READ 2:12-26
The Preacher sought to find meaning through pleasure and accumulating possessions, now he seeks it through wisdom, madness and folly. He looks to the entire spectrum of thought and behavior--where can satisfaction be found? If money and possessions can’t bring lasting meaning, perhaps it can be found through one’s lifestyle. Since a man can’t do anything that the king hasn’t already done, all we can do is copy him, but we won’t be able to surpass him. So, at the beginning, we are already defeated if we are attempting to find meaning in what we have. Solomon couldn’t find it and neither can we.
In verse 13, Solomon comes to the correct conclusion--wisdom is better than madness and folly because the wise person can see, but the fool cannot. He walks in darkness and has no discernment. So, in this life, wisdom is to be chosen above foolishness. But, that isn’t the end of the discussion--if it is better to be wise, then, why do the wise, like the fool, die? Where is the reward in acting wisely? Where is the punishment in acting foolishly? In the end, we all have the same fate-whether wise or foolish, we die and are soon forgotten.
You might be offended by the idea that the wise and foolish are alike because, in the end, we all die. Consider this--God doesn’t allow the righteous to live on Earth forever while the unrighteous die--we all die, regardless of how we live. Consider also, you and I live in post Messianic days--Jesus, the Messiah has come.
He and the apostles taught about Heaven. Who, in the Old Covenant shadows, taught about Heaven?
We assume that Solomon knew about Heaven, but the Old Testament evidence isn’t there. God, for His own reasons, did not make this teaching clear to Old Testament saints. Therefore, we are reading beyond what was written to apply New Covenant teaching to the Old Testament prior to first understanding what has been written. Understanding it in light of the New Covenant is important, but not without first understanding how the original hearers would have understood it. Because we live in a sin cursed Earth, both the wise and foolish die. That’s why even wisdom is seen as vanity and striving after the wind--it can‘t prevent death.
In Christ, believers are assured that one day, there will be no more tears, nor death, nor crying nor mourning nor pain (Revelation 21:4) and Death, the enemy will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15: 26). That is our hope, but it will not come as long as we are living in a world tainted by sin. Solomon is contemplating life ‘under the sun’ or apart from God, where there is no hope.
When the Preacher considers that all of his wealth, possessions and work will be left to another, he despairs. Will the one who inherits be wise or squander everything? Is it fair that someone enjoys that which he didn’t work for? We work hard to provide, and many take an emotional beating everyday to do so--and then, someone else gets what we worked for. Even after a hard day when we need rest, we often can’t sleep. This too, is vanity.
Verse 24 provides the answer to his frustration and hopelessness --there is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his work. This is repeated throughout Ecclesiastes--joy is found in the simple everyday things of life. Not in what we acquire or in great accomplishments which we hope will make a lasting impact, but in eating, drinking and work. Why is joy found in these things? Because they are from the hand of God.
This is the first mention of God since 1:13 because the Preacher is making a point--apart from God, who can have any true enjoyment? Life, ‘under the sun’ brings no lasting contentment. But, God enables us to enjoy life as we realize that He gives us good gifts in the ordinary things of everyday living. With the curse of Genesis 3, work became difficult. But, God redeems the curse and enables us to enjoy the work of our hands and the food and drink it provides.
The passage ends with a statement of how God blesses those who please Him, (the context being that he is able to enjoy that which God gives) but takes away from the sinner (he cannot find enjoyment in God’s gifts) and gives it to him that pleases God.
This foreshadows the words of Jesus, who said that what the unrighteous has will be taken away from him and given to the righteous (Matthew 13:12, Matthew 25:28, Mark 4:25, Luke 8:18, John 15:2). Each of these verses is in the context of judgment. God sees all that we do and stands ready to reward those who are righteous even as he judges the unrighteous.
This passage can be summed up by saying that when we work to achieve more and more, it is a striving after the wind and ultimately meaningless. Working for ‘someday’--in America, that is retirement--will leave us unhappy in the present. Work to provide for your needs, and learn to not only be satisfied, but take joy in the simple things which God provides in the here and now, not what may come in the future. Learn from the wisdom of Solomon. Life is meant to bring joy in what God provides, not in what we accomplish.
