Ecclesiastes: Jesus Is Our Meaning For Life
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Ecclesiastes: Jesus Is Our Meaning For Life
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (ESV)
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.
8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.
Have you ever heard the expression, “Life is like a treadmill?” Why would some people compare life to a treadmill? It is because, like on a treadmill, you exert so much effort in running or walking, but the problem is that you don’t go anywhere. Unfortunately, today, many people still feel that their lives are empty and meaningless despite all their hard work.
Here is a perfect example of this feeling: On October 6, 1993, after winning his 3rd NBA championships and 7th consecutive scoring titles, Michael Jordan, at the age of 30, announced his retirement from playing basketball in Chicago, saying, “The game offered no more challenges to motivate him, so he was walking away from it.”
Let me assure you that Michael Jordan is not the only one who felt this way about life. Perhaps, some of you feel the same way. Well, thousand of years ago, there was a man with more power, more money, and more popularity than Michael Jordan, who also struggled with the lack of meaning of his life. His name is King Solomon, and he is the author of the book of Ecclesiastes.
Last Sunday, Pastor Jeru introduced him to us, so I would skip repeating the information. If there is something I want to reemphasize, it would be the fact that he is the wisest man who had walked on earth after Jesus Christ. Also, with the books he had written, it would be helpful to establish the time in his life when he wrote each one of them:
Song of Solomon – as a young man, he wrote a story of deep love and devotion.
Proverbs – As a middle-aged man, he wrote a collection of profound and practical sayings about life.
Ecclesiastes – As an elderly, after going down every path, he testified the most of it was just a chasing of the wind.
You see, my primary responsibility for this sermon is to help all of us discover the representation of Jesus as our meaning of life. I believe it is essential to know that during the later time of his life, he began to have this struggle of going through a monotonous cycle of life and not having a fuller understanding of the meaning of why he was doing what he was doing.
Do you sometimes find yourself struggling with the same problem? The good thing about Solomon is that he won’t just sit around waiting for the answers to come to him; he would commit himself to do whatever was necessary to find the answers to his struggle proactively. Having been blessed with a great mind and vast resources, he felt more than capable of finding his solutions. As we study the book of Ecclesiastes, we would literally find the document, which recorded King Solomon’s quest for answers. I would divide our study of this book into three major sections:
I SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CONCERNS
When you go back to the text we read earlier, it is significant to note in verse 1 that King Solomon introduces himself as the “Preacher.” The Greek equivalent of this word is Ecclesiastes, where we got the title of the book. In the Bible, whenever this word is used, it refers to someone who addresses an assembly of people with an important message. Therefore, it is safe to assume that King Solomon wanted to impress all his readers that in this book, he is bringing to them a special message that they should not ignore.
Then, as you move to verse 2, King Solomon provides us right away with the conclusion of his search, taken from the Hebrew word “Hebel,” which could be translated as vanity, empty, or meaningless. I like that you don’t have to wait until the last chapter of the book to know the conclusion. But, you need to go through the process of his search to understand the impact of his conclusion fully.
Now, beginning in verse 3, King Solomon verbalizes his actual personal concern by asking a question that many of you might be asking until today - What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? If we paraphrase this question, it could be stated - What do people achieve out of all their hard work under the sun? Without a doubt, there is a point in our lives when we all had begun asking this question. It’s just practical. With the short life that we have and, honestly, the amount of time we spend working every day, it would be great to be convinced we have consumed our lives, fulfilling our primary purpose of existence at the end of our lives.
You see, if you go back to the text starting from verse 4 until verse 11, he explains how he came up with this conclusion that his life was all vanity. Why? When King Solomon watched the endless cycle or routine of life, he concludes that nothing changes in life; everyone goes through repetitive activities. However, to qualify Solomon’s perspective, it is critical to emphasize the phrase in verse 3, “under the sun.”
