Living with Purpose - 1
Studies in the book of Ecclesiastes - Introduction
One question has dominated the minds of men and women over the generations, "What is the meaning of life?" Many wrestle with this question today. Maybe you are asking yourself, "What is life all about? Why am I here? What is the purpose of life?" These are the very questions looked at and answered in the book of Ecclesiastes. As you read through this book, you will find that the phrase "Under the Sun" is used twenty-nine times. The phrase has to do with that which is earthbound and temporal. The writer is looking at life on earth. He examines all of life's activities and challenges. He does so from two positions. First, he looks at life from the standpoint of the man or woman without God. Life is seen to be empty and futile. Second, he looks at life from the standpoint of the man or woman who knows God. He sees things from Gods perspective and life is full of meaning and purpose.
We are looking at the first eleven verses of chapter one in this study. Who wrote this book? Verse one says, "The words of the Teacher, Son of David, King of Jerusalem". The word "Teacher" translates a Hebrew word meaning: "To gather an assembly with a view to speaking to them". The Teacher has something important to say about finding purpose in life. The people gather to hear him because that is what they want to know. The writer never gives his name but we're left in no doubt about his identity. He was the Son of David, the King in Jerusalem, and a seeker after wisdom. He excelled in wisdom. He says in verse 16, "I thought to myself, 'look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me'. " Only one biblical king fits that description - Solomon. We read in 1 Kings 4 verse 30, "Solomon's wisdom was greater than all the wisdom of all the men of the east, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. " In fact, Solomon wrote three books of the Old Testament. He wrote the "Song of Songs". We believe he wrote this in his early years. Those days of romance and courtship! He wrote the book of Proverbs. Its likely he wrote this in his middle years as he grew to maturity and learned lessons about life. He wrote Ecclesiastes in his later years, when his wisdom and observations were really seasoned.
We see two things in these first eleven verses. The first thing we discover is, the definition of life without Christ. Another phrase common to this book is found in verse 2. We read, "'Meaningless! Meaningless!' says the Teacher, 'Utterly Meaningless!' Everything is meaningless. " All of life is meaningless when it is lived without reference to God. "Meaningless" has been defined by someone as, "Something without substance which quickly passes away like morning mist. " Meaninglessness comes as a result of pursuing earthly things as an end in themselves to find purpose. It always leads to frustration and a growing sense of disappointment. Solomon had proved this by personal experience. We will see this as we go through the book during the coming days. Verse three shows the tactic of the book. We read, "What does man gain from all his labour at which he toils under the Sun?". The design of Ecclesiastes is to get you to ask searching questions about your life and its direction. In all your activities, toil, and entertainments are you fulfilled? What have you gained by it? All your earthly efforts haven't filled that empty void in your life. Jesus said in John 6 verse 27, "Do not work for the food that spoils, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. " Life without Christ is just like perishable food. Nothing lasts and nothing satisfies. Christ is the answer to your deepest needs. Life finds purpose when you follow Jesus Christ.
The second thing we discover is, the depiction of life without Christ. To prove the meaninglessness of life "under the sun", Solomon directs our attention to four aspects of life in this passing world. Each highlights the futility of life. In verse four we read, "Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. " Here we see the endless round of human life with its beginning, ending, coming and going; no one lasts; everything changes. Why look for purpose and stability in such a changing world? It will never be yours because its subject to such rapid and consistent change. You need to say with the hymn-writer, "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see. Oh Thou who changest not, abide with me. " The unchanging Christ alone can give a sense of purpose in a changing and uncertain world.
Next we see the repetition of nature. In Verses 5 to 7 we read of the Sun the wind and the sea. Solomon says in verse 5, "The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurtles back to where it rises". He observes that the wind blows and goes round and round. The streams flow into the sea yet the sea is never full. Life is a constant unchanging cycle. All creation is busy. It goes so far and then no further just to repeat what it did before. Why look for purpose in something that is a never ending repetition. Something that can take you so far yet no further. Next we look at human experience. Solomon says in verse 6, "All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, or the ear its fill of hearing". For example, we hear music, it thrills us, but after a while the novelty goes and we look elsewhere. We become bored and dissatisfied. Nothing that this world offers can reach into the depths of our souls and meet our deep need for fulfilment and purpose. Only Christ the bread of life can do that.
Last we look at history. In verse 9 we read, "What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again. " We often say, "history repeats itself", and that is true. On the stage of world history the actors and the scenery change, but the storyline remains the same. Solomon says in verse 10, "Is there anything of which one can say 'look, this is something new!' It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. " Throughout history men have claimed that a new discovery, invention, or commodity will bring the satisfaction we have been looking for. But it has always failed, despite the claims made for it. It is simply something old in a new guise! Only the unchanging God of heaven can bring that ultimate sense of meaning in an empty world.
Has the bubble burst for you in life? I trust you'll seek the Lord while He may be found and find that fulfilment you are looking for in Him.