Life, under the sun, is vanity--a breath which is gone in an instant. But, Jesus rescues us from the futility of life. We have hope only because of Him. And yet, the hope we have on Earth is nothing to be compared with what awaits us when we are in His presence and even more so when He redeems Creation and we are living with Him in eternity. God will dwell with His people and nothing will be meaningless or striving after the wind.
READ 3:1-8
At first glance, it seems that this section is teaching us to discern when it is the proper time to act. Certainly, Scripture does admonish us to gain wisdom and discernment, but the context is about God, not about us. In all of our striving ‘under the sun’, there is a proper time for everything ‘under Heaven’. The phrases in verses 1-8 are opposites--the idea is that they encompass everything in between or completeness. It is God who determines the times and seasons of our lives--He is sovereign and providential over all.
None of us would choose the ‘negative’ seasons (die, pluck up, kill, break down, etc.) and we don’t have control over them--they happen. But, good also happens and both are from the hand of God. Life is meaningless apart from God--it is only in God that we can find true meaning--He orders the seasons and events of life--they are all according to His purposes. Apart from God, life is nothing more than randomness and chance. Some get the good roll of the dice, some don’t--there is no rhyme or reason. And, this results in despair. Life is an endless cycle (1:1-11), things come and go, but nothing is ever truly gained ‘under the sun’.
In the endless cycle of life there can be meaning when we see that God orders that which will happen--there is an appointed time for everything. The endless repetition is not futile, rather, it can be counted on. We know the sun will rise tomorrow. We know the ocean will not run dry. We know that life will be born. Living life ’under Heaven’ rather than ’under the sun’ makes all the difference between vanity and purpose.
We live ‘under Heaven’ by our faith in Jesus. He is the one who can change our reality of living ‘under the sun’. Because of Him, all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28-29). The context of this verse is suffering. Like the Preacher, we can become discouraged if we forget that God has appointed a time for everything under Heaven. God promises us that these things, both good and bad, work together for our good. We must learn to view life from the perspective that God is in control and therefore, we must trust His sovereignty.
READ 3:9-15
God has given man toil, but by his efforts, he cannot change anything that has been ordained. We make decisions everyday, but how these come together to prosper or thwart us is determined by God. We have no control over the unknown--we gain nothing from our efforts ‘under the sun’. But, God has made everything beautiful in its appropriate time. The idea is that everything fits beautifully as God has appointed it. Even the bad times are made to fit under God’s providential care. He is not unaware of our labor and trials--He is not far away.
God has also placed ‘eternity’ in our hearts. ‘Eternity’ is the Hebrew word ‘olam’ and its meaning is debated. It is variously translated as ‘past and future’, ‘world’, ‘darkness’ and ‘ignorance’. It can be translated:
‘God has set eternity in man’s heart, and yet, he can’t find out what God is doing’
‘God has set the world/darkness/ignorance in man’s heart, so that he can‘t find out what God is doing‘
Either way, the conclusion is the same--man is unable to know the mind of God, He is in control, not us.
Because of this, there is nothing better for man to do but to be joyful, do good, eat, drink and find pleasure in our work--this is a gift from God. As before, the Preacher tells us to find happiness in everyday things (2:24-25). We can’t find lasting happiness in possessions or accomplishments or in knowing the mind of God, but we can find it in what God has for us, and what He has is simple.
What God does lasts forever, not our accomplishments. Nothing can be added or taken away, He is the one who is sovereign over all. He appoints the times and seasons of life and makes it fit according to His purposes. We have no ultimate control. The reason? So that people may fear Him. We stand in awe of a God whom we can’t fully comprehend--if we could, we would be God.
Invictus, a poem written in 1875 and widely quoted, ends with:
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
When we live life ‘under the sun’, we believe we are in control, there is no fear of God. But it takes only one unforeseen tragedy to show that we have no control. God is providential over past and future events, what He decrees will happen. Even in the seemingly endless cycles of life, God is sovereign. History is not meaningless, it has a purpose--the same God who appoints a time for everything under Heaven also appointed that the Savior would be born at just the right time:
‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons’. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Jesus came at the right time in order to rescue His own and bring them into sonship. There is a time appointed for everything under Heaven and it all points ultimately to Jesus. Our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15a) and the wise will find joy in what God provides. Striving for joy ’under the sun’ will only lead to vanity--a chasing after the wind.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
ECCLESIASTES 1:12-2:11
Apart
from God, what we accomplish is never enough--and will result in
emptiness and despair. The Preacher explores the different ways that
people try to overcome this and find meaning among the emptiness. Our
natural inclination is to leave God out of our searching, and that
results in futility.
