Living with Purpose - 7
Studies in the book of Ecclesiastes - Chapter 6
We look this time at chapter 6 of the book of Ecclesiastes. This chapter begins the third of Solomon's four sermons. It takes us from chapter 6 verse 1 to chapter 8 verse 13. Again Solomon follows his familiar pattern of contrasting the outlook of the unsaved with that of the believer. This sixth chapter highlights some reasons why the unsaved person, who does not love and serve God, is foolish for looking to this world for his satisfaction and fulfilment. Solomon calls this an evil. He says in verse 1, "I have seen another evil under the sun. " Anything that distracts you from knowing and serving God is an evil thing because it is robbing you of the best thing in life. There is nothing better than fellowship with God.
The first reason is the suddenness of death. Solomon's days were days of peace and prosperity for Israel. This brought plenty of money and possessions. Men and women were living for their own comfort. They sought after pleasure. Many had all their hearts desired. Solomon mentions one man like that. He says in verse 2, "God gives a man wealth, possessions, and honour, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. " Our life and times are determined by God. He sustains us every day. The reason the man does not enjoy his possessions is that he suddenly dies. Therefore, others take them for themselves. God brings his days to an end. That is God’s prerogative as the giver and sustainer of life. Your death can take place at any time. Life is fragile. Do not assume you have got tomorrow. Jesus told the story of a rich man. The rich man thought he was here for ever! He said in Luke 12 verse 19, "And I'll say to myself, 'you have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry'. " But listen to what God said to him. We read in verse 20, "God said 'you fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you'. " Material possessions will not stop death when it comes. Riches do not guarantee a long life. The problem with a materialistic attitude is that it leads to a false sense of security. How foolish indeed to live for the things of this passing world, and to be unprepared for death and meeting your maker.
The second reason why it is foolish to look to the world for contentment is because of the emptiness it brings. The man before us lives for his possessions. His life is pictured in a very sobering way. He is likened to a still born child. Verse 3 says, "I say that a stillborn child is better off than he is. " The still born child is dead. He never sees light. Verse 4 says, "It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. " There is nothing but darkness and disappointment. So it is with you if you leave the Lord out of your life. You are dead in sin. You are in spiritual darkness. You have no life because real life is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In reality, the still born child is better off than you are. He has never had to experience the toil and aggravation of living in this world, with all its disappointments and problems! He has only ever known rest. Whereas, with all your possessions you have experienced sadness and emptiness. It is important to note here that stillborn children are at rest. Have you lost a child in infancy? Maybe you have wondered whether your child is in heaven. The answer is yes! He or she is at rest in the arms of Jesus!
The lifestyle of the unsaved person is shown in verse 7. We read, "All man's efforts are for his mouth. " The unbeliever lives for himself. His main concern is for the comfort of the body and selfish satisfaction. But does this bring fulfilment? The verse goes on to say, "Yet his appetite is never satisfied. " I know that the world has failed to bring you deep contentment. How do I know? Because you are constantly looking for new things to fulfil your life. Verse 9 calls this the "roving of the appetite". You are never satisfied with what you have got. You are constantly looking for more. There is an emptiness in your heart because the pleasures of the world fail you every time. Listen to what God says to you in Isaiah 55 verses 1 to 3, "Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come and buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live. " Need I say more about where true fulfilment and contentment can be found?
The third reason why it is foolish to look to the world, and not God, for fulfilment and meaning, is your mortality. Verse 10 says, "What man is has been made known. " The nature of man has been made known in Genesis 2 verse 7. We read, "And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground. " We are frail creatures made by God’s almighty hand! God is stronger than we are. Verse 10 says, "No one can contend with one who is stronger than he is. " The sinner attempts to contend with God. You think you know better than God. You believe that in increasing your possessions you will find real joy and peace, but it eludes you. All you experience is an increasing lack of fulfilment. Stop contending with God. Submit to his wisdom. Let Him direct and control your life. He knows what makes us tick! He knows how to give meaning to life. We are mortal and frail as dust. He is the sovereign, all powerful Lord of the universe. Give Him the reins of your life, and find true satisfaction in following God’s will.
The last reason why it is foolish to look to the world for meaning, is the brevity of life. Verse 12 says, "For who knows what is good for man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow?" We do not know what is around the next corner. We need to be sure we have the right resources to cope with the changing experience of life. The best resources are those that are found in the Lord. He can equip us so that we can deal with every contingency. A well known Bible teacher, H C Leupold put it like this, "What the next turn in the road will bring is completely hidden from man. Why then make extensive preparations along one line, like amassing riches, if a man has no knowledge as to whether that will happen to be the thing he should really have acquired? He may later require patience, but laid up a stock of gold. He may require strength of character, but all he has is a strong fortune. His particular situation may call for Christian hope, but his hope is built on uncertain riches. Such a situation is downright calamity. " So, look to the Lord as your guide through life. You will be rich indeed as you do!