Greg Chandler
05/12/15
The book of Ecclesiastes is a depressing journey through a grand experiment on life. Quohelet (the Preacher) elaborately detailed his journey “under the sun” as he sought to find joy in the absence of God. The second chapter of the book records his efforts to find happiness in pleasure, building projects, hedonism, and wealth, with each pursuit leading to the same outcome: “And behold, all was vanity and striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (vs. 11b). When all was said and done, his basic conclusion was that God has put creation on a “hamster wheel of life,” and no one can change what God has established. Chief among the complaints offered by Quohelet concerning this hamster wheel of life was the matter of death. Despite living a life of wisdom, he determined that death will come to the wise man in the same manner that it will come to an animal: “For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity” (3:19). Because of this, he advised the young to live everyday of life, always cognizant that the days of youth are fleeting and that death will surely come to all (see 12:1-7). Indeed, he ended his story as it began; “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity” (12:8).
As the book’s author drew lessons from Quohelet’s story, he advised his son to pay attention to the wisdom found it. He also reminded his son that, in reading the story, he could learn lessons that do not have to be duplicated to be authenticated: “My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (12:12). Finally, drawing to the grand conclusion of the book, the writer recorded the true way to happiness: “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (12:13). “Under the sun” living can never produce what can only be found in God, no matter how grand or elaborate the experiment.
It is often hard for Christians to fully appreciate Quohelet’s experiment for the simple reason that the “rest of the story” has been revealed. As one sloughs through his sad story, the phrase “but as Christians” is always present and ready to respond to the conclusions of a man who tried to find happiness without God. This is because another story is given through the life and work of Jesus Christ, this time perfectly illustrating how to find happiness on the hamster wheel of life. In Him, one learns how to live under the sun while serving the One who rises above it.
One of the problems that plagued Quohelet on his journey was the uncertainty of the future. Using hunting terms, he stated, “For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them” (9:12). In Christ, however, this is not a problem since His followers very much know what the future holds: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-2). While death makes no distinction of persons, and the wise man’s death is no different than that of the fool, what follows death is a future as sure and certain as the loving promise of the Savior.
With the knowledge of a certain future, the Christian can enjoy the time spent in this life. Realizing that “time and chance” happen (9:11), the follower of Christ lives every day with the assurance that all is under God’s control. While bad days occur and tragedies take their toll on mankind, including Christians, the faithful follower of Christ trusts that all will work out for the best: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The apostle is not saying that every event in life should be dissected to determine how it fits into the plan of God; he is saying that, despite the events of life under the sun, God has everything under control and is making sure that His followers will one day enjoy their assured future with Him. This promise makes life bearable, giving the ability to smile through the tears and enjoy each precious day given by the Lord.
While the Christian may not be able to fully understand every dilemma described in Ecclesiastes, the conclusion of the book is shared by all who have given their lives to Jesus. With the writer, there is understanding that fearing God and keeping His commandments are essential to fulfilling the real duty and responsibility given to mankind. Whereas many under the sun citizens never look up to see their Lord, those who know Him understand that the successful fulfillment of His commands makes them a little more like their Savior. Paraphrasing the Apostle Peter, they seek to be holy as their Savior is holy. What a great blessing mankind has been given in treading the hamster wheel of life, knowing that there is so much more waiting than what life under the sun seems to promise. Far from vanity, the Lord has given great insight into living above the sun with Jesus Christ.