The first eleven verses describe the frustration of life in this fallen world--in the end, nothing is truly satisfying. Interestingly, God is not mentioned in these verses and I believe the Preacher intended it that way. Apart from God, all of our efforts are frustrated. We work and work to attain that which will last, but will fail every time when we strive for ultimate meaning apart from God.
There is One who brings ultimate meaning to the emptiness we feel--the Lord, Jesus. His words point back to Ecclesiastes, He is the fulfillment of the vanity in life. Even so, we need to understand the book as the original hearers would have understood in, in the ‘shadows’ of the Old Covenant’ before we understand it in the reality of the New Covenant.
Key themes in Ecclesiastes are :
Vanity, which is repeated 38 times and can be translated as empty, meaningless or futile. It conveys the idea of a breath or vapor--gone almost immediately with nothing to show for it. Nothing in life is permanent.
Man, which is repeated 56 times. Usually, it is the word ‘Adam’ (mankind). A few times, it is the word ‘male’. Ecclesiastes deals with humans living in a fallen world.
Work, which is repeated 26 times. Work is important but has been negatively affected by the Fall.
Under the sun, which is repeated 26 times. It is a way to describe life apart from God.
The book is designed to both be meditated upon and provoke dialogue. There appears to be contradictions within the book and against other Scripture. That’s because there are exceptions to every rule, life isn’t always so neatly packaged. We need to rest in the tension and not make any conclusions until the author does.
READ 1:12-2:11
In verses 12-14, the Preacher describes his credentials as he did in verse 1--’king in Jerusalem’. He tells us why he is qualified to teach the assembly--because he set out to use his wisdom to search all that is done under Heaven. All of us seek to know what life is all about, what God is doing. How many times have you heard someone say that when they get to Heaven they will ask God why He did some things? Perhaps you have said that. Solomon is reflecting on this. He had the power and resources to do whatever his heart desired. If anyone can find out what God is up to, it was Solomon.
He quickly concludes that it isn’t possible to know. Not only that, but what God has given man to do results in unhappiness. Why? Because it is striving after the wind--there is no real, lasting happiness in it. Life is burdensome. Don’t lose sight of the fact that his context is in this fallen world, where there is sorrow, frustration and grief.
The Preacher is unable to realize his quest to know what life is all about and what God is doing. Verse 15 is the point of this passage--we are helpless to change what God ordains, and what God doesn‘t provide can‘t be had. Even with the Preacher’s great wisdom, vast knowledge and plentiful experiences, it is all a striving after the wind. We don’t realize the entire consequence of the Fall in Genesis 3--every part of life is affected. Even the Earth is subject to frustration and awaits its redemption (Romans 8:20-21). Living became hard and often burdensome.
Just this past week, we commemorated lives lost in the attack on America--those who were directly affected will never be the same. We watched as fires rage in Seaside only months after it was ravaged by a hurricane. How will these people find the fortitude to rebuild? I am reminded of an acquaintance whose young son was killed in an auto accident at the fault of his older brother. How does one go on? Yes, life ‘under the sun’ is fleeting and sometimes, downright harsh. The Preacher looks squarely in the eye of the difficulties of life ‘under the sun‘, and declares it to be vanity--a mere breath.
Since Solomon cannot know all that God is doing, He looks in other directions to find something which will satisfy. He applies his heart to madness and folly--his great wisdom hasn’t brought lasting meaning to his life--maybe he’s been too serious minded--perhaps, he needs to ‘lighten up’. Once again, it is shown to be striving after the wind--he cannot grasp happiness for very long.
“For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (v.18)
Wisdom is good, but with it, comes sorrow. As we learn more about the world, stress and fear increase. Being oblivious is sometimes a good thing. Therefore, wisdom and knowledge are mixed blessings. Solomon, even with all his resources, possessions and the wisdom to enjoy them, couldn’t. Apart from God, nothing bring lasting fulfillment.
But, maybe this isn’t the final word--perhaps there is ultimate meaning in this world, maybe there is something to which he hasn’t yet availed himself. So, he sets out to do just that. Chapter 2:1-8 gives us a rapid succession of all the ways the Preacher set out to find meaning ‘under the sun’:
Nothing was withheld from him, he surpassed everyone--no one was greater than he (I Kings 10:23). Solomon found pleasure in his work, the things he accumulated brought him reward. There is enjoyment in accomplishment and gain. But, in the end, he was left wanting. You and I will most likely not have anywhere near the wealth, power and possessions of Solomon, neither will we have his wisdom. Therefore, it is wise for us to learn from him. If he couldn't find true meaning, then neither will we. Possessions are never enough because they can’t bring lasting satisfaction--it’s all striving after the wind. In the end, there is nothing to be gained ‘under the sun’.
Studies have shown that the very wealthy are happier than those who live paycheck to paycheck, that shouldn't come as a surprise. What is surprising is that there isn’t as large of a gap as one might think--one's happiness is not exponential according to their wealth. One writer put it this way--when we enjoy a good meal, we are satisfied--we don’t immediately have another because we enjoyed it. Possessions, however, are different. Even when we are satisfied, we want more. The rich may have more expensive things, but the desire to have newer and better is the same.
According to these studies, people are happiest when they can pay the bills and have a little left over. That’s pretty much what Ecclesiastes teaches as we shall soon see. Trying to find lasting joy in money and things is futile, a chasing after the wind. It never brings lasting meaning to our lives. As the great modern poet once said, ‘Money can’t buy me love’.
Nothing relational is mentioned thus far--even his wives were due to political alliances with the nations. The Preacher is searching for lasting meaning for himself, by himself, under the sun. All that he finds is that it is vanity, a chasing after the wind.
The first eleven verses describe the frustration of life in this fallen world--in the end, nothing is truly satisfying. Interestingly, God is not mentioned in these verses and I believe the Preacher intended it that way. Apart from God, all of our efforts are frustrated. We work and work to attain that which will last, but will fail every time when we strive for ultimate meaning apart from God.
There is One who brings ultimate meaning to the emptiness we feel--the Lord, Jesus. His words point back to Ecclesiastes, He is the fulfillment of the vanity in life. Even so, we need to understand the book as the original hearers would have understood in, in the ‘shadows’ of the Old Covenant’ before we understand it in the reality of the New Covenant.
Key themes in Ecclesiastes are :
Vanity, which is repeated 38 times and can be translated as empty, meaningless or futile. It conveys the idea of a breath or vapor--gone almost immediately with nothing to show for it. Nothing in life is permanent.
Man, which is repeated 56 times. Usually, it is the word ‘Adam’ (mankind). A few times, it is the word ‘male’. Ecclesiastes deals with humans living in a fallen world.
Work, which is repeated 26 times. Work is important but has been negatively affected by the Fall.
Under the sun, which is repeated 26 times. It is a way to describe life apart from God.
The book is designed to both be meditated upon and provoke dialogue. There appears to be contradictions within the book and against other Scripture. That’s because there are exceptions to every rule, life isn’t always so neatly packaged. We need to rest in the tension and not make any conclusions until the author does.
READ 1:12-2:11
In verses 12-14, the Preacher describes his credentials as he did in verse 1--’king in Jerusalem’. He tells us why he is qualified to teach the assembly--because he set out to use his wisdom to search all that is done under Heaven. All of us seek to know what life is all about, what God is doing. How many times have you heard someone say that when they get to Heaven they will ask God why He did some things? Perhaps you have said that. Solomon is reflecting on this. He had the power and resources to do whatever his heart desired. If anyone can find out what God is up to, it was Solomon.
He quickly concludes that it isn’t possible to know. Not only that, but what God has given man to do results in unhappiness. Why? Because it is striving after the wind--there is no real, lasting happiness in it. Life is burdensome. Don’t lose sight of the fact that his context is in this fallen world, where there is sorrow, frustration and grief.
The Preacher is unable to realize his quest to know what life is all about and what God is doing. Verse 15 is the point of this passage--we are helpless to change what God ordains, and what God doesn‘t provide can‘t be had. Even with the Preacher’s great wisdom, vast knowledge and plentiful experiences, it is all a striving after the wind. We don’t realize the entire consequence of the Fall in Genesis 3--every part of life is affected. Even the Earth is subject to frustration and awaits its redemption (Romans 8:20-21). Living became hard and often burdensome.
