Ecclesiastes– the Purpose of Life
07.19.22
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
You may recall that we took a long look at this book just within the past year. So, if this brief presentation does not satisfy your curiosity or yearning, first read Ecclesiastes in full. Second, all of the articles that were published in the Westbrook Sentinel Tribune can be found on-line at our church website, ibcwestbrook.com
The title comes from the Latin form of the Greek word for ‘assembly,’ which is translated in most places in the NT as ‘church’ The Hebrew title refers to ‘one who addresses an assembly, a teacher or preacher.’ Note that in the key verse, the author refers to himself as a Preacher.
The author also refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” (1:1) This can be no other than Solomon. The author’s wealth, wisdom, and pleasure-seeking back this up.
As noted when we looked at the book of Proverbs, Solomon likely wrote this book in his later years. He died and the kingdom was divided in 931 BC. Ecclesiastes is a record of Solomon’s regret for and repentance of his moral lapses as recorded in 1 Kings 11.
Solomon went on a search for purpose in life. This book is a record of this journey. His basic conclusion is that life is futile apart from God.
Part of being human is trying to figure out life. Man’s desire to find meaning to life should drive him to God. Only God can satisfy the deepest hungers of the human heart. Beyond the sun, what is beyond this life, is the living God who can fill the hearts of those who will let Him.
In the development of this, Solomon displays four key purposes. First, he wants to make his readers hunger for God. He seeks to demolish confidence in all man-based achievements and wisdom.
Second, man’s outlook must become vertical rather than horizontal. Solomon affirms that much of life cannot be fully understood. We must live by faith and not by sight. Life is full of unexplained enigmas and uncorrected injustices. We must rest in the sovereign wisdom and work of God.
Third, a righteous order exists in this universe, but man cannot always see it from his perspective. Ecclesiastes presents a realistic view of life. While Proverbs 10:16 tells us that justice is meted out to the righteous and the wicked, Eccl 8:14 observes that this is not always the case—at least in this life.
Fourth and finally, meaning and significance can be found in fearing and obeying God.
Solomon showed that man, left to his own strategies will always find life empty, frustrating and mysterious.
His final conclusions are stated clearly at the very end of the book (12:13, 14) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Since the Lord Jesus Christ alone is man’s way to God and to an abundant life, the futility and perplexity of life can only be removed through a personal relationship with Him. Man’s aspirations for significance and satisfaction are found only in the Savior. If you have not come to the Savior, come to Him today!