Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Let's Get REAL About Life!

"God controls all that happens in His world, every meal, every pleasure, every possession, every bit of sun, every night’s sleep, every moment of health and safety, everything that sustains and enriches life, is a divine gift. And how abundant these gifts are!"  -J.I Packer, Knowing God, p. 147

Ecclesiastes is a book that talks about life with and without God. The author tried all kinds of things to amuse, entertain, and improve himself, and finally came to the conclusion that God is the only One who gives any meaning to life. 

Ecclesiastes is unlike any other Old Testament book and has no parallel in other literature of the Biblical world. It is a philosophical discourse, and yet it is more. Ecclesiastes makes no claim to bring man a word from God. Instead the writer specifically states that he includes only what he can determine by his own reason and limits himself to data that is available "under the sun." (The doctrine of inspiration, however, assures us that this book conveys the message that God intended that we should receive, but it does not guarantee that all of Solomon's statements are accurate!)

It does not dwell on the covenant, the election of Israel, redemption, prophecy, sacred history, or the temple. Its focus is on man the creature, his life on earth, and the inscrutability of God and His ways. Ecclesiastes goes beyond the other wisdom literature to emphasize the fact that human life and human goals, as ends in themselves and apart from God, are futile and meaningless.

Solomon wrote Proverbs from the viewpoint of a wise teacher, and Song of Songs from the viewpoint of a royal lover,  but when he wrote Ecclesiastes, he called himself "the Preacher." The Hebrew title is Koheleth, and it is the title given to an official speaker who calls an assembly. The Greek word for "assembly" is ekklhsia, ekklesia, and thus the Septuagint version gives us the English title of the book, Ecclesiastes.

But the Preacher did more than call an assembly and give an oration. The word Koheleth carries with it the idea of debating, not so much with the listeners as with himself. He would present a topic, discuss it from many viewpoints, and then come to a practical conclusion.

Among other things, Solomon saw injustice to the poor, crooked politics, incompetent leaders, guilty people allowed to commit more crimes, materialism, and a desire for "the good old days."  It sounds relevant for us, too, doesn't it?

In spite of his painful encounters with the world and its problems, Solomon does not recommend either pessimism or cynicism. Rather, he admonishes us to be realistic about life, accept God's gifts and enjoy them. After all, God gives to us "richly all things to enjoy.

He also learned that wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory of God. Though man's wisdom couldn't explain everything, Solomon concluded that it was better to follow God's wisdom than to practice man's folly.

And as for the certainty of death, there is no way to escape it; it ought to motivate us to enjoy life now and make the most of the opportunities God gives us.

So he asks his listeners to look up, look within,  look ahead, and look around, and to take into consideration time, eternity, death, and suffering: these four factors God uses to keep our lives from becoming monotonous and meaningless.

In his final conclusion and personal application, Solomon then presents four pictures of life and attaches to each picture a practical admonition for his readers to follow:

• Life is an ADVENTURE-live by faith;
• Life is a GIFT-enjoy it;
• Life is a SCHOOL-learn your lessons;
• Life is a STEWARDSHIP-fear God

These four pictures parallel the four arguments that Solomon had wrestled with throughout the book: Life is not monotonous; rather, it is an adventure of faith that is anything but predictable or tedious. Yes, death is certain, but life is a gift from God and He wants us to enjoy it. Are there questions we can't answer and problems we can't solve? Don't despair. God teaches us His truth as we advance in "the school of life," and He will give us wisdom enough to make sensible decisions. As far as wealth is concerned, all of life is a stewardship from God; and one day He will call us to give an account. Therefore, "fear God, and keep His commandments."

Finally, here we have practical advice about life from one of the wisest, richest, most powerful men to have ever lived. His insights about life, money, values, and ordering one's personal priorities are priceless: this (Ecclesiastes) is a rewarding guidebook to the reader who looks behind the initial impressions to find the wisdom this remarkable man (Solomon) gleaned from his unique career.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Luke 12:15; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Micah 6:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; John 6:35; Matthew 6:33; Romans 13:9; Proverbs 13:22; Psalm 112:1; 1 John 2:16

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

-special thanks to Chuck Missler

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi