Friday, January 7, 2011

Ecclesiastes Chapters 1-3

1:2 - Verse two says it all - this is gonna be one depressing ride! Isn't this a really uplifting way to start out a book? Solomon has come to the conclusion that all that exists for man is meaningless vanity, and he is going to tell us why he came to that conclusion. There is actually alot that current day Christians can learn from Ecclesiastes because his words about the vanity of selfish human existence are often true for our own lives.

1:6-7 - Solomon speaks of the currents of the wind as if he understands that the earth is round and seems to have knowledge of the evaporative cycle of water...pretty impressive understanding of nature in ancient times. You don't get to be the wisest guy ever without learning some pretty revolutionary stuff I'd wager.

1:18 - Not that I am overly wise, but I understand what Solomon is talking about here. Over the years as I have grown in spiritual maturity and wisdom (Still have a LONG way to go), I have found that what those things really bring me is a better understanding of my own ignorance and brokenness. The closer I get to God, the more clarity I have with regards to how far below God I actually am. To Solomon this is a bad thing, but through the lens of the Gospel, the concept only makes me more thankful of God's grace.

2:13 and 15 - Solomon can see that it is clearly better to seek wisdom than it is to seek folly...I think we can all agree with him there. But he is confused and frustrated because he sees that even if people have wisdom, they still fall prey to the pain and suffering that exists in the world. Solomon is wondering...what is the point of seeking wisdom if all people end up in the same depressing calamities brought on by this world? How is that for a fun thought to start out the day? Fortunately, Christians today have an understanding of the way the world works that Solomon had not been granted...we know that this life is not the end all. Read Philippians chapter one. Paul is indifferent to death and suffering because he knows that he is just passing through this world and Jesus waits on the other side.

2:17 - Solomon is bitter about what his wisdom is bringing him and he choose in his frustration to hate life...yet he is going through exactly what God wanted people to experience - we are broken...we cannot save ourselves...we cannot make life meaningful on our own...there has to be more. It is all about God - all is meaningless vanity outside of him.

3:11 - I love this line - God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. I believe this is part of what it means that we were created in the image of God. We know what we were made for...deep in the core of who we are...we know we were made to be with God eternally. Our souls are crying out for this connection, but the sin of humanity has separated us and we cannot fully experience the fullness of eternity...yet. Thanks be to God for the gift of Jesus Christ!

3:15 - God's plan never changes...He is working to bring all people back into relationship with Him...He seeks out what has been driven away. What does that mean? I think it means that God is working to renew the union with man that existed before sin drove us out of His presence.

3:22 - Solomon determines that man exists only to find joy in the toil of his life...the things he can do. But unfortunately, caring only for your earthly work is sheer futility...it means nothing when you are gone. Being totaly caught up in the things of this world and success by the world's standards will only lead to emptiness and meaninglessness in life. Solomon asks - who can bring us to see what comes after life? You know who can? Jesus. He can from eternity to live a life and offer us hope for the future. He came to show us that the things we do for the kingdom of God actually matter in eternity and that we do have a purpose and we do have a future.

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