Two great lessons from Ecclesiastes

Solomon was a fascinating person. His father David built a great empire. Solomon enjoyed peace. He also controlled the major trade routes. Wealth and power flowed into his life. Gold was plentiful and the silver was not even considered valuable (2 Chronicles 9:20).

In his early years Solomon wrote Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. In his middle years he drifted away from God. In his latter years he wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. His goal was to find the meaning of life. He had the motive, the means and the opportunity to do anything he wanted. Solomon eventually repented and ended well. The Book of Ecclesiastes is his final work. Ecclesiastes teaches us two great lessons.

The first great lesson is that life is a gift. Solomon discovered that life is a gift from God. He said, “Rejoice, oh young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (11:9). Solomon wrote, “There is nothing better for a person than he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil” (2:24).

Life is a precious gift from God. As Alaskans we understand that life is a gift. Springtime in Alaska is a great time. The leaves are coming out. The grass is turning green. The swans and cranes have returned. Life is a gift.

The second lesson is that life is limited. Even though life is a gift, life is also limited. We live in a fallen world- not a perfect world! Solomon gave many examples to prove that this life is limited.

A person builds a business or an empire or wealth but then dies and leaves it to someone else. The person who follows may be wise or unwise. Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 states, “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, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?”

Justice is limited in this world. There is precious little justice this side of eternity. “Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness” (3:16).

Life is limited in that there is no guarantee of success. Solomon was the greatest businessman who ever lived. He said, “Again I saw that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all” (9:11). A person can work hard, have a great plan and be diligent but there are no guarantees in this life.

Eventually we all grow old and die. Solomon said, “…when the keepers of the house tremble (the legs), and the strong men are bent (the back), and the grinders cease because they are few (teeth), and those who look through the windows are dimmed (the eyes), and the doors on the street are shut (the ears)…” (12:1). Many years ago my grandmother said to me, “Enjoy your youth while you have it.” I thought, “Grandma, I’ll always have this.” Youth is fleeting!

This life is a gift. It is wonderful to be alive. We have the opportunity to serve God. Solomon- the richest man who ever lived- gave the greatest investment advice. He said, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days (11:1).” The picture is a business person launching a ship. Just because the ship is launched to buy and sell a profit is not guaranteed. However, if there is no ship launched there will be no profit. He also said, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth” (11:2). Take a risk and diversify!

As Alaskans we understand that life is limited. The weather is challenging. The price of oil goes up and down. We live far from relatives.

Life is a gift but life is also limited. We live in a world filled with sin. As Christians we do not focus upon this life. We understand that a better world is coming. Abraham looked for a city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). Abraham focused on the New Jerusalem- the capital city of heaven.

Life is a gift. Jesus became the God-Man. He became one of us. He attended weddings. He celebrated. He enjoyed life. But Jesus also came to do what we could never do. He came to deliver us from this sinful world. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake God made Him (Jesus) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Salvation is not earned. It is credited. It is the finished work of Christ credited to our lives. God is good. Life is a precious gift to be enjoyed. However, true fulfillment and happiness are not found in this world. May the limitations of this life drive you and me to the Person of Jesus!

Ethan Hansen is the pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.