One of my past students surprised me by saying that Ecclesiastes was his favorite book in the Bible. This is my response after reading Ecclesiastes repeatedly in a short span.
Ecclesiastes on Life’s Futility
If the Olympics had an event for the most depressing book in the Bible, Lamentations gets gold, but Ecclesiastes is nipping at its heels. This summer, I read Ecclesiastes a dozen times. I have never understood the unthinking optimist. How could anyone NOT entertain the idea that all life is futile and meaningless. I can understand someone coming through the dark feelings, but if you have never felt “vanity of vanity, all is vanity” something is wrong with you.
Solomon tried everything and “there is nothing new under the sun.” Labor is “striving after wind”. Men work, but then die like beasts and return to dust. “Chance and time overtake” everyone. Nothing “under the sun” makes sense and it will all be forgotten. But, what if you looked not just under the sun, but above the sun?
Ecclesiastes on God’s Eternal Purpose
Above the sun is the One who gives meaning to every act. He is Judge and will give eternal significance to everything whether seen or hidden, remembered by man or forgotten. We rightly fear God as Judge. But we should also thank Him for giving eternal significance to everything that we do. Solomon concludes, “Eat, drink, and enjoy life. Remember the Creator in the days of your youth. Fear God and keep His commandments”
Above the sun, they all make sense.