If you check the statement of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:20, he clearly explains that because of sin, the whole creation has been subjected to emptiness or futility:
Romans 8:20 (ESV)
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
So, if you are asking, “Why am I so bored with life?” The obvious answer you will find in the book is that you have failed to connect your life with Jesus, who can give you the meaning you need in life. In other words, all the experiences that he considered meaningless were all his experiences under the sun. The truth of the matter is that if we want to discover the true meaning of life, we need to look for someone above the sun because it is only Him who can help us find meaning in this life. The apostle Paul saw the reality of this truth. He can declare:
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Going back to the book of Ecclesiastes, it is evident that King Solomon will also arrive with the same conclusion. Let’s move to our second section:
II SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CROSS-EXAMINATIONS
Since King Solomon had some personal concerns that he wanted to be answered, beginning in verse 12 to the following chapters, he will give himself to some thorough cross-examinations or investigations of some areas which he thought can give meaning to life. The truth of the matter is that all of us are in pursuit of something, which we believe will provide us with meaning and purpose in life. The central issue is: What is the highest good for us? Or what will bring us the highest satisfaction in life? Here are the following areas that King Solomon explored:
1. Philosophy
Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 (ESV)
12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
King Solomon valued wisdom in life, so he did not hesitate to ask it from God (1 Kings 3:1-15). With his great wisdom, he spent a lot of his time studying the different philosophies of the world. Many people think that if they have a deeper understanding of life's complexities, their existence will be meaningful. However, King Solomon’s conclusion about summarized in Ecclesiastes 1:18 (ESV):
18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
2. Pleasure (2:1-3)
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 (ESV)
1 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.
2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”
3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
When the intellectual pursuit failed King Solomon, the next he considered was a pleasure. If you read the passage, he tried everything that he thought would make him happy. Have you ever asked yourself - What can make me happy? Let me give you a little warning about this pursuit because, during these last days, the Bible warns that it is so easy to fall in love with pleasure more than being in love with God.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 (ESV)
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Again, if you go back to the book of Ecclesiastes, even pleasure will not satisfy us.
3. Projects (2:4-6)
Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 (ESV)
4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.
The third that King Solomon tried to pursue was significant projects like houses, parks, gardens, pools, etc. Just like so many people today who attempt to fill their lives with significant accomplishments, he thought they would give him meaning. But they also failed him.
4. Possessions (2:7-10)
Ecclesiastes 2:7-10 (ESV)
7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.
8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
Lastly, King Solomon acquired anything and everything his eyes desired. He did not withhold anything from himself. Of course, the question that needs to be asked is: Did they make him happy? Not at all! Allow me to remind you that riches people are not necessarily the most satisfied people. The pleasures he got from all his acquisitions were fleeting and temporary. Listen to how to put in
Ecclesiastes 2:18-20 (ESV):
18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me,
19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.
20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,
If you examine carefully the research work that King Solomon did, I’m sure you would agree with me that it was exhaustive and thorough. Any researcher will tell you that once someone had already done in-depth research, it would be foolish to repeat it unless you can guarantee a different conclusion. Unfortunately, many are still going back to the same pursuits only to find the same conclusions. So, what are the conclusions of King Solomon? Let’s move to the last point:
III SOLOMON’S PERSONAL CONCLUSIONS
Finally, after spending so much time, energy, and resources, King Solomon will share his conclusions in the book's last chapter. Allow me to enumerate them for you:
1. Remember Your Creator
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (ESV)
1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
Since King Solomon failed to find meaning and purpose in everything he pursued under the sun, it would be reasonable to get back to God. Please notice that the title he used for God is not Savior or Redeemer; he specifically used the title “Creator.” If someone can tell us precisely the meaning of our existence, it would be the One who designed us, right? This verse reminds me of what Augustine said:
“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts is restless until it rests in you.”
Going back to the verse, it is also significant to emphasize the phrase, “in the days of your youth, before the evil days come.” Do you know when the best time to know the meaning of life is? It is when you are still young when you are at the peak of your strength. Obviously, the evil days he talked about is when we get older, and our bodies begin to have many aches and pains or many physical challenges and diseases.
2. Revere God
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Lastly, King Solomon concludes that all of us need to “Fear God and keep his commandments.” This concept of fearing God and obedience is inseparable. If you recognize God as the Sovereign Ruler of your life, then you would submit and obey Him. If you highlight verse 14, it presents the motivation we need to fear and obey Him –Certainty of His coming judgment. Whether we like it or not, every one of us will have to face the ultimate Judge of our lives.
As I close this sermon, we must take these two conclusions according to their order. First, you have to be connected to your creator by believing and receiving Jesus Christ in your heart. Second, walk closely with Him every single day, submitting and obeying Him. If you can do both, I can guarantee you, instead of being restless, you will find rest in Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV):
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Are you still searching for the meaning of life? Jesus alone can be your answer. Try Him, and you will never be disappointed!
-Dr. Jeremiah Lepasana