“I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 1:13a (NIV 1984)
Ecclesiastes is one of the most practical, up-to-date books of the Bible. Solomon carefully examined the way to get the most out of life, the happiest way to live. I want the best life that I can possibly have. Don’t you?
Solomon’s purpose in Ecclesiastes was to find the answers to the big questions people have asked throughout all generations and are still asking today. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Is there meaning, purpose, and value for my life, or is all of life meaningless? Does God exist? Is there life after death, or is this world all there is? Max Lucado writes, “Mine deep enough in every heart and you’ll find it: a longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, ‘What is the purpose of my life?’”
The author of Ecclesiastes--and the probability is that Solomon is the author--begins his writing by saying in chapter 1, verse 2, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’” He gives four reasons to support that conclusion: 1. Life is monotonous; 2. Death is certain; 3. Wisdom is in vain; and, 4. Wealth is futile.
Solomon talks about the monotony of life. He says it’s the same old, same old over and over. The sun rises, and the sun sets. Then it rises again. Generations come and generations go. I have lived long enough to be seeing the fourth generation in my lifetime, and there is much repetition in the way people live from generation to generation. Solomon implies that mankind is just going around in circles but getting nowhere.
Twenty-seven times in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon uses the phrase “under the sun”, denoting the human viewpoint, trying to understand life from man’s wisdom alone. But life and the world look very different from God’s point of view. I don’t see the reliability of the universe as being monotonous. Rather it assures us of the eternal unchanging dependable nature of God. Ecclesiastes 1:11 states an indisputable fact that Solomon abhors but cannot circumvent: we will all die and soon be forgotten. The wise and foolish alike will die. If a man works hard and does well, he will one day have to leave everything he has amassed to someone else. That is life under the sun. But, with God, what wonderful possibilities open up and give us hope for an incredible future with Him.
Solomon says if life under the sun is all there is, it doesn’t make a lot of difference whether we live wisely or foolishly. Both kinds of people will end up dead. But from God’s point of view, the way we live this life is the foundation and preparation for eternal life. It makes all the difference when we see life from God’s point of view! Contrary to human thinking, man's wisdom and education will not give him the answers he is seeking to the ultimate questions of life. No amount of human effort can explain life’s meaning and purpose or give man eternal life. Only God can do that.
Solomon’s purpose in Ecclesiastes was to find the answers to the big questions people have asked throughout all generations and are still asking today. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Is there meaning, purpose, and value for my life, or is all of life meaningless? Does God exist? Is there life after death, or is this world all there is? Max Lucado writes, “Mine deep enough in every heart and you’ll find it: a longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, ‘What is the purpose of my life?’”
The author of Ecclesiastes--and the probability is that Solomon is the author--begins his writing by saying in chapter 1, verse 2, “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’” He gives four reasons to support that conclusion: 1. Life is monotonous; 2. Death is certain; 3. Wisdom is in vain; and, 4. Wealth is futile.
Solomon talks about the monotony of life. He says it’s the same old, same old over and over. The sun rises, and the sun sets. Then it rises again. Generations come and generations go. I have lived long enough to be seeing the fourth generation in my lifetime, and there is much repetition in the way people live from generation to generation. Solomon implies that mankind is just going around in circles but getting nowhere.
Twenty-seven times in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon uses the phrase “under the sun”, denoting the human viewpoint, trying to understand life from man’s wisdom alone. But life and the world look very different from God’s point of view. I don’t see the reliability of the universe as being monotonous. Rather it assures us of the eternal unchanging dependable nature of God. Ecclesiastes 1:11 states an indisputable fact that Solomon abhors but cannot circumvent: we will all die and soon be forgotten. The wise and foolish alike will die. If a man works hard and does well, he will one day have to leave everything he has amassed to someone else. That is life under the sun. But, with God, what wonderful possibilities open up and give us hope for an incredible future with Him.
Solomon says if life under the sun is all there is, it doesn’t make a lot of difference whether we live wisely or foolishly. Both kinds of people will end up dead. But from God’s point of view, the way we live this life is the foundation and preparation for eternal life. It makes all the difference when we see life from God’s point of view! Contrary to human thinking, man's wisdom and education will not give him the answers he is seeking to the ultimate questions of life. No amount of human effort can explain life’s meaning and purpose or give man eternal life. Only God can do that.
Father, thank You that knowing and serving You is the purpose for our lives. It gives fulfillment in this life and prepares us to spend eternity with you. Amen.
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