Wow! The older I get, the more I understand Ecclesiastes! Today’s reading took me through the first six chapters and, oh, the curse of vanity that Solomon discovered.
Solomon set out to try it all and was very successful. He says in Ecclesiastes 2:8, …I had everything a man could desire (NLT). He had wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and political power. He even enjoyed hard work. Yet, he found it all to be empty when they were the pursuit and purpose of life. As Solomon’s wisdom increased, so did his grief and sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18). The more he indulged in pleasure, the more he concluded there was nothing worthwhile anywhere (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11). When he threw himself into his work, he found only more pain, grief, and stress, and his mind couldn’t rest at night (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23). Politics were fickle at best—massively disappointing (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16). Oh, and on wealth, Solomon was quite blunt. We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. (Ecclesiastes 5:15, NLT)
Did Solomon notice anything good in life? He sounds so depressed! Yes! Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. … God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. (Ecclesiastes 5:18, 20, NLT) In short, contentment is not vain and empty. True contentment comes from God, who alone truly satisfies the heart and soul of man amidst the vanity of life. Everything else is a wearying chase to nowhere!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ecclesiastes 1-6.