I just finished reading Ecclesiastes this morning as a part of my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord.” I picture Ecclesiastes as kind of a refining process. The “Teacher” (Hebrew – “Qoheleth”) tries everything to find real significance and meaning in life… Pleasure, philosophy, possessions, projects – wine, women, song – hard work and entertainment – focus and foolishness. He systematically tries it all and “boils off” all the “stuff” of human search and quest (everything humanly promising in life – everything “under the sun.”
His frustrated conclusion with each attempt? It’s “vanity”! (or meaningless)! Just another promising, but disappointing experience – a passing vapor!
But at the bottom of the cauldron – the one thing that matters when all is said and done at the end of the book is this…
“Now all has been heard (and tried); here is the conclusion of the matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE DUTY OF ALL MANKIND. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14)
As we approach the end of another year and the beginning of 2024, I don’t want to try to “reinvent the wheel!”… I don’t want to retrace the disappointing steps of the “Teacher” in Ecclesiastes… I want to embrace what he discovered at the end of the book as my own…
So here’s the bottom line – the conclusion – what matters…
- Loving reverence for God (i.e. the “fear of the Lord”) – my “Heavenly Father”, and
- Obedience motivated by faith and love
- Keeping in mind that everything – yes, everything will ultimately be judged by Him – the good and the evil.
Hey, I’m learning from Ecclesiastes…
Coffee With The Lord 