Bulletin Articles
Ecclesiastes as an Apology
The word “apology,” today, is typically associated with being sorry for something. That is not the classical meaning, however. In fact, Scripture uses the term from which we get it:
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense (apology) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15, NASB).
Paul also spoke of being “set for the defense (apology) of the gospel” (Phil 1:16). When we speak, in this context, of making an apology, we are talking about defending the gospel.
Today, apologetics is the term used for the total defense of the Christian’s faith. It broadly deals with questions about God’s existence, the identity of Jesus, and the trustworthiness of Scripture among other matters. It also delves into the meaning of life because, after all, any worldview worth much must be able to show that life is meaningful. This is where Ecclesiastes is relevant for our age, for we live in a world in which people are lost, seeking meaning, and having great difficulty finding answers.
“Vanity of vanities,” says the preacher. “All is vanity.”
Everything is fleeting, temporary, without much substance. How can life seem less meaningful? “What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?” Everything just keeps happening over and over. One generation comes, another goes, and the cycle of life starts over. “All things are wearisome…” There appears little hope.
Koheleth (“the preacher”) was determined to find meaning in life, some sense of purpose. He sought out many avenues through which he thought he might find happiness. He tried wisdom, only to discover that “in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.”
He tried pleasure. He withheld nothing that he desired from himself. Yet, at the end of the day, he realized that it was “vanity and striving after wind.” There was “no profit under the sun” (ch. 2).
He looked at the world and saw oppression, ugliness, grief, and death. Riches did not live up to its deceitful promises: “The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.” Power is not what it is cracked up to be. In the end, whether a person is rich, poor, good, bad, or anything else, we all end up going back to the dust. As is the fool, so is the wise man. Where does that leave us?
Looking at life from such an earth-centered perspective can lead to terrible despair. Koheleth looked at it all; he tried it all. He found nothing ultimately satisfying or meaningful—until he turned back to God.
Once this life is over, there is no coming back: “they no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.” From the outside, it appears that man and beast are the same; they both die alike and it seems as though there is nothing else. At least there is nothing we can visibly see. As far as an earthly existence, this is true. However, it is there where the likeness ends. With Paul, we need to be able to look not at what we see, but at what we cannot see, for what we see is temporary and what we cannot see is eternal (2 Cor 4:17-18). This is the understanding that affects our grasp of the meaning of life. Koheleth finally came to understand:
“The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (ch. 12).
Knowing that God gives us life both physically and spiritually helps us to better appreciate our existence on this earth. Through God, we can learn to enjoy the simple things of life: the eating and fruit of our labors. We can engage in our activities with a cheerful heart, putting away the grief and anger that characterizes those who have no sense of purpose. It is crucial to remember our Creator if we are going to appreciate and find any joy in life here and now.
The apologetic value of the book of Ecclesiastes is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. People are still searching for meaning. They try all the avenues available to them: knowledge, riches, power, pleasure, and anything else they can think of. Yet they continue coming up empty-handed. It is when they turn to God that they finally realize that life is not just about the here and now. It is about what we cannot see right now. It is about God. It is about our fellowship with Him.
One day we will be carried to our eternal home. We will face the judgment of God. Will your life on earth have meant something then? Or will it have been a hopeless chase after meaning and value only to find that nothing finally makes sense apart from God?
