I was talking with a friend yesterday about Ecclesiastes and he said that it was depressing him. I agree that this could happen! You would think that the wisest man on the planet would not write such depressing stuff. Yet when you look at his life, you have to wonder how close to God he really was. As king, he basically turned Israel into the Egypt they escaped from 300 (or so) years prior. He used slave labor to build things. He took 100's of wives and concubines. He ruled with power and might. It is no wonder that when he stepped back from all he had done he was at a loss for meaning and purpose.
Chapter 9 is really says a lot about Solomon. Over and over he says that it doesn't matter if you are good or bad, honest or decietful, rich or poor, everyone dies. And after death there is nothing. These are words from a man who has lived for power, control, wealth, and ultimately trying to be God on earth rather than represent God to his people.
When you read Ecclesiastes you have to understand that this is not a book that is trying to teach us about what happens after we die. This is a book by a king who is musing on his own meaninglessness. What we learn from this book is more about the human heart than about God.
We know from Jesus and the New Testament that these musing are not the complete truth. Jesus promises us hope beyond the grave. Jesus says there is more to life than eating, drinking, and dying. Jesus says that He came to give us life and life to the full (John 10:10).
Don't read Ecclesiastes without understanding this.
There is hope. There is meaning. There is life...and His name is Jesus.
Under the Mercy,
Jason
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