There is nothing on this earth that will satisfy us completely
Meaninglessness of all worldly things
All of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes.1:14; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 4:4; 4:16; 6:9..
Book of Ecclesiastes is written by a son of David, King in Jerusalem. 1:1. It is assumed that it could be King Solomon, though his name is not mentioned in the book. He mentioned about him in 1:12-16; 2:4-9 and in other passages.
King Solomon was the most wisest person in his life time, known for his knowledge, wealth, fame,…(1 Kings.10:14-29)
It seems, towards the end of his life, he analyzed the benefit of everything and come to the conclusion that trying to satisfy the cravings of our life is meaningless. In Ecc. 1:2 itself, he repeats the word meaningless 4 times and it is repeated 35 times in this book. He says going after the things of this world is like chasing of wind to capture it. We know that, we can’t capture wind in our hands. This world will never satisfy us. Only when based on God and his word is life worthwhile.
Wisdom is meaningless 1:12-16.
Pleasures are meaningless 2:1-11.
Wisdom and folly are meaningless. 2:13-16.
Toil is meaningless. 2:17-26.
Advancement is meaningless. 5:13-16.
Riches are meaningless. 5:8-20.
Today, if we look around, almost all are toiling day and night to gain the above mentioned things.
Whatever one earned with toiling need to be left behind . ..I must leave them to the one who comes after me.And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?.. 2:18,19.
..All come from dust, and to dust all return. 3:20.
Naked a man comes from his mothers womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. 5:15.
The King comes to the conclusion And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor… 4:4.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. 5:10.
King Solomon realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him.. 5:18.
Are we also people who are chasing after the wind?
Are we content with our life today and enjoying what God has provided for us?
Do we know that we will leave this world empty handed? It could be even today? Do we remember our great grandparents who toiled for us? Do our great grandchildren remember us? See 1:4;1:11
May GOD help each of us to lead a Christ centered, useful and contented life today.
Rev.C.V.Abraham.
Ecclesiastes 1: 2 “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity”
Solomon shared various experiences he had during his life through out Ecclesiastes
It teaches us that all the places we look for meaning… are meaningless without God.
Ecclesiastes opens with the well-known refrain “Vanity of vanities”.
This word “vanity” appears 37 times throughout Ecclesiastes.
The word vanity as Solomon spoke,…
…. can be translated as, “emptiness,” “futility,” “meaningless,” or “nothingness.”
Solomon was saying, “There is nothing on this earth that will satisfy us completely: no thing, no pleasure, or no relationship.”
King Solomon was asking many questions to motivate, to discover and to accept the ways of God.
His 1st question:-
“What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?”
This question was revisited many times. .
The Bible is asking the same to us today,
“What do we gain from all our labors at which we work hard under the sun?
This world is concerned about many things, many of which are not important for a christian.
The wages of sin are vain.
Prideful wisdom is vain.
Beautifying the flesh is vain.
Love of money is vain.
Foolish desires of youth can be vain.
Ungodly wisdom of judges are vain.
False religion is vain.
Philosophies of men are vain.
Religion without Christ is vain.
seeking a long life.
As Christians, we need to be concerned about the priorities in our life.
It is certainly not wrong to enjoy the lawful things of this earth, but…. it is important for us to keep in mind that they are temporary, not eternal; so our primary focus should be on eternity – living for the Lord.
True enjoyment comes when we align ourselves with His will.
Any other way is meaningless.
Therefore, ……
.. we should devote as much time and energy as possible to the things that are eternal:
………… things that will last forever.
Fearing God and keeping His commandments are the highest order of business for the child of God today.
Jooley Mathew Z
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