Ecclesiastes

We have not met in a while. This past Sunday night was the first time we had youth in weeks. So for the first meeting of 2010 we did something a little different. We read the entire book of Ecclesiastes. It only takes about 30-45 minutes. Each student took a chapter and read it, even the adults read some.

Background: The book of Ecclesiastes is written by King Solomon, David's son. At the time of the writing of this collection he would have been an older man, and probably about to die. He starts the book when he is made king and tells about his journey to find wisdom and happiness.

Summary: Being a king, Solomon thought that he could buy anything in the world that he thought would make him happy. He plants vineyards, builds parks and other buildings, he takes for himself many wives. He collects horses and chariots, builds a huge army. This man had literally anything and everything he could ever imagine and yet he was still not content. In our day and time we would call this living the "American Dream" we are all on a pursuit of happiness. He realizes that everyone and everything on earth will come to an end and there is no use being rich because you have to give to someone when you die and they may gamble it all away.

Conclusion: At the end of his life, Solomon finally realizes what the one thing is that will bring happiness and fulfillment. He says this in chapter 12: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." In the Message version throughout the book it says that everything else in life is smoke, or in other translations it might say vanity or a striving after the wind. I like the smoke translation because that pretty much says that nothing in our life matters. Yet, Solomon finds the one thing that matters. He says, nothing matters in our life except what we do for God. He says to fear, or honor God and do what he says, that is all that matters.

The challenge to the students this new year, was to honor God with their lives and do what he has placed them on this earth to do. We all are here for a reason. I encourage you to read God's Word and talk to him in prayer and see what he has you here to do.

Also I encourage you to read the book of Ecclesiastes. It will only take about 30-45 minutes to read straight through. It makes more sense to read it all at once than to pick and choose from it. A good translation to read from is The Message, it reads more like a story and makes a little more sense. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.