ECCLESIASTES
SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING
OF LIFE IN ECCLESIASTES
Chasing the Wind
[CHASING THE WIND]
chasin
g the wind
Paradoxians,
It is such a joy and privilege to be able to study a book of the bible with you. I am
thankful for your thirst for the Word and your passion for Jesus.
The book of Ecclesiastes is the perfect study for us in our culture, in this time (as it
is for all cultures and times as “there is nothing new under the sun”). Ecclesiastes
systematically removes each card from our delusional, man-made house of cards
until it leaves us with nothing “under the sun”. It reveals life apart from God as what
it is: meaningless, chasing the wind. Life apart from God becomes, as Kreeft put it,
“a wild-goose chase with no goose” and an “unmerry merry-go-round”.
So when we are left with nothing “under the sun” our only option is to turn our
gaze (and our hearts) “beyond the sun”. Unfortunately the noise of our footsteps
created by our meaningless pursuits of meaningless-nesses is enough to drown
out any beckoning that might slow us down enough to listen. We need silence.
Kierkgaard wrote, “If I could prescribe just one remedy for all the ills of the modern
world, I would prescribe silence. For even if the word of God were proclaimed in
our modern world, no one would hear it.” Ecclesiastes creates silence.
We will see in our pursuit for the meaning of life that we must find the fountain - the
source - of life in order to find the meaning; in order to define our purpose we must
go to the Definer to first be defined. Ecclesiastes turns life around in our hands so
that we can look closely at each facet: work, sex, money, power, justice, wisdom,
relationships, time, youth, worship, and suffering. Do they satisfy? Do they bring
joy? What is their use and purpose? And after careful examination, after creating
the necessary silence in our heart, soul, and mind, it will be clear that, “the point is
simply this...without the kind of faith in God that is larger than life and therefore
worth dying for and therefore worth living for, without a faith that means trust and
hope and love, without a lived love affair with God, life is vanity of vanities, the
shadow of a shadow, a dream within a dream” (Kreeft).
We must drink deep of the Water that satiates the thirst Ecclesiastes creates. Hear
the Word that fills the silence it provides. Feel the weight of the Glory of God that
is beyond the sun.
My hope is that when we are done we will have a deeper understanding of the
Gospel, and a passion and pursuit of Jesus that dwells deep in our church family,
for our joy and His glory.
For His Fame,
Pastor Jim
*I am thankful for Ezra Boggs’ summary of Ecclesiastes provided here and
the great work of Katie Buckel in the design of this booklet. Thank you for
serving your church family!
INTRODUCTION
Ecclesiastes: One Long Radiohead Song
Imagine the formula of any VH1 ‘Behind the Music’ episode:
(1) Young talented individual raised in an overtly disparaging environment
(2) Works three jobs while attempting to promulgate a music career believing that fame +
fortune = endless gratification
(3) Gets discovered while playing a 2AM gig while still wearing pizza delivery uniform
(4) Goes to Nashville and signs mountains of unread paperwork then records songs
(5) Recording does very well…unlimited income…unlimited friends…unlimited temptations…
unlimited issues
(6) Lifestyle continues to ascend rapidly without restraint until career implodes
(7) Individual awakens in the storage room of a pawn shop in Louisiana missing a kidney, one
leg, breathing via an oxygen tank, and unexplainable tattoos covering 51% of his epidermis
(8) Spends last handful of money on Greyhound ticket back home
(9) Reapplies for delivery position at pizzeria
…this is the sobering undertow that permeates the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Bible’s only
example of a style of Wisdom Literature of the ancient Near East called ‘pessimism
literature’ which dates as far back as 2000 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia. “Yet Ecclesiastes is ‘pessimism’ with a difference. For other ‘pessimist’ writings were bleak,
sensual and unrelieved by any note of hope. In the Dialogue of Pessimism (a Babylonian work
of the fourteenth century BC) suicide is the only answer to the problem of life. In the Epic of
Gilgamesh the god Shamash states bluntly ‘The life you pursue you shall not find’. Although
Ecclesiastes echoes ancient pessimism, it has another strand which is in marked contrast. For
it also holds forth the possibility of joy, faith and assurance of God’s goodness.”[1]
“Qoheleth (Solomon turned preacher) is pessimistic, it is true. But his pessimism is confined to
life lived ‘under the sun’. He means by that often-occurring phrase life lived for the here and
now with nothing more than worldly goals in view. He understands that life under the sun is
life lived under God’s curse with sin and all its consequences. Solomon is genuinely pessimistic
about man and his achievements, but supremely optimistic about God and His .” [2]
Ecclesiastes is from the Greek ekklesiastes meaning “assembly” or in Hebrew qohelet which
literally means “one who assembles.”
