Everything is Meaningless

“Everything is meaningless.” A quick read through the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible is not particularly uplifting. Even a more careful reading doesn’t offer a lot of encouragement. A few years ago Bob Hostetler wrote a book about Ecclesiastes. His title says it all. “Life Stinks . . . And Then You Die.”

If one only looks at the chaos of this world, life can seem meaningless.

Nevertheless, Ecclesiastes does give us some valuable insight. Solomon wrote it at the end of his life. Solomon started well. When he became king, he asked God for wisdom to rule God’s people. 1 Kings 3:3 tells us he loved the Lord. God blessed Solomon with great wisdom, riches and power.

But then, Solomon compromised. Instead of wholeheartedly seeking God, he sought the things of this world. Deuteronomy 17 records God’s instructions for the king. The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself . . . The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself (Verses16-17). Solomon did all three. He had thousands of horses. He had a thousand wives. He accumulated vast wealth.

Solomon, with tremendous riches and wisdom, lived much of his life for himself, without regard for God. His foreign wives turned his heart to other gods. With the opportunities available to him, he could do anything he desired. He tried it all. Other kings sought him for his wisdom. He had great knowledge of plants, animals and birds. He wrote thousands of songs and proverbs. He didn’t deny himself anything. He searched for knowledge. He enjoyed his wealth and fame.

Then, after trying everything this world has to offer, he concluded, “Everything is meaningless.” He repeats the phrase throughout his book of Ecclesiastes. But he also repeats another phrase, “Under the sun.” Under the sun refers to life in this world, without regard to what is beyond. The things of this world only offer temporary satisfaction. The point is clear. No matter how much of the world’s stuff one may accumulate, a life lived apart from God is meaningless. Solomon counsels us to remember our Creator. Life is finite. While we have life, we can thank God for His gifts, and enjoy what He provides. But at the end of life, whatever remains of all the stuff one has collected, it is all left to someone else. It has no eternal value. God put eternity in our hearts so we would seek Him and His ways. He wants us to understand what is truly valuable.

God’s purpose for us is to know Him and to spend eternity with Him. Eternal life is to know the one true God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent (John 17:3). It is to enjoy purpose now and have hope for all eternity. God wants us to live with an eternal perspective. Whatever this world offers, good or bad, is temporary.

Another writer, Robert J. Morgan, gives an added insight. “For Christians, problems are always temporary and blessings always eternal (as opposed to non-Christians, whose blessings are temporal and whose problems are eternal).”

Knowing Jesus gives life purpose and meaning, even when sorrow is present. Apart from Him, life is empty and meaningless.

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

 

Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT

 

How has your relationship to God shown you meaning and purpose? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

Copyright 2024 Phyllis L. Farringer

Image by Esi Grünhagen from Pixabay