Embracing the Futility
The book of Ecclesiastes saves one from loving the world and the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). The Bible calls the devil, “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4). The world systems of politics, religion, science, philosophy, psychology, sports, and education are anti-Christ. Consequently, man operates in open rebellion against the Son of God (Ps 2), who is reigning over all, as the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15).
People search for meaning and significance in just about everything, except Christ Jesus, who is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1 Cor 1:24). The result? “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing (Eccl 1:8c-d),” meaning, we consume time and resources, here and now, only to forget and to be forgotten (Eccl 1:10).
Solomon, son of David, the king at Jerusalem and author of Ecclesiastes, had every advantage to explore. He was healthy, wealthy, and wise. He set his heart and his mind to find contentment in the world. He found nothing but vanity, futility, and meaninglessness. Ecclesiastes is the record of his observations. It is part of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament.
Solomon, being a king, was able to explore the depths of pleasure and possessions like few people ever could (Eccl 2:1–11). God had given him wisdom and discernment, and he used these in his analyses. His ability to see the futility of all things in the world system, however, did not permit him to be a catalyst for change. There was nothing new under the sun, and there never would be, as far as the ways of the world are concerned.
Solomon earnestly worked at the task set before him, and he saw others who seemed to labor incessantly, too. Just as wisdom is good, labor is good, but they are means to no end. In other words, these elements have their place, but they ultimately cannot bring satisfaction and contentment. Some are ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7), while others work like addicts, being slaves to labor. Everything God does will remain (Eccl 3:13), but everything man does is fleeting, temporary, like dust in the wind. Everything man does seems to be a competition with his neighbor (Eccl 4:4). Does the next generation even care?
The world system seems to be ruled by injustice and chance. Fools rule while the wise are debased by poverty or oppression. The rich and powerful do not fear God, despite the fact that it is God who has given them wealth and potency (Eccl 5:19). Often God curses the very affluence and influence He has given, so they are a burden to those who possess them. Almighty God has not empowered these people to enjoy what He has allowed them to acquire (Eccl 6:2). The all-wise God is the author of the day of prosperity and the day of adversity (Eccl 7:14).
There is one fate for the wise and the fool (Eccl 9:3), for the rich and the poor, the beautiful and the ugly. Men are fully given to do evil because justice is too slow for them (Eccl 8:11), but it is death that waits for all people great and small. Between now and the day of one’s death, he does not know what will happen (Eccl 10:14). Whatever does come will be futility (Eccl 11:8), and he does not know the activity of God who makes all things (Eccl 11:5).
It is appointed once for a man to die and then comes the judgment for all these things (Eccl 11:9; Heb 9:27), whether you are a righteous man or a wicked man (Eccl 3:17). From dust, man has come and to dust goes his body, while his spirit returns to God who gave it (Eccl 12:7).
How do we embrace the futility? It is the truth that sets us free, and God’s wise assessment of the sinful, fallen world is liberating for believers. Only one conclusion can be drawn, from this book of emancipation, from the tyranny of the world system…it is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl 12:13).
Only God in Christ can satisfy the longings of the human heart. Every other person, place, thing, or idea will ultimately fail to bring you contentment. That is perfectly fine! Jesus Christ is not deficient in any way. He never disappoints those who keep their eyes on Him, and who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). These are the ones who embrace Him, and who gladly embrace the futility of this world.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 18, 2021
