Life Has A Purpose.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a,7-9a, and 1 Corinthians 15:58

Solomon is writing from a human perspective only. He says, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun.” (Ecc 1:14). But the purpose of the Book of Ecclesiastes is to propel us to the New Testament, to meet with Jesus. Jesus has invaded this “life under the sun” and given it a new dimension. 

Three issues that Solomon discusses:

1.The uncertainty of life. (v2) Christians are not immune to illness. God doesn’t issue an “immunity badge” which means we can’t catch the flu, or covid. Unexpected things can happen to Christians just like anyone else. Illustration of the fish and the net v12. The fish was totally taken by surprise. And that is what it can be like for us.

2.The nature of death. Solomon concludes in v3 that ultimately, however people have lived, everyone will die one day. Verse 12: no one knows when their hour will come. Of course, we resist it, and rightly so, but in the end, it’s going to happen. I’m reminded of the undertaker who always finished off his letters and emails, “Yours, eventually!”

Number 3. The uncertainty of people’s attitudes and reactions to us. V1 “No one knows whether love or hate awaits them.” People can be so fickle. Sometimes you think that someone you like and trust is genuine, and it can be a hard thing to find out that this is not the case. Maybe someone here today has been hurt or felt let down. And you can say with the writer, “I can’t work it out!”

Or, on a lighter note, take our day to day living, and reactions between men and women, and how we can understand or not understand each other. We’ve heard it said that “men are from Mars and women are from Venus.” Relationships are complex. How important it is in a marriage relationship to realise this.

Some positive answers to the issues that Solomon raises in Ecclesiastes 9.

1.God’s common grace.

God’s kindness to every human being through the blessings He gives us. Psalm 145:9. Matthew 5:45. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. The sun doesn’t just shine down on the good people. It shines on everyone. This is God’s common grace.

Solomon tells us that things may be tough, but at least enjoy the good things that God has given you. v7: Food is given to us by God for us to enjoy. The Old Testament is full of feasting and banqueting. Don’t we all love to watch those cooking programmes on television, like Jamie Oliver? Imagine if a scientist created a pill instead of a meal, and each day we sat down at the table and ate one pill, and said, “Oh well, that’s dinner.” That wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as savouring each delicious mouthful of a roast dinner!

God also wants us to enjoy the comforts of life that He has given us v8. White clothing and anointing your head with oil-signs of joy. It is good to dress up and enjoy yourself. Enjoy the comforts that we are blessed with. That is the nature of God. He is a generous God. “He restores my soul.” Psalm 23. Sometimes these things, like sitting at the beach on a hot summer’s day, are the ways that God uses to restore our souls. 

Another area of God’s common grace that Solomon talks about is enjoying companionship (verse 9). He specifically mentions a relationship between a husband and wife. Sadly, as we know, not all relationships last and not all marriages work out. But for those who are in a loving marriage relationship, make the most of every day. This includes the wider meaning of companionship. God has given us each other to encourage one another, and to have fun together. To the community of folk here at Drury Presbyterian Church, God says, “I have given you one another.”

God’s saving grace. Eph 2:8: Solomon: “Life under the sun.” “Life under the Son.” We need a new, deeper dimension to answer the questions that Solomon is talking about.

Number 1. We have the assurance of life after death. 2 Timothy 1:10. Solomon is talking about the futility and hopelessness of “life under the sun.” Now we can say with the hymn writer, “I’ve got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun.”

2.There is a purpose to our lives.  1 Corinthians 15:58. God is working His purposes out.

3.God is not fickle and changeable. James 1:17 God is totally reliable. He is not fickle, like people. He doesn’t let us down. “O Love that wilt not let me go” This is the saving grace of Jesus.