Just this past week, we commemorated lives lost in the attack on America--those who were directly affected will never be the same. We watched as fires rage in Seaside only months after it was ravaged by a hurricane. How will these people find the fortitude to rebuild? I am reminded of an acquaintance whose young son was killed in an auto accident at the fault of his older brother. How does one go on? Yes, life ‘under the sun’ is fleeting and sometimes, downright harsh. The Preacher looks squarely in the eye of the difficulties of life ‘under the sun‘, and declares it to be vanity--a mere breath.
Since Solomon cannot know all that God is doing, He looks in other directions to find something which will satisfy. He applies his heart to madness and folly--his great wisdom hasn’t brought lasting meaning to his life--maybe he’s been too serious minded--perhaps, he needs to ‘lighten up’. Once again, it is shown to be striving after the wind--he cannot grasp happiness for very long.
“For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (v.18)
Wisdom is good, but with it, comes sorrow. As we learn more about the world, stress and fear increase. Being oblivious is sometimes a good thing. Therefore, wisdom and knowledge are mixed blessings. Solomon, even with all his resources, possessions and the wisdom to enjoy them, couldn’t. Apart from God, nothing bring lasting fulfillment.
But, maybe this isn’t the final word--perhaps there is ultimate meaning in this world, maybe there is something to which he hasn’t yet availed himself. So, he sets out to do just that. Chapter 2:1-8 gives us a rapid succession of all the ways the Preacher set out to find meaning ‘under the sun’:
- I cheered my body with wine
- I pursued folly
- I built great buildings
- I planted vineyards, gardens, parks, fruit trees, and engineered the means to irrigate
- I accumulated many slaves, herds and flocks, more than anyone else in Jerusalem
- I had silver, gold and great treasures from kings and foreign lands
- I accumulated singers, and many concubines (300, and 700 wives 1 Kings 11:3). The old KJV says he accumulated musical instruments.
- I had the delight of sons and men--anything one could want, Solomon had
Nothing was withheld from him, he surpassed everyone--no one was greater than he (I Kings 10:23). Solomon found pleasure in his work, the things he accumulated brought him reward. There is enjoyment in accomplishment and gain. But, in the end, he was left wanting. You and I will most likely not have anywhere near the wealth, power and possessions of Solomon, neither will we have his wisdom. Therefore, it is wise for us to learn from him. If he couldn't find true meaning, then neither will we. Possessions are never enough because they can’t bring lasting satisfaction--it’s all striving after the wind. In the end, there is nothing to be gained ‘under the sun’.
Studies have shown that the very wealthy are happier than those who live paycheck to paycheck, that shouldn't come as a surprise. What is surprising is that there isn’t as large of a gap as one might think--one's happiness is not exponential according to their wealth. One writer put it this way--when we enjoy a good meal, we are satisfied--we don’t immediately have another because we enjoyed it. Possessions, however, are different. Even when we are satisfied, we want more. The rich may have more expensive things, but the desire to have newer and better is the same.
According to these studies, people are happiest when they can pay the bills and have a little left over. That’s pretty much what Ecclesiastes teaches as we shall soon see. Trying to find lasting joy in money and things is futile, a chasing after the wind. It never brings lasting meaning to our lives. As the great modern poet once said, ‘Money can’t buy me love’.
Nothing relational is mentioned thus far--even his wives were due to political alliances with the nations. The Preacher is searching for lasting meaning for himself, by himself, under the sun. All that he finds is that it is vanity, a chasing after the wind.
Monday, September 9, 2013
ECCLESIASTES 1:1-11
Ecclesiastes is traditionally believed to be authored by the wise King Solomon, ‘the son of David, king in Jerusalem’ (1:1). Some scholars, however, believe that the language and topics discussed are not that of Solomon, but of someone presenting it as if it were from Solomon, who is the great voice of wisdom. Furthermore, the name Solomon is not mentioned, the author refers to himself simply as ‘The Preacher’. Ecclesiastes (Greek), or Qoheleth (Hebrew), as the book is sometimes called, means ‘assembly‘. Thus, the person addressing the assembly is ‘The Preacher‘.
The book is written to God’s people who struggle with what He is doing in their lives and the world around them. All of us can relate to that--life often seems so wrong and unfair. We want to achieve and fall short. Life can become meaningless in our sorrows and even in our successes. We try to make sense of life, but our striving will only leave us hopeless and disillusioned.