This can be interpreted as:
(1) “one who collects” wise sayings (cf. 12:9, 10)
(2) “one who addresses an assembly,”; a preacher or speaker.
The book was written in Hebrew language not normative to the Old Testament, but
a vernacular akin to that spoken among the Phoenicians and the people who originally
populated the land.
Historically, Ecclesiastes authorship is attributed to Solomon based upon internal evidence,
which identifies the author as a descendant of David, who ruled in Jerusalem (1:1), was
renowned for his wisdom (v. 16), and possessed unparalleled wealth (2:8) which he used in
extensive building projects (v. 4–6). However, some scholars have suggested that the work
is a product of post-Exilic times and Solomon was not the author. Nevertheless, these very
same individuals still assign Solomon as the central figure in the book, used as a literary
device to convey a message by an unknown author. Regardless, lack of certainty concerning
authorship does not render the work invalid or destroy the canonicity of Ecclesiastes. For the
purposes of this writing we’ll recognize the historical perspective with Solomon as the author.
Reflected on the phrase “under the sun,” Ecclesiastes is Solomon attempting to define the
value of existence, while deliberately disregarding insight provided by special revelation,
Solomon’s words throughout Ecclesiastes are limited to mere human reasoning and
demonstrate the idolatry and futility of autonomous logic where ‘clay’ attempts to define its
function within design without the guidance of the Potter.
THEMES
A great deal can be understood regarding thematic elements and author’s intent by
examining the key words and phrases in Ecclesiastes; these include:
Man appears 49 times, from the familiar Hebrew word adam (Genesis 1:26; 2:7, 19) and
references man as made from the earth (adama in the Hebrew: Genesis 2:7; 3:19).
Wisdom references appear 44 times, which is to be expected as King Solomon was the
wisest of men (1 Kings 4:31). And yet, with his vast knowledge, Solomon concluded, “Fear
God, and keep His commandments” (12:13).
God, Elohim [A masculine plural noun which designates the one true God] is found 39 times,
while the designation Yahweh never occurs. By contrast, while writing under the direction
of the Holy Spirit, Elohim appears five times in Proverbs and Yahweh [the proper covenant
name of the God of Israel; the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses] 90 times.
Thus, giving evidence that Ecclesiastes was written for a readership within as well as outside
Israel.
Evil appears 39 times, from the Hebrew word ra‛ / râ‛âh and is also translated “sore”
(1:13; 4:8), “hurt” (5:13; 8:9), “mischievous” (10:13), “grievous” (2:17), “adversity” (7:14),
“wickedness” (7:15), and “misery” (8:6). It is the opposite of “good”, conveys ‘pain / sorrow
/ hard circumstances / distress’.
Vanity appears 38 times, from the Hebrew word hevel, meaning “emptiness, futility, vapor.”
The name “Abel” probably comes from this word (Gen. 4:2). Hevel represents the temporal
nature of the twaddle that distracts us throughout a life that is measured as a vapor; it is
incorrigibly foolish to spend time worrying about that which disappears quickly, leaves
nothing behind, and does not satisfy… all are hevel, all are vanity, all are mere vapor. Labor appears 33 times, from the Hebrew word amal, meaning “to toil to the point of
exhaustion and yet experience little or no fulfillment in your work.” In modern English, it
is the federal government’s redistribution of wealth plan from hard-working, law-abiding,
tax-paying ‘rich folk’… excluding George Soros, of course.
Fools / Folly references appear 32 times, but my favorite meaning translates,” anyone who
steps into a boxing ring with Evander Holyfield and bites his ear.”
Under the sun appears 29 times with the phrase “under heaven” (1:13; 2:3; 3:1). This phrase
succinctly defines Solomon’s perspective as he leaned solely on his own understanding in
attempting to answer the greater ontological questions of life’s meaning via a limited
supply of answers only provided by the senses within the material universe. “It defines the outlook of the writer as he looks at life from a human perspective and not
necessarily from heaven’s point of view. He applies his own wisdom and experience to the
complex human situation and tries to make some sense out of life. Solomon wrote under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (12:10–11; 2 Tim. 3:16), so what he wrote was what God
wanted His people to have. But as we study, we must keep Solomon’s viewpoint in mind: he
is examining life ‘under the sun.’”[4]
Joy appears 17 times, from multiple Hebrew words, Solomon reproves readers to be
levelheaded about life, accept God’s gifts and enjoy what is present rather than carp over
all that is missing. Life is short and difficult, so make the most of it while you can.
Profit appears 10 times, from the Hebrew word yitron, used nowhere else in the Old
Testament, its basic meaning is “that which is left over.” It may be translated “profit, surplus,
advantage, gain.” And serves as the nemesis of “vanity.” Solomon asks, “What does man
gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (1:3)
RElevance
But what relevance does Ecclesiastes have for today?
The answer is twofold:
Ecclesiastes addresses topics that we still deal with every minute of every day on this sin-saturated planet. Here are just a few:
Injustice to the poor
“Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the
oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was
power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already
dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not
yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.” (4:1–3)
Today, injustice to the poor is endless given man’s depravity and willingness to apply a ‘Lord
of the Flies’ mindset. Specifically, as Christians we should be repulsed by Planned Parenthood
targeting minorities in a well-documented effort toward racial ‘cleansing’ and eugenics.
1
• Black women [12% of the female population in America] suffer 36% of all abortions.
• Latina women [13% of the female population] suffer 20% of all abortions.
• Together, they suffer 56% of all abortions yet only represent 25% of our nation’s population.
Two out of every three Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are located in Black American
neighborhoods. A new “Super Center” being built in Houston, TX is strategically positioned
right in the center of four minority neighborhoods; one is 80% Black American and the other
three average an 85% Hispanic population.
David, amazed at the detail the Lord took in creating him, declared,” For you formed my
inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
The Body of Christ MUST defend the defenseless! Materialism
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his
income; this also is vanity. (5:10)
And that was precisely what was meant from that theological bastion Notorious BIG when
he stated,” Mo Money Mo Problems”
Materialism is in the marrow of the bones of the skeletal structure that is the United States of
America…sadly. Due in large part to advertising vermin, who, no longer simply present which
products are available, but actually attach the ‘improvement’ of human ‘value’ to products.
We, the Body of Christ, then allow these same feculent spinsters to preach in our sanctuaries,
pitching Jesus as if He were merely a ‘product’ to consider when renovating your soul…
along the lines of omnipotent, immutable hardwood flooring.
It is an incalculable fool indeed who believes eternal souls, created in the image of Almighty
God, have their worth or identity defined by means of temporal, perishable, debris. As a result of the infection of materialism on the discernment of ‘self’, there remains no sense
of contentment because your ‘value’ is in a constant state of ‘upgrade’ or ‘change’. Nebbish
after pitiable nebbish running from Grunge then to Goth then to White Trash Chic then to
‘whatever’ the next flavor on the clothing rack is…
“Physical beauty is a pleasant thing, but if you ‘deify’ it, if you make it the most important
thing in a person’s life or a culture’s life, then you have Aphrodite, not just beauty. You have
people, and an entire culture, constantly agonizing over appearance, spending inordinate
amounts of time and money on it, and foolishly evaluating character on the basis of it. If
anything becomes more fundamental than God to your happiness, meaning in life, and
identity, then it is an idol.” [5] A Desire for “The Good Old Days”
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you
ask this. (7:10)
Hindsight is a liar in the providence of God.
Which is precisely ‘why’ Christ taught,” No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back
is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Guilty People Allowed to Commit More Crime
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children
of man is fully set to do evil. (8:11)
Florida, not only are your citizens unable to figure out how to correctly cast a butterfly ballot
but at least twelve of you thought it was okay for Casey Anthony to murder her daughter. I
suspect there is no stockpile of Mensa applications being mailed to the Sunshine State.
2
Ecclesiastes provides great benefit for believer’s in creating an empathic
understanding of the unbelievers hopelessness which should stir an
increased urgency to share the Gospel.
