Solomon writes that every pursuit under the sun is "meaningless;" it's empty, futile, like a whisp of vapor that promises substance, but really doesn't last or satisfy. He is dead honest about his experiences in life and writes to encourage his readers to understand "why" God has given us the experiences we have, and how to make the most of them.
In week 1, we focused on chapters 1-2, but specifically studied Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. While every single one of us deals with the problem of "meaning" (i.e. what does my life mean? what is the meaning of life?), Solomon poses that our meaning cannot be found in anything "under the sun."
Interestingly, early Jewish interpreters questioned the canonicity of Ecclesiastes. They struggled to find how Ecclesiastes skeptical and sometimes, strange, words about life fit within the whole of God's Words. I find this book perfectly placed as posing all of the issues of the fallen human condition and pointing perfectly to God's eternal purposes and our place in eternity. Many of the problems described by Solomon are even answered in the person of Jesus Christ. For example, this week's problem of "meaning" is answered by John 1. The meaning of the universe is all wrapped up in the person of Christ. Jesus doesn't just tell you about the meaning of life...in Him, is found the meaning of life. In trusting Him, knowing Him, and in following Him through everything this world throws at you. He is the Bread of Life, which satisfies complete and forever, and in Him is abundant life.
In the words of St. Augustine, "Oh Lord, Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." May we be restless in this life until we trust Christ fully.
