We know that our physical life is designed to end. So, it is helpful to realize that our physical lives are simply a means to an end. “Means” is the action or path one takes to reach a goal. “End” is the goal distinct from what one does to reach the goal. Understanding what these are and being able to distinguish which is the “means” and which is the “end” is important as it helps all of us reach our intended goal.
But what is the goal of human physical life? What goal does God desire for us to reach before the end of our physical life? Ecclesiastes has much to say about the paradoxes, quandaries, dilemmas, difficulties, predicaments, and other roadblocks of life.
Solomon begins with: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3). The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament defines “profit” as “poor advantage”. What Solomon is saying is that all man’s “means” at best can only profit him a little. Solomon leaves nothing to our imagination regarding life’s commonality among all who have lived. Whether a slave or a king, a pauper or multi-billionaire, the best we can gain through our “means” is a small advantage.
Anything that happens to us in life is not unique. These happen to everyone:
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8).
We tend to evaluate our lives by how we draw closer its “end” by measuring individual events and their immediate impact on our human short-term goals. We need to evaluate our lives by how our life draws us closer to our “end” purpose that our Creator sets for us all.
Solomon asks the question again in Ecclesiastes 3:9: “what profit has the worker from that in which he labors?” He answers: “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13).
The constant theme in Ecclesiastes is that physical life at best offers some joy, some struggle and death. At the end of the book, Solomon brings us back where he began: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 12:8).
Physical life is merely a breath of breaths. However, Solomon, the wisest man ever, lived that life. Throughout that life he observed its “means” and its “end” to teach others so they would not have to live an entire life searching and not realize the only goal which is the key to all that God promises.
“And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:9–14).
On the surface this can appear simpler than it really is. However, when each of us apply Solomon’s conclusion personally on a spiritual level, where God is writing His commandments in our hearts, then we allow Him to direct, to transform our thoughts and thus our motivations into Christ’s. We recognize Christ as our Head. Christ is our King. It means we walk through this physical life not as we would lead ourselves, but we look to God, through Christ, to lead our every step. We involve Him in our daily lives.
When we seek His Path (His Means) and His End – the end of our physical life – on His terms we stop fighting against this life, stop looking for more meaning in it than there is, and surrender to God. No more and no less than Christ did:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross,” (Philippians 2:5–8).
Instead of living for physical pursuits and staying alive in this life, we can find fulfillment in God’s intended purpose for us, to be His heirs, joint heirs with Christ.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:13–17).
Being led by the Holy Spirit does involve repentance and believing that God is who He says He is in His scriptures. We are to incorporate His character and nature into our lives through earnest desire to change our behaviors and thoughts that do not align with His.
Bill Hutchison