Solomon, as nearly no other person in history, had the world at his feet. He was possessor of uncountable wealth and possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:8); he was unsurpassed in education and knowledge (Ecclesiastes 1:16); he was in the peak of worldly fame, popularity and prominence (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6); he was unbridled in his ability and desire to pursue and find pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:3). After a life of pursuit he confesses with Christ that one may well gain the whole world and still lose his own soul (Matthew 16:26). Only in the Lord is there any hope for this life! We must meet that “One Shepherd” (Ecclesiastes 12:11) who alone offers “abundant life” (John 10:9-10).
God divinely inspired Solomon to record the truth of what it takes to have contentment in life as a believer. This is a philosophy of life for us as Christians. The Lord has given us revelation to help us govern our temporal lives on earth. He did not leave us alone to try to come up with our own plan!
We might distill down the essential truths of these 12 chapters as being:
LIFE APART FROM GOD IS VAIN.
LIFE WITH GOD CAN BE VAIN IF CONTENTMENT IS NOT PRACTICED!
SELF LIFE IS FUTILE, CHRIST LIFE IS EVERYTHING! Frustration is produced by putting out gaze on self or circumstances instead of on the Lord! (Hebrews 12:2) When we look at self or the world around us, it is depressing because neither is designed to last forever! Note in Ecclesiastes 2, the personal pronoun “I” is used 36 times. This is much like Romans 7, where Paul describes the self-life struggle personally over 30 times. Then, in Romans 8, life in the Holy Spirit almost erases Paul’s self-awareness.
Many doctrines are found in this book:
Mankind and Labor
Wisdom versus Folly
Reality of death and brevity of life
EARTHLY LIFE IS SHORT Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (KJV) Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return. (KJV)
EARTHLY LIFE IS TERMINAL Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. (NKJV)
EARTHLY LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE Ecclesiastes 9:12 For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men [are] snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them. (NKJV)
EARTHLY LIFE ENDS IN DUST Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. (NKJV) BUT DEATH DOESN’T END IT ALL!
From KGD-10e – Seeing Christ Through the Books of Poetry (970212WE)
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