Day #2: The Question

 Is there any meaning and purpose to be found in this life? 

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 advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? (Ec 1:1-3, NASB95)

 

In answer to this question, Solomon reminds us of the futility of our efforts "under the sun."  He claims, "all is vanity". These two phrases, "all is vanity" and "under the sun”, are used repeatedly.    That pretty much sums up his thesis. He systematically takes the most common pursuits of man and shows their emptiness.  And he speaks from experience.  He is no theoretical philosopher, but rather a man who has done it all.  He had it all, did it all, and declares all is meaningless.

 

The phrase "under the sun" is used 29 times throughout Ecclesiastes. So, what does he mean by this phrase? Another way to say it might be "on this earth".  He is dealing with earthly, temporary, human things. Solomon is on a quest to evaluate the everyday realities of life on this planet.  And when he looks at life, he perceives its brokenness. A good title for his book could be Living Above a Fallen World.

 

Solomon's perspective has great benefit for us today.  It's good for us to remember where we live.  For those who know Christ we have a home in heaven. But we aren't there yet; we still live on this earth.  This world is not the beautiful, perfect place, as God originally created it.  Man has sinned and this has brought death and decay to our world- the world of men and nature.  Our world is twisted and broken.  When Solomon sees the futility of things he is commenting on this brokenness.  God has created us in His image and we long for perfection.  But we don't find it in this life. Paul reminds us of this fact in Romans chapter 8 verse 18-25.

 

For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly but because of God who subjected it—in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.

 

The true Christian lives in a unique dilemma.  We have experienced the new birth and been indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  We have begun the process of being conformed to the image of Christ.  We look forward to eternity with God in heaven.  God has placed this sense of eternity inside us (Ec 3:11). And yet we live in a world that is still in bondage to death and decay. We are not well-suited to live in such a world.  It influences every aspect of our lives.  Have you ever wondered why relationships tend to break down, or why our aspirations so often lead to nothing.  Why is history so full of wars, famines, sickness, and natural disasters?  Why do we struggle within ourselves to find peace and serenity?  Somehow, in our very being we long for more.  We long for something better.  Yet here we are.

 

So, we must learn to navigate this world and not be overcome by it.  We must also learn to resist the temptations that come from living in such a world.

 

In Ecclesiastes we see this world, "under the sun" with absolute clarity.  That is why Solomon's perspective is so valuable for us.  It is easy for us to be seduced by the everyday cares of this world.  And it is so easy for us to drift toward worldly pursuits to find fulfillment.  We need Solomon, with all his wealth, power, and women to remind us that ultimately these things do not satisfy the cravings of the human heart. It is important, as you read Ecclesiastes, that you do some soul-searching.  Don't dismiss his points too quickly or think, "I know someone who could really benefit from this."  Take time to analyze to what extent you have been deceived into thinking that life consists of the things of this world.  The concerns of life can creep in and choke out our fruitfulness.  Love for the world will replace what should be love for God. 

 

"There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing."- Blaise Pascal.

 

Questions to consider:

 

  1. In what ways does living in a fallen world cause frustration for people?
  2. Would you agree with Solomon in saying, "All is futile"?  Why or why not?
  3. What are the things of this world that most often deceive us?
  4. What helps you avoid these things?

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