Yes! There is Good News! August 4, 2018

We’ve been looking at the book of Ecclesiastes and considering the phrase, “under the sun.” Solomon uses it 29 times in this short book. We have ascertained that he uses this phrase as an expression to point out our fleshly existence here in this world.

In chapter 4:1 we read, “Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place “under the sun.” If there is one thing I know, it is that God is not an oppressor. He is a giver and a giver of good things. I believe we established this in a previous article. No, it is man who is shown to be the oppressor. Solomon goes on to say in verse 4, “And I saw that all labor and all achievement which springs from man’s envy of his neighbor is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”  The use of this phrase actually sets the parameters for how we should look at this book. It becomes the lens though which we see Solomon’s lessons for us. Let’s consider chapter 2:17-23; five times in these 7 verses we read the phrase “under the sun.”

Solomon starts off saying, “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after wind. … I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun … all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun is also meaningless … My heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.  What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?” At one level it sounds almost depressing; as though Solomon were about to have a breakdown.

But then in verses 24-26 we are told the real message of this book and we dare not miss it. “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…” So now we are shown the difference. Do things, under the sun – meaningless!! Do things to please God – priceless!!

Without God in one’s life we are given this stark picture of a man striving under the sun for no real reason. Solomon was perhaps the richest man in the world – ever! He had it all. (See Eccl. 2:4-11 for a deliberation of what he amassed.)

If we had the time and space, we might go through this book of wisdom, verse by verse but for now, let us go beyond the use of this phrase “under the sun” and consider the last two chapters – for in them is the really good news. (Yes, there are some good lessons though out the book: chapter 5 – stand in awe of God; chapter 7 – the wisdom of having a good name.) Chapter 11 tells us to cast our bread upon the water and give portions to the needy; sow our seeds in the morning; enjoy the creation around us and take joy in our living; be happy and follow the way of our hearts, banish anxiety.

Chapter 12 is quite unique and we should take some time to look at it in our next article. In it we are given a beautiful poem of wisdom and finally are told the conclusion of the matter – good news.