The Preacher explores the different ways that people try to overcome and find meaning among the emptiness. Our natural inclination is to leave God out of our searching, and that results in futility. Apart from God, what we have is never enough--that‘s why it results in emptiness and despair. Solomon understands the complexities and frustrations of life ‘under the sun‘ or, apart from God, and makes his point over and over again. He is forthright and gritty--nothing is sugar coated here. If we aren’t rooted, grounded and anchored in God, we will strive but not endure and we will lose hope.
Ultimately, the message of Ecclesiastes is about Jesus, because He tells us that all of Scripture is about Him (Luke 24:27, John 5:39). In this study, we will learn to see Jesus in Ecclesiastes--how it all points to Him.
Chapter 1:1-11 is the thesis statement of the book--it tells us what the book is about.
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”?
It has been already in the ages before us.
There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.
As I read this passage, I am reminded of the hamster on the wheel--going and going, but nothing is accomplished. It’s leaves me frustrated. God is nowhere mentioned in these verses.
That’s the point. Apart from God, all of our efforts are frustrated. And that’s the message of Ecclesiastes.
The main points of the book are:
Everything is vain (empty or useless) ‘under the sun’ (apart from God)
The cycle of life and nature exemplifies this uselessness--nothing is truly gained
There is no lasting satisfaction
Nothing is ever truly new
Nothing will be remembered forever
If you miss that these statements all refer back to verses 2 and 3, that is, life ‘under the sun’, then you will miss the point of the book and dismiss it as pessimistic. Instead, we should see Ecclesiastes as a book written by a very wise man who, because of his experience, has something to teach us about how we should live.
Verse 1 tells us that the author knows what he is talking about, he is the king, after all--everything is at his disposal. He, along with his father, David, were the kings during the glory days of Israel. God granted him great wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 3:5-14, 2 Chronicles 1:7-12) and Jerusalem prospered under his rule. Some believe that Ecclesiastes was written at the end of his life when he was in a depressed and backslidden state--one who started well, but didn’t end well. If you are one of these people, perhaps this study will change your mind and you will see the book in a new way.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that the cycles of life and nature reveal that nothing is ever really new. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows, the waters fill the sea, but never to fullness--it’s just the same thing, over and over again. In the same way, when we have, we want more. The enthusiast wants the newest and best; the musician wants a better instrument, the jewelry lover wants a bigger diamond, the salesman wants a bigger sale, and on it goes. There will always be something newer and better, therefore, any satisfaction we get is fleeting. We are never truly satisfied.
What is, has been before and will come again. New products and technology lead to new and improved products and technology--it’s never enough. Even this is just another way to communicate or get things done--the basis doesn’t change. People have always communicated, people have always worked, people have always traveled--the modes are always changing, but there is nothing truly new under the sun. It’s all been done before.
The Preacher says that nothing will be remembered forever. You might be thinking that there is remembrance of things that people do- I’m sure you can list some of them. The point is, there will always be someone to take their place, there will always be someone new to be excited about. Celebrities are on the front pages, until someone new comes along--how quickly they become ‘has beens’. Buildings, schools and stadiums are named for great people, until a big corporation pays enough money to remove the name and replace it with their own.
And one day, they are old and torn down. They are just a memory.
Look at the ruins in Rome and Greece, they are nothing like they were when new and bright and filled with life. Imagine the excitement of the Roman Coliseum, which held up to 80,000 people. Built from 70-80 AD, the Coliseum was the symbol of Roman power. The giant statue of Nero, Emperor of the world, towered before it. The statue is long gone and forgotten. The arena, once vibrant, is just a façade.
Likewise, the Parthenon, a temple to the Greek Goddess, Athena, was captured by the Ottoman Empire and turned into a Mosque, no longer to symbolize Greece and its religion. The building, along with it’s magnificent sculptures, was eventually badly damaged by invading armies. It’s magnificence--gone. Two great world Empires are now tourist attractions--the might and terror are gone. The monuments built to display their significance for all time are a shadow of what they were- broken and scattered.
These are just two examples of structures intended to leave a lasting legacy of might and strength. Of the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World, only the Pyramid of Giza remains. The rest? Gone. Now, there are new lists of ‘Great Wonders’--they are been replaced by the ‘new and improved’. Nothing remains forever, there will always be something or someone to take its place.
