Recently, we had a Sunday class on the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is part of the OT wisdom literature. There is a lot of teaching in this book, but to the Western mindset, it seems a bit fragmented and contradictory. But if we keep digging deeper, we begin to see that there are valuable “Jewels” to be found.
The most profound teaching is in the opening chapter where the Preacher/Teacher tells us that all is vanity or fleeting. The word is “hevel” and it tries to picture something really tangible and real- like a cloud- yet when you try to grasp it, it is but a vapor. It appears to be so real, yet it disappears in one’s grasp. So life is for us in this existence. Our goals, pursuits, successes… they seem so real and so permanent, yet are fleeting and temporary.
In our class, we had an assignment to bring tangible items that would illustrate this fleeting value. We brought trophies, plaques, degrees, bricks from “forever” houses, pictures, trip albums, etc. We all agreed that these seemed to be permanent and tangible, yet as life progressed, we saw that they were but a vapor.
Chapter 12 reminds us that life is not easy. It is not easy to live or to understand. But it is simple. It is basic. Get rid of all the verbiage of life and you have the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep His commandment- this is the simple directive. Give Him His rightful place. Worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Love Him with your whole heart and soul and do what He says. Life indeed is simple. In between those two “pieces of bread” is the meat and condiments of wisdom.
Life is in the hands of God and He will determine final things, not us. Enjoy your life as you are able, it is a gift from God. Life is unpredictable, but it is in God’s hands. Everything can be beautiful in its time. God has dignified time and has given it meaning. The love of money nor pleasure nor successes do not satisfy. Sorrow is a better teacher than happiness. When you make a vow…. you better keep it. When you come to worship, listen more and speak less.
Ecclesiastes has been a challenging book to go through, yet has brought fresh humility and meaning to all who were in the class. We were reminded, our times are in God’s hands. (9:1)
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
