judgment on our
part to determine what is appropriate.
e.
Be concerned if it
causes me to neglect other duties
– there are family responsibilities that husband and wives have toward one
another, as well as parents and children.
There are work responsibilities, and other responsibilities
associated with life (domestic duties, societal responsibilities,
spiritual activities, etc.).
Do we let our entertainment consume us to the neglect of these things?
f.
Has our entertainment become an idol?
For many this is the ultimate indictment.
They spend every waking hour and resource on their specified
entertainment. It chokes out
God and becomes the primary pursuit of their lives.
Everything else centers around it.
1 John 5:21 calls for us to flee from idolatry.
g.
These are some things to
consider.
Perhaps others could be added to these.
But as we can see, entertainment will not give true fulfillment
and is vanity, grasping for the wind.
a.
In these verses, we find
Solomon’s conclusion concerning all of these areas.
b.
I became great and
excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.
A description of the greatness
of his resources, abilities and efforts
c.
My wisdom remained with
me (we have noted this in times past).
He know what he was doing and pondering the meaning as he
engaged.
d.
Whatever my eyes
desired, I did not keep from them.
It is possible Solomon pursued other areas not mentioned.
THERE may be some other pursuit in our lives with which we are
seeking to find our real meaning.
If it is not God, the answer is the same!
e.
My heart rejoiced in all
my labor, and this was the reward from all my labor.
Solomon enjoyed the journey.
And there is something to be said about the blessings of work and
labor. It ought to be
satisfying. We have talked
about “the passing pleasures of sin” as we have addressed various things
– they may provide a temporary escape doing what you do with all your
might (Ecclesiastes 9:10), but it is NOT an escape from our problems.
NEVER forget this!
f.
Then I looked on ALL the
works that my hands had done, and my toil – he looked back and
contemplated it ALL (2 Corinthians 13:5).
g.
And indeed all was
vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no ultimate profit under the sun (the ways of this
world).
How tragic, to spend your life pursuing real and lasting
meaning, looking everywhere on this earth, only to find in the end what
a waste it really was.
Even sadder, if when you stand before God and all you have to offer him
is these empty pursuits. But
it doesn’t have to end that way.
Solomon gives us the conclusion at the end of this letter –
notice Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
What are you pursuing?
Think about it.