Your children and grandchildren will likely remember you--your great grandchildren? Maybe. Beyond that, it is doubtful that they will know anything about you and your accomplishments. Given enough time and distance, even the greatest legacies will be forgotten, it’s all vanity.
Does this depress you? Good! That’s what the Preacher wants you to realize. The greatest accomplishments are futile, apart from God. He is not referring to joy in accomplishment, he is referring to ultimate meaning. Without this, there is despair, and this is what he shows in the following chapters. There are no quick and easy answers in Ecclesiastes. We must slow down, think pensively and drink deeply of the futility of life ‘under the sun’.
In all the emptiness of life, there is One who brings ultimate meaning--the Lord, Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But, we don‘t need to live apart from Him. Jesus’ words point back to Ecclesiastes, and He is the fulfillment of the vanity in life:
“And He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (LUKE 12:15-21)
The rich fool lost everything, his barns, his riches, and most importantly, his soul. Jesus’ teachings echo the themes in Ecclesiastes. The one who put all his hope in riches, in the end, had nothing. Living life ‘under the sun’ is ultimately meaningless, regardless of how much we achieve. In the end, it is vanity.
“Therefore, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Ecclesiastes has a very contemporary message for us, for, we too are tempted to live life apart from God--’under the sun’. As Jesus taught, we need to put our hope in Heavenly things, not Earthly things. Our hope is to be in the things will which last, not that which will become corrupt and decay. We need to learn the lesson from the wise Preacher that apart from God, ultimately, nothing is gained and all is vanity. Life will be constant striving with no satisfying meaning.
Jesus became sin so that believers might become the righteousness of God
(2 Corinthians 5:21) Believers are now in union with Him. That’s how we can have ultimate meaning in life, because of what He has done on our behalf and who we are in Him. Solomon understood the futility of life ‘under the sun’ and we too need to understand it. Only in Christ are we able to avoid the fate of the rich man, who gained the whole world, but lost his own soul (Mark 8:36-37).
The book is written to God’s people who struggle with what He is doing in their lives and the world around them. All of us can relate to that--life often seems so wrong and unfair. We want to achieve and fall short. Life can become meaningless in our sorrows and even in our successes. We try to make sense of life, but our striving will only leave us hopeless and disillusioned.
The Preacher explores the different ways that people try to overcome and find meaning among the emptiness. Our natural inclination is to leave God out of our searching, and that results in futility. Apart from God, what we have is never enough--that‘s why it results in emptiness and despair. Solomon understands the complexities and frustrations of life ‘under the sun‘ or, apart from God, and makes his point over and over again. He is forthright and gritty--nothing is sugar coated here. If we aren’t rooted, grounded and anchored in God, we will strive but not endure and we will lose hope.
Ultimately, the message of Ecclesiastes is about Jesus, because He tells us that all of Scripture is about Him (Luke 24:27, John 5:39). In this study, we will learn to see Jesus in Ecclesiastes--how it all points to Him.
Chapter 1:1-11 is the thesis statement of the book--it tells us what the book is about.
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north;
around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full;
to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it;
the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”?
It has been already in the ages before us.
There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.
As I read this passage, I am reminded of the hamster on the wheel--going and going, but nothing is accomplished. It’s leaves me frustrated. God is nowhere mentioned in these verses.
That’s the point. Apart from God, all of our efforts are frustrated. And that’s the message of Ecclesiastes.
The main points of the book are:
Everything is vain (empty or useless) ‘under the sun’ (apart from God)
The cycle of life and nature exemplifies this uselessness--nothing is truly gained
There is no lasting satisfaction
Nothing is ever truly new
Nothing will be remembered forever
If you miss that these statements all refer back to verses 2 and 3, that is, life ‘under the sun’, then you will miss the point of the book and dismiss it as pessimistic. Instead, we should see Ecclesiastes as a book written by a very wise man who, because of his experience, has something to teach us about how we should live.