Ernest Hemingway said, “Life is a dirty trick; a short journey from nothingness to nothingness.”
And without God, Hemingway was correct; there is no ‘lamp to their feet’ or ‘light to their
path’. [Psalm 119:105]
Without God, the whole of reality, all logic, and all truth is indefinable. The unbeliever must
assess their value on the basis that the very essence of their being was brought about by
nothing more than purposeless, meaningless, hopeless, pointless, chance. Suffering, misery,
and human depravity cannot be recognized as ‘unjust’ because there is no reason, no validity,
to life in order that it may have any intrinsic value or worth whatsoever, so how can any part
be sequestered for the purpose of comfort or happiness?
Alistair Begg explains it well: “The great moral dilemma of pain and evil and suffering is
not rectified by rejecting God, it is exacerbated by rejecting God. Because with God we at
least have a point of reference, absent God the whole thing is a mess; we are without form
and void, we are purposeless and we are totally chaotic.”
Thus, the Russian art gallery owner in Phil Rosenthal’s documentary ‘Exporting Raymond’,
feels justified saying, ‘Style is more important than content.’ Why worry about ‘content’ if all
of this is meaningless?!?!?!?!
Hell, if your raison d’être is meaningless, you at least want to have a veneer that is
attractive…right?
Those ‘under the sun’ can all concur with Captain Barbossa’s ‘curse’, all saying,” For too long
I’ve been parched of thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I’ve been starving to death
and haven’t died. I feel nothing. Not the wind on my face nor the spray of the sea. Nor the
warmth of a woman’s flesh.”
Contentment is not possible ‘under the Sun’ only in Christ.
Because if ‘meaning’ in life could be purchased, Solomon had immeasurable wealth!
If influence could provide meaning, he was a king!
If sex could provide meaning, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines…which many
Detroit anthropologists believe served as the inspiration for the James Brown soul anthem
‘Sex Machine’.
And yet, with all that Solomon possessed, ‘under the sun’, void of God, it was ALL ‘meaningless’.
And this truth is essentially ‘why’, “The believer finds life more rewarding than the unbeliever.
That is not because he has more in this world with which to work; he too experiences
frustrations and every other effect of sin. But he has a way to face these problems that the
unbeliever does not. And he is looking forward to a time when the God of creation will free
this world from it s bondage to corruption and refashion it into a place of perfection. He
does not trust in the feeble, impermanent works of man to bring about perfection; he knows
that they do not. He trusts in the promises of God.[6]
By design, we are fully dependent on God at all times and in all circumstances. Ecclesiastes
is explicit as a simulacrum demonstrating from Solomon’s personal experience that all
earthly objectives and blessings, when pursued as ends in themselves, lead to discontent and
purposelessness. By austere contrast, the highest good in life lies in reverencing and obeying
God, and in enjoying life while one can.
Therefore, the believer lives with a sense of eternality that assures this life, this reality, is not
all there is!
“A prime mark of the Christian mind is that it cultivates the eternal perspective. That is to say,
it looks beyond this life to another one. It is supernaturally orientated, and brings to bear
upon earthly considerations the fact of Heaven and the fact of Hell.” - Harry Blamires
Thus, the unbeliever, crying with a painted-on smile, dwells on two pervading truths in Ecclesiastes:
1. Death is inevitable
2. Fear God
The Body of Christ is called to offer additional, redeemed and forgiven, options!
I love how Pastor Jim Essian summarizes Ecclesiastes: “It reads like one long Radiohead
song!” And Solomon would agree, after all there is ‘nothing new under the sun’ [1:9]
“In the next world war
In a jackknifed juggernaut
I am born again
In the neon sign
Scrolling up and down
I am born again
In an interstellar burst
I am back to save the universe” – Airbag, Radiohead
by Ezra Boggs
[1] Carson, D. A. - New Bible Commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed.). [Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.1994]
[2] Adams, Jay – Life under the Son: Counsel from the Book of Ecclesiastes, [Timeless Texts, 1999]
[3] Richards, L. O. - The Bible Readers Companion (Wheaton, Ill: Victor Books , 1991)
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. - Be Satisfied [Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996]
[5] Keller, Tim – Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters” [Dutton]
[6] Adams. Jay - Life under the Son: Counsel from the Book of Ecclesiastes, [Timeless Texts, 1999]
refl
ections
1:1-11
Chasing the Wind
We don’t know where we’re going
Or what we might find
Step outside the line to find the reason
Why you should care
Take the time and figure out
Exactly why you are there
Tyler Wood – “Underneath the Sun”
Do you detect a sense of “chasing the wind” in our world today among the people you
know? That is, do you see people who are frustrated, worried and uncertain concerning
what their lives are all about? People who are struggling to distraction, if not despair to
figure out the big questions of life? In what ways do you see this?
