King Solomon was a man who had everything. Money, fame, women, power… you name it, he had it. All the comforts and pleasures of the world were at his fingertips. I Kings 11:3 tells us he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I Kings 4:34 says that every king on earth knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. His wealth (in today’s dollars) is estimated to have been around 2.2 trillion (yes trillion, with a “t“).
Like all human beings, Solomon wanted to know, “What’s life all about? What am I doing here? What should I be doing during my time on Earth?” The book of Ecclesiastes documents Solomon’s search for meaning in his life.
…I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
Solomon had the resources to live the kind of life we can only dream about. Yet, towards the end of his life, Solomon describes all that he owned and all that he accomplished with these words:
Meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Keeping it real.
Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Solomon smashes the rose-colored glasses, and describes life as it really is. Read Ecclesiastes when you have time. It’s short, and well worth your time. In the meantime, here’s a summary of what Solomon had to say:
- Life is monotonous (Ecc. 1:5-11)
- Life is a burden (Ecc. 1:13 / Ecc. 3:10)
- Life is unjust (Ecc. 3:16 / Ecc. 4:1-3)
- Life is unfair (Ecc. 2:21 / Ecc. 8:14 / Ecc. 9:11 / Ecc. 10:6-7)
- Life is unpredictable (Ecc. 9:12 / Ecc. 8:7-8 / Ecc. 10:8-9)
- Pleasure does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:1)
- Success does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:4-11)
- Wealth does not satisfy (Ecc. 5:10)
- Knowledge/wisdom do not satisfy (Ecc. 1:18 / Ecc. 2:12-16)
- Youth and vigor are fleeting (Ecc. 11:10)
- Death gets us all in the end (Ecc. 9:3 / Ecc. 3:19 / Ecc. 2:14 / Ecc. 12: 6-7)
The hard truth is, nothing in this world can truly satisfy you. How many people have you known (or known of) that seem to “have it all” but are miserable and unfulfilled? What percentage of the rich and famous spend their days trying to numb their pain with sex, drugs, alcohol, or other vices?
If all this harsh reality bums you out, hang in there! The good news is coming.
Where is meaning to be found?
Solomon went down every road this world has to offer, and each was a dead end. However, sprinkled throughout Ecclesiastes are markers that show the path that leads to meaning and fulfillment. Here are two examples:
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
There are several verses that have this theme of “it is good to eat, drink, and toil.” (For more examples, see: Ecc. 9:7-9 / Ecc. 2:24-25 / Ecc. 3:22 / Ecc. 5:12) The idea is this: The people who find meaning and satisfaction in life are those who whole-heartedly do what God put them on the Earth to do.
To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…
Ecclesiastes 2:26a
They [those who do God’s will] seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:20
God has a specific plan and purpose for your life, and the closer you follow His plan, the more satisfied you will be. To know his specific plan for you life, you must seek Him in prayer and study His Word, but if you’re looking for a place to start, Solomon offers that in his conclusion:
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
So, if you’re feeling unfulfilled; if everything seems “meaningless, meaningless, meaningless!” then seek out God’s plan for your life and follow it with all your might! Fear Him. Keep His commandments. This is how you will find purpose and meaning in your life.
