The Meaning of Life
I tuned into a sermon this Sabbath morning instead of attending service at my local house of worship. I take a personal Sabbath, a total rest from travel, at least once per month yet I always keep this day of the week Holy by studying God’s word and finding a sermon.
This sermon was from a former Pastor of our church who was relocated and their church streams online. His sermon was on the meaning of life and the book of Ecclesiastes, which King Solomon wrote. As you may know, King Solomon was the son of David and was the wisest King because he, when asked by God what he desired sought wisdom instead of glory and riches. God blessed him with wisdom and glory AND riches.
The Vanity of Life
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 (NKJV)
“Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Why Work?
3: What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he [b]toils under the sun?
4: One generation passes away, and another generation comes;
But the earth abides forever.
8: All things are [d]full of labor;
Man cannot express it.
There is No Satisfaction
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor the ear filled with hearing.
Never Anything New?
9: That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun.
10: Is there anything of which it may be said,
“See, this is new”?
It has already been in ancient times before us.
Why Bother. Nobody Will Remember Anyway
11: There is no remembrance of former things,
Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come
By those who will come after.
I feel compelled to share this with you because today many think their lives are meaningless. Note verse 11 where he says” There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after.
This is true. When I think about past generations in my family there is no information about my great-great-great grandparents. I knew my great-grandparents. And they told me a little about their parents but before that, there was no information.
Is Life Meaningless?
Ecclesiastes may seem like a book full of woe is me and depressive thoughts yet when we study his words knowing that God Himself inspired him to write them they take on a whole new meaning. Let’s study together and you will see.
Solomon sought wisdom, yet it appears he was sorry that he was granted this gift. When we read verses 12 -18 of chapter 1:
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be [a]exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has [b]understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
What Is Vanity
We see with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and this is vanity. First, we need to understand what the word vanity means in the correct context. The Hebrew word for “vanity” is “Hebel” (לָבֶל), which suggests something fleeting, like a breath or vapor. Human existence is compared to this transience (Psalm 39:5). * (copied from a Bing search)
Despair, futileness…my understanding is that he felt all his wisdom and possessions were useless, had no meaning, because when you die you can’t take any of it with you. He was correct. when I die everything that I have worked so hard for all of my life will either go to designated heirs through a will or if I die without a will or other provision to the State.
So why bother at all? In all honesty, I never had much as a child and so I am living for myself in this last half of my life and will most likely sell most of it off well before my death (God willing).
To Be Continued
I would like you to read Ecclesiastes Chapters 1 and 2 and ponder Solomon’s words. My next post will continue this study. Please share your thoughts about the book of Ecclesiastes and how/if it has changed your perspective.
Until next time, Dear Father in heaven, I pray that your words will touch every soul that reads them. In Jesus name, Amen. Enjoy the following video by pastor Doug Batchelor.
