Thoughts for another day

Oct. 11, 2012.

Today's verse: Eccl. 12:13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I'm reading a book by Philip Yancey where he speaks on the Book of Ecclesiastes.  He alludes to various commentaries to present the writer of the Book as a 'set-up' job meaning: he constantly refers to the futility of life and how everyone's end is the same no matter if he is a fool or wise; if he is rich or poor.  So when you read the Book you wonder, what's the reason for it all?  What's the purpose of the Book and what are the lessons it gives?  The major mind block in understanding the Book is its lack of purpose in life and its sundry approach to all things, for example: Nothing is new under the sun, 1:9; and another: for in much wisdom, there is much sorrow, and he who stores up knowledge, stores up grief! 1:18. 

What are we to make of the rather unorthodox wisdom of this book such as, 'Then I realized that 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' 5:17.  This may startle you and you may wonder, what instruction is this Book giving me; and how is it useful for my spiritual build-up.  Does it provide any hinge to latch on to and obtain God's wisdom?  What Philip Yancey writes further may help, which is somewhat like, 'the author (of Eccl.) merely leads the reader along demonstrating the futility of life, as though he were secular, believing not in God and then he finally springs the truth he believes all along, engraving our Scripture above as his message, Fear God and keep His commandments.

No matter what we may think of Ecclesiastes, Philip Yancey, in revealing that man's purpose has to be in serving God, has hit the nail on its head for that's what it's all about:  The whole duty of man is to fear God and to keep His commandments!  That's His purpose in life.  Things may happen as they do, life may continue and it may just be a cycle of what has happened earlier, yet, you'll see that the inner being of man is still the same, as it was yesterday and it will be the same tomorrow.  Only circumstances change; but for man, it's not the circumstances, but the net residue of substance in his heart that makes him; and that is what he is.  In effect, a life dedicated to God is a life perfumed with abundance and lived fully.  For only with God can you find meaning in an otherwise meaningless world, and live a meaningful life…everything else is vanity, a chase after the wind.