The Preacher

 

The Preacher Lives Life to the Fullest

“Why are we here?” the young man wondered.

“What is the point of all of this?” And by “this” he meant life.

He was blessed that he could observe, experiment and explore to his heart’s content. Unrestrained by time or resources.

If all of life is a cycle: the water, weather, generations, then what is the meaning of his one insignificant life? It is doubtful that future generations will even know he existed. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-12)

He decided to study and learn everything he could about everything! He read ALL the books and listened to wise people’s theories. But the more he learned the heavier his burden became. The thoughts in his mind made him feel like he was losing it and he kind of wished he had never started this journey. (Ecclesiastes 1:13- 18)

Maybe he was trying too hard! He put away his books and decided to LIVE LIFE! And live he did! He built beautiful houses and gardens. He threw lavish parties. He consumed good food and drink. He hired musicians and servants. He accumulated more gold and silver than anyone before him. He bought many kinds of animals. He said yes to everything that suggested happiness! He was surrounded with beauty and joy! It was fun to build all of this.

But, one day he looked over everything. It seemed like the more work he did, the more he acquired, the more work there was to do. 

Again, what was the point?

 WHY was he doing all this? Was it to be happy? -to please himself? That’s a foolish reason. What was he anyway? -just one human being. What if he accumulated all of this and the people after him destroyed it? All his getting was no better than a greedy, hoarder who only thinks of himself. It didn’t matter if he was rich or poor, life was pointless- or was it? 

Maybe the music and beauty of life IS the point. Maybe it is enjoying the little things. Appreciating the world around us. Thanking God for all His many blessings. Maybe it’s okay to enjoy all of this! In fact, maybe that is the answer, or at least part of it: Enjoy the blessings of today.

Some people are never happy, whether they have little or much. Joy comes in acknowledging that all good things come from God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26)

The Preacher Realizes the Emptiness of his Life

One would presume that being a good person would naturally cause one’s life to be happy and satisfying. However, as the now middle-aged man began observing and learning about the lives of other people his observations confused him. It seems that “time and chance” happened to everyone, regardless of whether they made good life choices, or not. He also noticed that corruption was literally everywhere! No matter how prestigious the establishment, upon closer inspection, it was evident that it was run by fallible humans. What a let-down! Who could he trust? Of course, God is the One who could be trusted! How reassuring that the all-wise judge will sort everything out. 

I imagine Solomon watching his animals, at the end of chapter 3, noticing how similar they were to humans. But in one way, the animals were different. They never seemed to question their short existence. There was wisdom to be found here. 

As the man matured, he learned the lesson of humility. He had spent many years searching for the meaning of his life, only now to realize life was meant to be shared. The hard times are easier to bear with someone else. The good times are meant to be enjoyed with others. “Better is a poor, wise child, than an old, foolish king…” (Ecclesiastes 4:13) he said, and I smile as I picture an old king on a beautiful throne realizing he wasn’t getting wiser with age, only more aware of how human he was. The more he looked around, the more he noticed the hard lives of so many. Was he guilty of causing the oppression he referred to?

Another place he learned humility was in the sanctuary. How many times had he been quick to speak and slow to listen? Wisdom is acquired and exhibited in listening, not speaking.

Here he was with great riches and all the comforts of life, but he couldn’t sleep. One day of honest, hard work and he slept like he was a boy again. Perhaps, joy isn’t in attaining the treasure, but in working towards a goal. The cycles of life he found so meaningless as a boy gave him something to wake up for. It wasn’t bondage- this constant toil. It was a gift from God, to be enjoyed (Ecclesiastes 5:18- 20).

The older he got, the more he learned about life, love, himself, other humans and especially, God. And then, suddenly, he was old and wise. Was it too late to live life the way he should have all along? If it was, maybe that is why he wrote it all out for us in the book we now call Ecclesiastes.

A book, no doubt read by a future son of David: Jesus. He summed it all up in one verse. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)”