Eturnity

Start here: http://biblehub.com/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm

There can be little doubt that this is the most well-known passage in Ecclesiastes. Much of the credit for its endurance in pop culture goes to The Byrds for their folk rock version of this passage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4

Stylistically, there seem to be pairings: birth and planting, kill and tear down, weep and mourn, etc. each of these is contrasted with either the end result (plant à uproot) or a direct contrast (kill à heal). The message is simple: Just as there are seasons in the year, there are seasons in our lives. Some seasons are times of creativity, and wonder; others of turmoil and trouble. Again, there is an invitation to consider the big picture, the full spectrum of life.

While there is a time for planting, eventually you will reap what you sow. At times we scatter, other times we build. Some days we dance (as long as we are not Baptists) and other days we weep. While there is a time for embracing, there is a time for “personal space” or even to avoid someone altogether.

Perhaps the final words, “a time for war, and a time for peace” are the most difficult for Christians to accept, yet, the message here rings true (contrary to the final message The Byrds insert into the poem). There may be a time for peace, but in the fallen world we live in, there may not be a chance for it.

It seems to me that verses 9-11 are the ending of this section, at least conceptually; the message being, “What profit is there? All things are made appropriate (NASB) or beautiful (ESV/NLT) in their time, concluding the thought of 3:1, “there is a time for everything…”). Somehow all the good and bad, the planting, uprooting, silence and speaking, and so forth contribute to the appointed time, the purpose or “work” (NASB) that God is doing “under Heaven” in and around us.

The highlight of this passage for me has always been the thought that “He has set eternity in our heart…” as if there is a seed of longing (think C.S. Lewis and senhsucht). That is why in the end, all things are meaningless, repetitive, seemingly vain under the sun, but in Heaven, all things have a perfect purpose; including that sense of dissatisfaction. This discontent, or disassociation that we feel at times with the world around us has divine purpose, to cause us to long for the eternal. In that sense, the meaningless we trudge through here makes us hanker for the hereafter, and this is a very good thing.   

Sorrow and Steaks

Start here: http://biblehub.com/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm

At times, Solomon must be venting. Why else would the one who compiled the Proverbs turn to us and say, “Living wisely is better than living foolishly, but in the end, we all end up the same.” The wise dies like the fool, there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool.

Compounding this is his assessment about his heir (v.12, 18&ff). He will work his entire life, and leave all that he has worked for, all that God has entrusted to him, to one who did not work for it, and who may squander it through foolishness. We’ve all seen that. A hardworking father who labors to build a business, a reputation, who hands it over to a son that runs it into the ground. Life is just not fair.

The wise die. The hardworking die. All we’ve worked for may evaporate, and the name will one day wear off our tomb stone… So, what are we to do?

Go have a steak.

No seriously, that is exactly what he says.

God has given you only so long to live; so live a little. That is your reward, when you sit down to a meal, when you embrace your children, when you watch a great show on TV, or read a good book, when you have a glass of tea on the porch, when you reap the fruits of your labor, thank God for what has been given by relishing in what you have; with what time you have.

Because you only have so much time left.

Postscript:

Lastly, be careful with v.26. It could easily inject you with pride, and cause you to embrace some serious errors about the value of others. One can see how this text could be contorted in support of any number of injustices. Don’t think God loves you more because you have more than someone else.

Nothing Novel

Start here: http://biblehub.com/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm

Most people outside of the upper Midwest seem to have never heard of Faygo. Then, all at once it began to show up at the convenience store a town over from home. I had never seen it outside of Michigan and Ohio, so the last time we were in Michigan we stocked up before we came home. At first this was super exciting. I’d grab a can from the fridge and sit and think about being a kid, and fishing with my dad, and other happy associations. I think that red pop tastes awesome. But, when it was so easily within reach, the novelty expired.

For Solomon, there is nothing beyond his reach. But in the quiet moments; or perhaps even in the midst of the party, where every man thinks he would be most at peace with himself and with the world everything comes into perfect focus.

Those who take to psychoanalyzing Solomon say he has a classic case of depression, perhaps a bit of anxiety. He’s just overthinking. He should just relax and enjoy what he has. But those of us who have had similar experiences know this is not true. Solomon is on to something.

Ironically, pleasure can be like guilt. It is transitory. One day you are the life of the party, not long after, people are checking the list for your name because they don’t recognize you.

I think it is important to note too that Solomon is not simply speaking about his old
“party days”, he is clear in stating that he carefully tested the limits. Furthermore, it was not only pleasure that he tested, but also prestige, and plenty. In the end, all came up short. They added nothing to his life here under the sun.

So then, what matters? We have to wait a while before we find that out, so stay tuned, and in the meantime, don’t spend your life on that which is temporary, instead invest it in the eternal.