Verse 1 tells us that the author knows what he is talking about, he is the king, after all--everything is at his disposal. He, along with his father, David, were the kings during the glory days of Israel. God granted him great wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 3:5-14, 2 Chronicles 1:7-12) and Jerusalem prospered under his rule. Some believe that Ecclesiastes was written at the end of his life when he was in a depressed and backslidden state--one who started well, but didn’t end well. If you are one of these people, perhaps this study will change your mind and you will see the book in a new way.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that the cycles of life and nature reveal that nothing is ever really new. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows, the waters fill the sea, but never to fullness--it’s just the same thing, over and over again. In the same way, when we have, we want more. The enthusiast wants the newest and best; the musician wants a better instrument, the jewelry lover wants a bigger diamond, the salesman wants a bigger sale, and on it goes. There will always be something newer and better, therefore, any satisfaction we get is fleeting. We are never truly satisfied.
What is, has been before and will come again. New products and technology lead to new and improved products and technology--it’s never enough. Even this is just another way to communicate or get things done--the basis doesn’t change. People have always communicated, people have always worked, people have always traveled--the modes are always changing, but there is nothing truly new under the sun. It’s all been done before.
The Preacher says that nothing will be remembered forever. You might be thinking that there is remembrance of things that people do- I’m sure you can list some of them. The point is, there will always be someone to take their place, there will always be someone new to be excited about. Celebrities are on the front pages, until someone new comes along--how quickly they become ‘has beens’. Buildings, schools and stadiums are named for great people, until a big corporation pays enough money to remove the name and replace it with their own.
And one day, they are old and torn down. They are just a memory.
Look at the ruins in Rome and Greece, they are nothing like they were when new and bright and filled with life. Imagine the excitement of the Roman Coliseum, which held up to 80,000 people. Built from 70-80 AD, the Coliseum was the symbol of Roman power. The giant statue of Nero, Emperor of the world, towered before it. The statue is long gone and forgotten. The arena, once vibrant, is just a façade.
Likewise, the Parthenon, a temple to the Greek Goddess, Athena, was captured by the Ottoman Empire and turned into a Mosque, no longer to symbolize Greece and its religion. The building, along with it’s magnificent sculptures, was eventually badly damaged by invading armies. It’s magnificence--gone. Two great world Empires are now tourist attractions--the might and terror are gone. The monuments built to display their significance for all time are a shadow of what they were- broken and scattered.
These are just two examples of structures intended to leave a lasting legacy of might and strength. Of the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World, only the Pyramid of Giza remains. The rest? Gone. Now, there are new lists of ‘Great Wonders’--they are been replaced by the ‘new and improved’. Nothing remains forever, there will always be something or someone to take its place.
Your children and grandchildren will likely remember you--your great grandchildren? Maybe. Beyond that, it is doubtful that they will know anything about you and your accomplishments. Given enough time and distance, even the greatest legacies will be forgotten, it’s all vanity.
Does this depress you? Good! That’s what the Preacher wants you to realize. The greatest accomplishments are futile, apart from God. He is not referring to joy in accomplishment, he is referring to ultimate meaning. Without this, there is despair, and this is what he shows in the following chapters. There are no quick and easy answers in Ecclesiastes. We must slow down, think pensively and drink deeply of the futility of life ‘under the sun’.
In all the emptiness of life, there is One who brings ultimate meaning--the Lord, Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But, we don‘t need to live apart from Him. Jesus’ words point back to Ecclesiastes, and He is the fulfillment of the vanity in life:
“And He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (LUKE 12:15-21)
The rich fool lost everything, his barns, his riches, and most importantly, his soul. Jesus’ teachings echo the themes in Ecclesiastes. The one who put all his hope in riches, in the end, had nothing. Living life ‘under the sun’ is ultimately meaningless, regardless of how much we achieve. In the end, it is vanity.
“Therefore, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Ecclesiastes has a very contemporary message for us, for, we too are tempted to live life apart from God--’under the sun’. As Jesus taught, we need to put our hope in Heavenly things, not Earthly things. Our hope is to be in the things will which last, not that which will become corrupt and decay. We need to learn the lesson from the wise Preacher that apart from God, ultimately, nothing is gained and all is vanity. Life will be constant striving with no satisfying meaning.
Jesus became sin so that believers might become the righteousness of God
(2 Corinthians 5:21) Believers are now in union with Him. That’s how we can have ultimate meaning in life, because of what He has done on our behalf and who we are in Him. Solomon understood the futility of life ‘under the sun’ and we too need to understand it. Only in Christ are we able to avoid the fate of the rich man, who gained the whole world, but lost his own soul (Mark 8:36-37).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)