Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15
Ecclesiastes means “one who addresses an assembly” or “teacher.” It was believed to have been written in the last years of Solomon’s life, since he describes all he has accomplished. It is his summation of life after observing it and living it to the fullest. His quest has been to find out the meaning of life and to find wisdom. He begins by saying that life is all vanity and ends his last chapter with repeating that statement.
Solomon begins with all he has observed in his years of living. He concludes that there is nothing new under the sun and what is in the past is not remembered by the next generation. Wisdom was what God gave Solomon at the beginning of his reign and it has caused him sorrow as he has observed life around him though the lens of wisdom.
Solomon tested his wisdom by filling his life with pleasure. He found that it was useless. He tried drinking to cheer himself up and it didn’t work either. Then he tried building things and filling his surroundings with beauty, music and women. He became the richest man on earth and when he looked at all his striving he saw he had gained nothing eternal.
He blamed his depression on the fact that he was so wise. He did conclude that being wise was better than being foolish and there was more to gain in light than in darkness.
Solomon saw that all meet the same fate whether wise or foolish. They will all die and won’t know what will happen to all they accomplished. What will the next generation do with what he has done.
He concluded that instead of being depressed it was better to find joy in life. There is a time for everything God created on this earth and in a lifetime. All will experience the same trials and emotions.
Yet, God has put in eternity in every man’s heart. Everyone knows there is a hereafter, whether they admit it or not. So, everyone should take pleasure in their work and enjoy their life. All will one day stand before God and be judged for the way they lived the life God gave them. It is vanity to worry about what happens when one dies.
In Corinthians, Paul talks about vanity also. He says it is vain to not receive the grace of God that he is offering. This grace is salvation. Paul’s life was not full of all the luxuries that Solomon’s was. Paul’s life was full of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonment, riots, labor, sleepless nights, and hunger. But what kept him though all that was the kindness of the Holy Spirit and the life and power of God. His weapon was righteousness. He was greatly punished in his life but rejoiced because he had everything money can’t buy.
Lord, as we consider our lives may we see them through your lens. May we build so the next generation can thrive. May we live our lives with eternity in mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment