Good Advice from a Wise Man

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” - Blaise Pascal

"He has put eternity into man's heart...." (Ecclesiastes 3:11b ESV)

From time to time it happens that what I'm reading as I follow my daily Bible reading plan and what we're studying in our Sunday morning Life Group are the same thing.  That has happened this week, as my Bible reading plan has me in Ecclesiastes, which is what we've been studying on Sundays for the past few weeks. 

Here in Ecclesiastes, Solomon seems to be trying to find meaning in life.  I read somewhere recently (and I can't remember where I read it - sorry!) that of all people who ever lived, because of his wealth and wisdom, Solomon was most qualified to find meaning in life apart from God.  Yet even he couldn't do it!  Because without God, life really has no meaning or purpose since, as Rick Warren put it, "it's not about you."

Solomon was wealthy and he was wise, but in spite of that he seemed to be running on empty.  Solomon's father, King David, was described as a "man after God's own heart."  But nowhere in Scripture do we find such a description of Solomon.  There's a lesson there.  God doesn't have spiritual grandchildren.  No matter who your parents were, no matter what your family circumstances or your financial situation or your geographical location, each of us must come to God individually.

Solomon was looking for meaning in life.  As he did, he gave us some good "wisdom nuggets" we would do well to remember.  For example:

• "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Eccl. 3:11a ESV)
• "A good name is better than precious ointment."  (Eccl. 7:1 ESV)
• "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."  (Eccl. 9:10 ESV)
• "Let your words be few."  (Eccl. 5:2b ESV)

And each week as we go to our churches for worship, we should remember these words: "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.  To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil."  (Eccl. 5:1 ESV)

Reading through Ecclesiastes leaves me with the impression that, in his search for meaning and purpose in life, Solomon was more than a little down in the dumps, that life seemed empty and meaningless to him.  Certainly on this side of the cross, we know that a relationship with God through Jesus is what's needed for life to have meaning and purpose.  Solomon, even with all his wisdom, didn't understand that in the same way that we do.  But we shouldn't be too hard on Solomon.  After all, there are many of us who have on occasion experienced times in life when we wondered if there was any purpose to it all.  We have had our "ecclesiastes moments" when life seemed empty and meaningless.  We have sometimes experienced a "crisis of belief." 

Reading through Ecclesiastes may not be the most uplifting or encouraging portion of Scripture.  You might prefer to be reading in the Gospels or one of Paul's letters.  Even so, it needs to be read.  If for no other reason than because it is there!  Because "all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable." (2 Timothy 3:16)

Whether or not it's your personal favorite, I think there's value in reading this book.  For one thing, it points us to the sovereignty of God ("for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." - Eccl. 3:1 ESV).  In reading about Solomon's struggles to find meaning and purpose, we realize we are not alone when we, too, struggle.  And Solomon gives us some good practical advice, as noted above.

Solomon closes this book with what is perhaps the best advice of all.  At the end of the day, no matter what the circumstances of life may be, no matter if we are in the depths of despair or on the mountaintop of joy, this is good advice to heed:

"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments."  (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB)