From the series "A Word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:1-11; 2:24-25; 3:9-13; 5:18-20; 6:9; 8:15
Vapour/smoke has a temporary and fleeting nature which could encourage contrasting postures towards play and pleasure. 1. What’s the point in enjoying anything because it will eventually disappear? 2. I’m going to pursue as much pleasure as possible, while I have the opportunity. Is there a healthy balance to be found of not clinging on too tightly to things that bring us pleasure and making them idols (ref. Isaiah 44) but coupling this with a genuine enjoyment of the simple things in life and acknowledging them as gifts from God? If we give ourselves completely over to pleasure, satisfaction will be temporary and Monday morning always comes around. The teacher tried to find pleasure in lots of different areas, some of them not bad in and of themselves, but this only filled his life and didn’t bring fulfilment to it. This said, life is hard work, throws up all kinds of challenges and the teacher acknowledges that God has placed this burden on us so it’s important we enjoy ourselves in amongst our toil and hardships. A posture of total trust in God helps us to enjoy life as we actually experience it as opposed to pursuing how we think it ought to be.
Ryan Baxter 27/8/2023
From the series "A word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.
Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:12-16; 7:1-25; 8:1; 8:16-17; 9:13-10:4; 12:9-14
'Hebel' is an enigma/paradox and in life, particular actions don't always lead to the outcomes we expect. This brings into question what the point of wisdom and knowledge is when it can often be the case that there is little or no reward to demonstrating these qualities. This is a direct contrast to the Book of Proverbs where the general rule of thumb is that certain wise actions should result in positive and logical outcomes. However, even amongst the teacher’s scepticism, there is an underlying acceptance that cultivating and protecting wisdom in our lives is good for us but that ultimately, human wisdom has its limitations. The author in the closing poem fully endorses the teacher’s wisdom but concludes that we shouldn’t spend all our time trying to solve life’s existential puzzles and instead, fear the Lord and keep his commandments.
Paul Rogers 20/8/2023
From the series "A word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.
Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 3:15-17; 4:1-3; 5:8-9; 8:9-14; 12:14
There’s so much beauty and goodness in the world but just when we’re enjoying it, hardship and tragedy has a habit of striking. Just like smoke which appears solid but quickly disperses when we try and grab hold of it. A lot of people carry a strong sense of justice but ‘bad’ things happen to ‘good’ people all the time which can cause disillusionment or at the very least, confusion. Oppression makes life bitter, sorrowful and destroys people and it’s often people or groups in positions of power who are culpable. A significant part of the closing poem highlights that it is God’s intention to bring every deed into judgment, whether good or bad. This should hopefully inspire us to cultivate lives of honesty and integrity, with the confidence that the injustices we and others experience in this life will be brought under God’s judgement.
Erica Richmond 13/8/2023
From the series "A word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.
Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11; 3:14; 3:18-21; 9:1-10
We spend a lot of energy and emotion on things that ultimately have no lasting meaning or significance. Eg. Wealth, work, pleasure, status. Time will eventually erase us and everything we care about, with death being the great equaliser. The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus is the only thing that can combat the inevitability of time and death and in the meantime, He shows us why and how we should live, that true life is to know him and that it is He who ultimately ensures our lives have meaning and significance.
Paul Rogers 6/8/2023