My favourite Book: Ecclesiastes.

Before you read on, let the music play:


Today I'd like to share my favourite book in the bible (or one of them) - Eccleciastes. It is amusing. It says things like (Eccl 1:2)"Meaningless! Meaningless!... Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

From the start of Ecclesiastes, it seems like the writings of a pessimist. But as you read on, you'll realise that this is as realistic as can be. In fact, it tells you that no matter how much we enjoy or toil in life, the fate of both the FOOL and the WISE is still the same. We all die at the end! Funny isn't it?

(Eccl 2:15) Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."

Bear in mind that this is written by King Solomon, one of a great biblical historical figure!!

But while he talks about life being meaningless, he also makes a point on "Eternity". He says God has set Eternity in the Hearts of Men, yet we cannot fathom what God has done.

For the lazy people this might also be an excuse to jeer at those who work hard, saying "what does the worker gain from his toil?". But that is not what Solomon means. He is saying, why focus on things of the earth, things that will not last? Instead, we should focus on Eternity.

For those depressed, it also sounds like adding fuel to the fire. They may find even less purpose in living life, after reading this passage. Or so it seems.

And not to even mention, it ALSO sounds like a person who is rich and has achieved everything but lamenting about how it is all meaningless. So we can then excuse ourselves from continual advancement, and just say, what's the use?

But in reading all these, we have to bear in mind, that this is not a "defeated" Solomon saying that there is no purpose in success, rather it is a "enlightened" Solomon saying that after all our successes in the world, that is only a gift from God for our enjoyment.

He says, (Eccl 5:18-20) "It is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."

So in retrospect, whether we are a FOOL or a WISE man, we are no better than the other.

I like that.

In our world today which values advancement, achievement, success, I find Ecclesiastes a powerful reminder to those who put their trust in wealth and riches, that its is not "eternal".

When I am feeling like a fool and lousy and down, I also find Ecclesiastes a powerful "crutch" that helps me to walk, and to know that at the end of the day, we all meet the same fate. (yah, sadistic).

So, what this book means is that we should all stand in awe of God and obey Him. The pursuit of riches is meaningless, but any riches we have are a gift. All our toil is for our enjoyment and God gives this to us as a gift. He is ultimately in control and so if we do not recognise that, then it is all meaningless. All our toil and trouble, is indeed like chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.