<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Concluding Thoughts People have often searched for the meaning of life. From philosopher to the common man they have asked questions like: "Why am I here?" or "What is my purpose for life?" Presuming there is no God nor life after death, many have concluded there is no purpose for living, and fallen into despair or hedonism. But a search that begins with wrong assumptions invariably leads to wrong conclusions. If what we see in this life is all there is, then truly "vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" The Preacher, with his personal experiences and God-given wisdom, has demonstrated that, yes, life from an earthly perspective alone ("life under the sun") is truly vanity! But he has also declared that by fearing God and keeping His commandments one can endure the many vanities and perplexities of life, all the while enjoying the good things in life that God give us! As expressed by the Preacher himself: "What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied." "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." "I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 May we like the Preacher, then, continue to seek out "acceptable words", "words of truth" (12:10) that will serve as goads to direct us, and as well-driven nails with which to build our lives. Especially those truths from Jesus, who has come and spoken words designed to help us weather the storms of life: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:" "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25 With the help of the Preacher and the Savior, we can find meaning and hope in this vain world in which we live!<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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