Christ in Ecclesiastes: Our Wisdom

There is probably no other book in the Bible that is as timeless as Ecclesiastes.  As I read it today, it seemed to me like it could have been written by someone living in 2014, not Solomon, the wisest man to ever live.  In it, Solomon talks about the futility of life, its injustices, and its brevity.

When I observed all that happens under the sun, I realized that everything is pointless, a chasing after wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

I saw something else under the sun: in the place of justice, there was wickedness; and in the place of what was right, there was wickedness again! (Ecclesiastes 3:16)

Because who knows what’s good for human beings during life, during their brief pointless life, which will pass away like a shadow? Who can say what the future holds for people under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 6:12)

At first glance Ecclesiastes appears to be quite depressing.  And to anyone who has not recognized the sovereignty, power, and eternal nature of God, it will be depressing.  For you see, Solomon, the wealthiest man to ever live, came to the end of his life realizing that no matter how much wealth he amassed, no matter how much wisdom he passed on to his sons, no matter how magnificent his houses were, these were not the means to true happiness.  He also realized that even if he did find happiness in all those things, when he died he could not take his things with him to the grave.  None of those things had any eternal value.

I have seen a sickening tragedy under the sun: people hoard their wealth to their own detriment. Then that wealth is lost in a bad business venture so that when they have children, they are left with nothing. Just as they came from their mother’s womb naked, naked they’ll return, ending up just like they started. All their hard work produces nothing—nothing they can take with them. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-15)

I don’t believe Solomon was as depressed as this book might make him appear to be.  I believe that Solomon knew the source of his wisdom.  He remembered all his life the prayer that he prayed as a young man, just after he was crowned king over Israel.  He asked God for wisdom, and God was pleased with his prayer.  God granted him wisdom just as he asked, but in addition to that, God granted him wealth and worldwide fame and power.  God’s word tells us that Jesus Christ is The Wisdom of God.

But we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasts a futile, hopeless, senseless life “under the sun” with the wisdom and promise of eternal life and eternal satisfaction with God, “under the Son.”

There’s nothing better for human beings than to eat, drink, and experience pleasure in their hard work. I also saw that this is from God’s hand— Who can eat and find enjoyment otherwise? — because God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please God. (Ecclesiastes 4:24-26a)

I have observed the task that God has given human beings. God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them to discover what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

I know that whatever God does will last forever; it’s impossible to add to it or take away from it. God has done this so that people are reverent before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Although throughout the book he continued to give nuggets of wise advice, Solomon concluded by saying that he could fill scroll after scroll with wise sayings, but it would only be wearisome to anyone who studied them.  He summed up all his wisdom in the last two verses of this perplexing book:

So this is the end of the matter; all has been heard. Worship God and keep God’s commandments because this is what everyone must do. God will definitely bring every deed to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or bad.

In today’s vernacular, one might say, “The bottom line is this:  Worship God.  Obey God.  Because God will judge everything and everyone, good or bad.” 

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, knew that all wisdom is summed up in God.  James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.” (James 1:5)

Do you recognize the awesome, mighty, sovereign nature of God?  Have you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life?  Or are you living life on your own terms, depending on your own wisdom?  Solomon said that is like chasing the wind.  He wrote in Proverbs 1:7, “Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  And as wise as he was, he knew that he could never even come close to understanding the things of God.  He understood what God told the prophet, Isaiah:

My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

My prayer for you and for me this week is adapted from 1 Corinthians 2:16:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Who has known the mind of the Lord, who will advise Him?  But (give us) the mind of Christ.

All Scripture is from the Common English Bible