When did you first ask what is the meaning of life?
Trying to answer that question might have helped bring you to Christ.
Solomon, a son of King David (of Goliath fame) and a man of renowned wisdom, asked that question
about three thousand years ago when he wrote the Book Of Ecclesiastes. Solomon’s answer might be a
little depressing …
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
What does Solomon mean by this, “Vanity of vanities”?
The original Hebrew word for “vanity” is hevel, which means vapor or smoke. In other words, Solomon is
saying that like smoke, our lives – and the things we work for – may appear solid and lasting. But they’re
not. In short, everything is meaningless.
Solomon’s conclusion is that to our small, human minds – life is confusing, uncontrollable, and
temporary like a wisp of smoke.
Solomon outlines in Ecclesiastes (one of the Wisdom books of the Bible along with Proverbs and the
Book of Job), his journey to find meaning and significance. It’s not an easy journey.
Solomon starts with trying to find meaning in wisdom. He realizes that striving for wisdom is like striving
after wind …
Ecclesiastes 1:18
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Solomon then goes on to see if he can find meaning from pleasure, work, wealth, and women. He
realizes that he can’t. It’s all vanity.
Solomon tells us – his readers – that life seems to be a mystery. He notices that righteous people can die
young and wicked people might live long lives (Ecclesiastes 7:15).
Can’t Solomon do better than this? Can he give us something more than feeling all is meaningless? Yes!
Solomon lives up to his reputation as the wisest person on planet earth with his last few verses in
Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
This is 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 work into judgment, with every hidden thing,
whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
In these verses we are given humanity’s true meaning and purpose. Solomon, a man who received
unmatched wisdom from God, instructs us to fear God and to keep His commandments. Solomon tells
us that here is where we’ll find true meaning.
So, remember Solomon’s advice. Forget about trying to create your own meaning for your life. Instead,
blow away the hevel – the SMOKE and VAPOR – and fear God. Follow His commandments. Let God
worry about the meaning. Let Him worry about your life having lasting value. Do that and watch the
hazy smoke blow away and reveal your life’s clear vision.
Trying to answer that question might have helped bring you to Christ.
Solomon, a son of King David (of Goliath fame) and a man of renowned wisdom, asked that question
about three thousand years ago when he wrote the Book Of Ecclesiastes. Solomon’s answer might be a
little depressing …
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
What does Solomon mean by this, “Vanity of vanities”?
The original Hebrew word for “vanity” is hevel, which means vapor or smoke. In other words, Solomon is
saying that like smoke, our lives – and the things we work for – may appear solid and lasting. But they’re
not. In short, everything is meaningless.
Solomon’s conclusion is that to our small, human minds – life is confusing, uncontrollable, and
temporary like a wisp of smoke.
Solomon outlines in Ecclesiastes (one of the Wisdom books of the Bible along with Proverbs and the
Book of Job), his journey to find meaning and significance. It’s not an easy journey.
Solomon starts with trying to find meaning in wisdom. He realizes that striving for wisdom is like striving
after wind …
Ecclesiastes 1:18
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Solomon then goes on to see if he can find meaning from pleasure, work, wealth, and women. He
realizes that he can’t. It’s all vanity.
Solomon tells us – his readers – that life seems to be a mystery. He notices that righteous people can die
young and wicked people might live long lives (Ecclesiastes 7:15).
Can’t Solomon do better than this? Can he give us something more than feeling all is meaningless? Yes!
Solomon lives up to his reputation as the wisest person on planet earth with his last few verses in
Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
This is 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 work into judgment, with every hidden thing,
whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
In these verses we are given humanity’s true meaning and purpose. Solomon, a man who received
unmatched wisdom from God, instructs us to fear God and to keep His commandments. Solomon tells
us that here is where we’ll find true meaning.
So, remember Solomon’s advice. Forget about trying to create your own meaning for your life. Instead,
blow away the hevel – the SMOKE and VAPOR – and fear God. Follow His commandments. Let God
worry about the meaning. Let Him worry about your life having lasting value. Do that and watch the
hazy smoke blow away and reveal your life’s clear vision.
