Strong Life-Lessons from Ecclesiastes

If despair is the theme of Ecclesiastes, what can we possibly learn? Sometimes, you have to dig out the nuggets of truth in God’s Word! And there are some great nuggets in this book. So stay with me for just a few minutes.

The author of the book, probably Solomon offers a sobering view of life. The perspective is clearly temporal – that of looking at life as a complete thing, with little or no thought to an eternal reward.

Here are six lessons

Read the book in one sitting

Because of its content, it’s best to sit and read the whole thing. It doesn’t take too long to read and it will help you to see the whole picture that is presented. When I read this book, I always work my way to the end quickly.

Nothing changes

We live in a world of constant  change but there are some things that don’t change such as human nature and the cycle of life and seasons.

       What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun.

       Is there a thing of which it is said,

“See, this is new”?

       It has been already

in the ages before us.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (ESV)

The futility of temporal things

As you read the word vanity appears over and over. It means that the things mentioned are of no real value. You might substitute the word, futility. Early on you read that wealth, pleasure, work and even wisdom could be considered vanity and a chasing after wind! What does he mean?

Carefully read what is written and you see the underlying message – you can’t take it with you, so what good is it. If it’s only for this life and if it offers no true fulfilment, why do we chase after these things?

But, since life is futile, enjoy it anyway!

These seems like kind of a fatalist way of looking at things, but there is an etching of truth here. Too often we are pursuing what we think will bring us true happiness and we forget to enjoy what we already have! Enjoy your life!

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 (ESV)

Build strong relationships

We need each other and we find strength from each other. Build relationships that are enduring and can be counted on.

 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

The end of the matter

When all is said and done, worship God and be obedient because there is judgment coming!

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)

Your Turn

Read the book and shoot me some lessons! I’d love to hear from you!

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