What’s interesting is that the king - likely King Solomon - reigned in Israel during some of the best years in its history.
From the world’s standards, he had more power, prestige, and wealth than any other person before him. Yet, still, he summarised his luxuries with one depressing word: Meaningless!
“Everything is meaningless!” (Ecc.1:2).
“Everything is wearisome beyond description.” (Ecc.1:8).
“Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (Ecc.1:9).
“I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecc.1:14).
Though written thousands of years ago, this bleak analysis still resonates with our own restless yearning for more.
We want more than meaningless stuff. We want more than surface-level connections and ambitions. We want more than a seemingly thriving, yet secretly unsatisfied life.
We want more - but what we want doesn’t typically satisfy us.
Like the author of Ecclesiastes, we might find ourselves asking: “What is the point of life?”.
By the end of the book, ‘the teacher’ has tried to find meaning in everything under the sun, and he concludes his reflections with these powerful words:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecc.12:13).
We can chase after everything this world has to offer, and it might bring temporary pleasure.
But in the end, pursuing those things apart from God will always leave us empty.
The great news is, there’s a God in Heaven who created and loves us, and He understands what we really need.
He knows that life is best when we follow His design for life. He is worthy of our awe, our honour, and our worship.
So, fear (respect) God and keep His commandments. Love Him with everything in you and love your neighbour as yourself.
That is the point. Only then will life no longer be meaningless.
– Contributed by Bruce Driver from St Andrew’s Uniting Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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