THE MEANING OF LIFE
The Book of Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s search for the meaning of life. Many people grow up, live their lives and never find out what life is about. Vanity and futility are words that describe the life that is lived without God. Life brings us into contact with people who are unfair. Dealing with injustice is not easy. Dealing with death is even more devastating. Man makes his plans but death interrupts everything. Death and the grave have a voracious, insatiable appetite. “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20) Without God death makes life itself "vanity." The meaning of life is not found in the gaining of things, but in the preparation for death. In his search for the meaning of life, Solomon wrote one of the most profound passages in the Bible about death and dying. He said, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-8) What is to be learned about the meaning of life from Solomon’s discussion of death?
The meaning of life is to “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Tom T. Hall was wrong when he sang about the meaning of life saying, “Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime, but old dogs and children and watermelon wine.” The meaning of life is to remember God and to willingly follow His commandments. Those who remember God take His word to heart and act on what He says. Solomon wrote, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) The meaning of life is to remember God as Creator. Start early in life and always allow God’s word to have a place in your heart. Remember the Creator NOW because we all are aging and headed toward the grave. Solomon gave an amazing description of Old Age. “In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:3-7) The meaning of life is remembering God before it is too late! A life without God is vanity. “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:8) The meaning of life is to “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”
The meaning of life is to Read the word of God and be admonished by it! The will of God can be known because He had it written in a book. Solomon wrote, “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-12) Solomon taught the people knowledge by seeking out many proverbs and setting them in order. Solomon received his wisdom and his message from God. He sought out words of truth; his interest was not in words to please men, but in words that came from God and would please God. This word must be fastened in our heart as if it was nailed there with a long stake with an iron point. Study the truth for yourself and be anchored to it! The meaning of life is to read the word of God and be admonished by it!
The meaning of life is to fear God and keep his commandments. Solomon gave the meaning of life saying, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Life is meaningful when we know that “God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) The meaning of life is that we must fear God, reverence Him; pay Him adoration and homage. God deserves our awe, love and respect. The meaning of life is to love God and keep His word, that you may be happy. "Let us hear the conclusion of all things; Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that toucheth all men; for God shall judge all works and secrete things, whether they be good or evil." Get ready for the Judgment, because God holds us accountable.
Whether human or animal, wise or foolish, righteous or unrighteous,
good or bad, each one must face the same fate of death. Many changes come in
this life. The final and ultimate change is death. Being a Christian is a
serious responsibility. Christianity involves your salvation. Your Christianity
may affect hundreds of others. To become a Christian, you must hear the gospel
(Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of every sin (Acts 2:38),
confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter
3:21) After baptism the challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,
Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA