I would like to start out by recognizing my pastor at Zoar Baptist Church, Dr. Kevin Hand, and Brian Borgman of Grace Community Church in Minden, Nevada. Both have helped me to begin to read, study and wrestle with the concepts in book of Ecclesiastes. I have been listening to their sermons and I pray that I will have the attitude toward God mentioned in Chapter 5 - to guard my steps and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, to always remember that God is in heaven and I am on the earth so let my words be few, and finally, fear God.
Knowing that God is sovereign over all things, Qoheleth (Hebrew word for the Preacher/Teacher/Solomon) seeks to pursue meaning to all that occurs under the sun, and his conclusion is that all is "hebel" (Hebrew word for emptiness, vanity, vapor, futility, a chasing or striving after the wind). Is the solution to hebel riches, wisdom, pleasure, hard work? The answer is a resounding NO - those too are hebel. Does this conclusion mean that we should forsake wisdom, since both the wise and the foolish share the same end (at least in this life on earth)? Certainly not! But the Preacher is telling us not to pursue these with the hope that they will solve the problems of hebel, or emptiness. Neither should we simply dismiss the emptiness or vanity by covering it over with little positive thoughts, even like "God is in control". While the Preacher would agree that God is sovereign and in control of all things, we still experience and have to deal with hebel.
So how do we wrestle with this hebel - this vanity, emptiness, this vapor of a life. Like laundry - separate, wash, transfer to dryer, dump on couch - i mean get around to folding, put away, repeat. This is a good picture of hebel. Our jobs may seem this way as well. Is working harder, longer, the answer? Is looking back on achievements or accomplishments the answer? Qoheleth, from experience, says no. If we work harder or longer, we may forsake the ones we love and support. On top of that, some who may not work as hard, seem to reap greater rewards than those who do. This too, is hebel. Don't get depressed yet, Solomon is about to make a good observation from this experiences and reflections to help us live with the experience of hebel - emptiness, vanity, futility.
In verse 18 of Chapter 5, Qoheleth says "Here is what I have seen to be good and beautiful: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. There is a perspective that we need - that is to see/understand that all that we have is a gift from God. Our job - a gift from God. Our family - a gift from God. Our wealth/riches - a gift from God. Each breath we take - a gift of God. Our food - a gift from God. Our salvation through Jesus Christ - a gift from God. Now when Solomon says we should enjoy - he's not talking about satisfying our flesh with the pursuit of sinful pleasures.
When we give a gift to a child, what do we want to see? We want to see that child enjoy the gift - observing that child's enjoyment is good and beautiful. We should be the child - enjoying the gifts that God has given us. If we view our work as our own accomplishment or achievement, we will not be satisfied - again, hebel. But if we see the mundane, repetitive job as a gift from God, then we can enjoy the work (yes, even when things don't go our way or when our work is frustrated). Even the ability to have this perspective is a gift from God! Did we deserve the gift? Did we earn/merit the gift? If we work harder/faster/stronger will we be able to hold on to the gift? The answer is no. But we can enjoy the gift while we have it. I must confess that I have not always had this perspective - especially in my work. The LORD is working on me, though and I know He will finish what He has started.
The 1st question and answer in the Westminster Shorter catechism - "What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." Oh my soul, your time is but short on this earth - enjoy the gifts that God has given you! Work, eat, sleep as unto the LORD, knowing that he has given them to you as a gift. So when the LORD gives, or the LORD takes away, you can bless His name.
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