November 30, 2020
The title of the book in the Old Testament we refer to as Ecclesiastes comes from the Septuagint (LXX) which uses the Greek word ekklesiastes. The word means “preacher” and refers to the one who gathers an assembly of people and speaks to them. Solomon is accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes by most scholars. In the first verse he refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Additionally, he says he is, “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12), and “besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge.” (12:9). Solomon was known as the son of King David (1 Kings 3), the third king over the united kingdom of Israel, and for unmatched wisdom in the land (1:16). The book can be dated around 930 B.C. because it was most likely composed in Solomon’s latter years.
Even though Solomon did not initially ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, God granted both. However, even though he knew better, he acted foolishly by taking many wives and worshipping other gods. He became selfish and apathetic towards God. Ecclesiastes is autobiographical as the old king reflects on his many foolish decisions and empty pursuits. He concludes that life without God and the pursuit of pleasure is all “vanity.” He warns subsequent generations to avoid the same mistakes he made and that a life lived without God is futile and meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 6
1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?
7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- Much of what Solomon writes here is exaggerated and not necessarily meant to be taken literally. God works in ways that can be a mystery to us, and when there are times of plenty or times of famine, God has his purposes for everything in life.
- If a person gains great wealth and prestige in life, yet without a mind and heart for God, then it would be better to have never been born. To spend one’s life on selfish pursuits and comes to the end of life with no one to mourn you, it is empty and meaningless. Consider the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21, “And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops. ‘Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
- What do you do to make sure you are always passionately pursuing God?
Prayer: Lord, I want to know you and to live by the Spirit and not the flesh. My heart seeks intimacy and closeness with you. As I draw close to you Heavenly Father, draw close to me as you promise in your word (James 4:8). In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Fathe,
Help me be content in what I have and compare myself with noone for it is just vanity. I want to store up riches in heaven not here on earth where they will not last. Guide me in all I do and keep close by my side. I want to live a life pleasing in your sight. Help me, I pray. In Jesus ‘ name. Amen.
While I was assigned to the Refineria Panama, I lamented the fact that I had never won a trophy for anything. Then God reminded of how He has worked in the lives of my 4 children. So I started a scrapbook of the accomplishments of them called Trofeos de Oro, Trophies of Gold. Over the years, I have a career missionary son, a son who was the pastor of a large church, a career missionary nephew, a journeyman missionary granddaughter and grandchildren in college who have a deep desire to serve in missions. What better trophies can a grandpa desire? Real gold that lasts for eternity.
My soul is satisfied and lacks nothing. God gives me all that I need.
AMEN. DEAR LORD I AM HAPPY WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE V
GIVEN ME. YOU Have answered all my prayers,and given me all my blessings. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
My father, my brother, my husband, my oldest daughter, and my mother are all in Heaven with God. All are missed daily. My soul and my heart rest with my Lord and Savior. I would like to be more active in my church, but COVID keeps that from happening. However, my prayer life is RICH. I pray most of the time and enjoy my grandchildren and my daughter and son-in-law. I enjoy online church and the small fellowship that brings. Blessings to all of us.
Lord, I pray I will be more sensitive and obedient to your Spirit leading me. I pray my pursuits will not be my own shortsighted vain ones, but that I would pursue your presence, experience your love for me daily, so that I can love others where they are in that moment.