Is everything futile?

2“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.” 3What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labours at under the sun? 4 A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets; panting, it hurries back to the place where it rises."    Ecclesiastes 1:2-5   CSB

As a young Christian back in the 80's, I was totally confused when I first read this by Solomon. In fact, I read it in the Good News version and it read that 'Everything is useless.' To my new convert mindset, it sounded extremely confusing and some people, still find Ecclesiastes this way. So let us take a look at what he actually meant.

The word futile literally means 'breath' and implies that something only has fleeting value and then evaporates  like a puff of air. One could understand this statement  as meaning that everything is worthless - hence, useless. But really, it is saying that everything is short-lived and quickly passes by. A generation is born and another one dies; the sun rises and then sets; we wake up and then go back to sleep, we go to work and then retire, and on and on.

Many scholars believe that Solomon didn't write this book because of the dating of certain events. However, many others believe that he did and the dating that the other scholars suggest, are wrong. The thing is, whether he did write it or not, it is the message that matters and the writer declares that life receives joy and meaning, not from riches, fame and work but, from from reverence for God and obedience to His commandments. All human accomplishments will one day disappear but God won't, His word stands forever, even though there is ,'a time to give birth and a time to die' Ecc 3:2. Dying, for the believer means transferring to another destination, and that is heaven where we will spend eternity.

Solomon shares his heart and knowledge of God in chapters 3:9-15: 

"What does the worker gain from his struggles? 10I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied. 11He has made everything appropriate in its time.

He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. 13It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. 14I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. 15Whatever is, has already been, and 

whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted".

So therefore, don't shy away from reading this work of Solomon, especially the poem in chapter 3:1-8 which makes interesting reading and is bursting with wisdom and intellect.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out