1:12-18
Wisdom is Dumb
You can write a million songs
You still can’t write your life
The Orbans – “When We Were Wild”
When have you been frustrated with knowing something needs to be fixed - even knowing
how - but found you were unable to make straight what is crooked?
2:1-11
The Morning After
People make the strangest angels
Don’t you think its true
I made love to you
And you lied to me
Yeah, its something that you’ll never know
Yeah, its something that you’ll never own
Yeah, its something that you’ll never have
A life like mine
Luke Wade and No Civilians, “Strangest Angels”
What do you enjoy more than anything else? Does the search for pleasure consume you?
Do you avoid it? Do you engage in pleasures and pursuits despite God? In spite of God? In
worship of God? How does knowing God enable a person to “eat, drink, and find enjoyment
in his toil?”
2:12-17 The Wise and the Fool in the Same Box
Nobody until you’re dead You wait for medallions Waiting on your bronzed head Writing books that should never be read Telegraph Canyon – Into the Woods
Why is being wise more wise than being a fool? Do you think you live by wisdom? In your
supposed wisdom, do you judge the fool for his folly? What foolish things irk you that people
do? How does one remain humble within their wisdom?
2:18-26
Work Sucks
Got here a month ago, been just a one-man show
Got dreams but I’ve got no plans
Stare at the city lights, can’t see the wrong or right
The whole of my life in my hands
Tyler Wood - Soon
Are you content with your work? Do you enjoy it or hate it? Would your friends or family
consider you a “workaholic”? Is your chief motivation in work do make money to survive? To
gain prestige in the sight of others? To help others? What does it look like to worship God
in your work?
3:1-15
Its Time
Now you know
That you control everything
As usual I’m stuck in the middle
And now I’m drowning
In myself again
Burning Hotels – Stuck in the Middle
What are your biggest pains and disappointments in life? How have you reacted to these?
What have you understood God’s role to be in your suffering and disappointment?
Does God ordain sin and evil? Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 suggests that in some sense he does, but
how? Scripture teaches us to distinguish between God as the ordainer and God as the doer
of sin and evil. He does ordain; he doesn’t do. Sometimes this is referred to as the efficient
cause and the instrumental cause. For example, read the following passages: Job 1:6-12
and Acts 2:22- 24. In what way is God the ordainer but not the doer?
What can we take joy in now? What gifts has God given you that you can enjoy today?
3:16-4:3
Injustice and the Gift of Death
I’ve seen the last of my defense
I have seen the weight of the world
Heavy like a tyrant Just trying to say bye
To the only thing he learned
So come and lay now in the dirt
The Orbans – “When We Were Wild”
What examples do you see in today’s world of “wickedness in the place of righteousness” and
“the tears of the oppressed?” Have you seen some of this in your own life? Read Revelation
20:11-15, which describes it in more explicit detail. Does the prospect of judgment after
death comfort you, frighten you, or both?
4:4-16
Bowling Alone
And today’s friends are tomorrows ghosts
Tomorrows lovers are today unknowns Luke Wade and No Civilians – Ghost on a Wire
Are your current relationships healthy? Destructive? Nurturing? Suspicious? Trusting? How
important are relationships to you? Are you a loner? Social? Are you a jealous person?
Easily offended? Indifferent? How does your relationship Jesus “flavor” your relationships
with others?
5:1-7
A Fearful God
Can you kneel before the king and say
‘I’m clean’, ‘I’m clean’?
Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life
Mumford and Sons – White Blank Page
Have you ever discovered something about God that surprised you or bothered you? How
did you learn it? How did you react? How does God use “troubling truth” to mold us into
true worshippers?
Many people think they are worshipping God when they’re really worshipping their own
thoughts about God. So how do you know if you’ve encountered God as he really is?
Read about the Prophet Isaiah’s experience in Isaiah 6:1-7. How did he react to his vision
of God? What changed in him? Was God pleased with his response? How does this
challenge and comfort you?
5:8-6:9
A Lot of Nothing
Run further for your prize
But you won’t win your life
You’ll find when you’re done
That you’re still under the sun
Tyler Wood – “Underneath the Sun”
What would contentment look like for you? When it comes to possessions and all the nice
things money can buy, how much is enough for you? If you have extra money, how do you
manage it in order to be free from the love of money and gain eternal pleasure?
6:10-7:14
The Good Bad
I will hold to what’s true
Cause this life ain’t over
Its just long overdue
The world it bullies me, tells me I can’t see
What is going on, well its probably right
Tyler Wood – Long Overdue
Think about the times you felt closest to God.Were they when things were great or difficult?
7:15-29 Let Me Learn By Paradox
But you rip it from my hands
And you swear it’s all gone
And you rip out all I have
Just to say that you’ve won
Well now you’ve won
Mumford and Sons – I Gave You All
What does it mean to be “overly righteous”? Are you? Why do you think it is so easy for us
to have a higher opinion of ourselves than we should? What are some of the motivations that
lie behind this? Has there been a time in your life when you were overwhelmed by someone’s
sin against you? Does it help to remember that you have also sinned against others?
8:1-17
Wisdom and Fear
Can’t always find your way
Always find our way
But we are here to love
And we are loved here
Green River Ordinance - Outside
What authorities, bosses, or governments frustrate you?
How does fearing God connect with enjoying life?
9:1-12
Death Frames Life
It’s a common situation
But its lacking stimulation
We could use some inspiration
Frankly I’m kind of bored
Tyler Wood – The Boxed Kind
Does your perspective on life cultivate an enjoyment of it? Would you consider yourself
controlling? Does that hinder joy and enjoyment or aid in it?
9:13-10:20
Don’t Be An Idiot
But hold on to what you believe in the light
When the darkness has robbed you of all your sight
Mumford and Sons – Hold Onto What You Believe
This city breathes the plague of loving things more than their creators.
Who are the most influential voices in your life; either personal friends or authors, teachers,
talk-show hosts, etc? Do these voices consistently point you to Jesus and help you know him
better? Does their advice have a track record of helping you live more wisely?
11:1-6
Risk-Taking
Maybe I’m down to my last dollar
I’m weak in the knees and soft in the holler
I found a place where we can go
little piece of land
Where the west wind blows
Where the west wind blows
Lets get lost with no direction
35 head south for Texas
Green River Ordinance – Where the West Wind Blows
Are you more of a cautious person or more of a risk taker? Think of a few examples. How
might God be calling you to change? If you tend toward caution, how would the gospel
challenge you to take more risks?
11:7-12:8 23-Year-Old Adolescents
Give me time give me space
after all the years here
so they says we’ve lost our way
remember back when we were young
it was easier to love
now we are fallin
I don’t wanna spend my life runnin scared of what we’ve become
It’s never what they told ya I guess we’re gettin older
I don’t spend my life waiting watchin while we all keep changin
I guess we’re getting older I guess we’re getting older
Green River Ordinance – Getting Older
When you’re 60, what will you most regret about your past five years? Where do you need
to remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body? Do you give much
consideration to the fact that you’ll be judged by God?
12:9-14
The End of the Matter
It seems as if all my bridges have been burned,
You say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive at the restart
Mumford and Sons – Roll Away Your Stone
Looking back through the many hard truths of Ecclesiastes, which do you find most difficult
to swallow? Which have stung the most going in? What is God teaching you through these
truths? Goads and nails are also anticipated in Jesus’ teaching, “Take up your cross and follow me.”
Where is Jesus calling you to follow him even though it’s painful, difficult, inconvenient, or confusing?
“We want to complexify our lives. We want to be harried, hassled, and busy. For
if we had leisure, we would look at ourselves and listen to our hearts and see the
great gaping hole and be terrified, because that hole is so big that nothing but God
can fill it” – Peter Kreeft
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man” – King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 12:13
ECCLESIASTES
Chasing the Wind