Bible: 5 Poetic Books

Lesson 6: The Book of Ecclesiastes: An age-old question!

How can we make the best of a meaningless life?

If so much of our lives is meaningless, does that mean we just give up? We'll never be happy with what we do, who we know, what we have--so how do we "make the best" of it?

In Ecclesiastes 7:1-12:8, we find some clues. We'll look at some key lines:

Ecclesiastes 7

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

[We should finish what we start, and take our time to do good work.]

9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

[Anger is often a sign of losing control.]

10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

["Those were the good old days"--nostalgia does nothing to improve our current lives. We live in a different time...]

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

[There is value to both knowledge and money (we need money to live in the world today), but of the two, knowledge is much greater...]

13 Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.

[God allows us to endure tough times. Why? Perhaps to strengthen us. We shouldn't complain about every little trouble we encounter. Think of Job!]

Ecclesiastes 8 8 No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death.

[Why do we search for miracle creams and the fountain of youth? Only God knows the day we will die. It is not for us to know. We can't be obsessed with longevity; instead, we must make the best use we can of the time we have on earth.]

Ecclesiastes 9 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

[This is Solomon's ultimate advice--to enjoy life and the important people in your life while you can. They are gifts from God.]

Ecclesiastes 12 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-

[No regrets, if we remember the Creator! And if you're wondering how to live your life, Solomon has some advice (though he himself did not take it):

Ecclesiastes 12 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

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