These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
– Ecclesiastes 1:1-2
I have seen the book of Ecclesiastes used as a tool by atheists, pulling out just one verse to supposedly prove how there are so many contradictions in scripture. How cold and even cruel God is, how removed and distant. It makes my blood boil to see the scriptures misused this way.
I read Ecclesiastes often. Front to back, that’s the only real way to read it. There are some beautiful gems of glorious truth in there. But if you read it straight through and really find two things:
1. Solomon could rock some epic poetry.
2. It all, always and in all ways, comes back to God… the awe of Him, the worshipful respect.
And there’s something else… something that Solomon was missing (innocently) and something the atheists are missing, too, for whatever reason.
They didn’t factor in Jesus.
I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.
What is wrong cannot be made right.
What is missing cannot be recovered. – Ecclesiastes 1:13b-15
Ah, but It could be made right. What was missing is now made whole.
They didn’t factor in Jesus.
And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again. – Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
For the time Solomon lived in, I can see how he came to this conclusion. But God was up to something big, even then. And His golden thread weaving through would change everything.
They didn’t factor in Jesus.
It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway. There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!” – Ecclesiastes 9:3-4
We have unimaginable Hope. There is adoption instead of death. A place prepared.
They didn’t factor in Jesus.
So how about us, Dear Ones?
Does despair make you think that what is wrong cannot be made right?
That what is missing cannot be recovered?
Does grief and loss cause you to forget that God is up to something big, even now? Forget to look for His golden thread weaving through everything?
This Holy Week, let’s remember once again the difference that old rugged cross made. Almost as huge as the empty tomb that was coming.
Don’t forget to factor in Jesus.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. – Ephesians 1:3-11
**I’d love it if you found some other examples in Ecclesiastes of Jesus not being factored in. There are lots and it was hard for me to choose just a few for this post. Share them in the comments, won’t you?
Heavenly Father. Oh the awe of Your patience and plan. The unquenchable love our Savior has for us. Thank You for the story to tell. May we always tell it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
