What’s the Point

Ecclesiastes 1

Early tradition holds Solomon to be the author of Ecclesiastes. Some come to think that it was written much later than Solomon due to the style of Hebrew used. If we really think about it, the author of Ecclesiastes does not change the meaning of the book. Ecclesiastes is a book very relevant today as we live in a culture that is pursuing after everything and anything under the sun. Even once we try to pursue after whatever makes us happy we find ourselves truly not happy. We will call the author, teacher, as he is teaching the reader about pursuing after things in life and realizing the emptiness in this.

The Theme:

Right away in verse 2 we see the theme of Ecclesiastes which says, “Everything is meaningless, says the teacher, completely meaningless.” For the next few chapters this phrase will pop up as we explore different pursuits in life such as pleasure, popularity, love, success, human wisdom, and even life itself. After verse 2 we see some more verses about what is the point of life, as a generation comes and a generation goes but the earth remains forever (vs 4). Again we read that the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing. (vs8) Verse nine says, “History merely repeats itself. It has been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” We could be depressed after reading this and think, what is the point than to this life. We will read that it is not about being the smartest person alive, because there will always be someone smarter. It is not about being the richest person alive, because there will always be someone richer. It is not about being popular as you will find yourself alone. It is not about finding pleasure in food, alcohol, love, etc because you will never truly be satisfied.

The point of this life is not to wake up and do the same thing each and every day and it is not to do something crazy everyday to switch life up. The point is what we read at the end of the book, to fear God and keep his commandments (12:13). We are called to pursue holiness and when we do, we may not be the richest, the smartest, the most popular but we see what the point of life is. Pursue holiness, that’s the point. I know this will never be spoken at schools and I will not be a motivational speaker with this, but it is truth. When you seek the things of the world as your end result and purpose of life, you will end up disappointed.

1st Peter 2:8-9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Pursue God knowing that it is because of Christ on the cross that we are here to live for God. Thank you Jesus for saving us, restoring us, setting us apart for your purpose in this life.