Lord’s Day, Vol. 12. No. 34
(1) Opening The Book of Ecclesiastes
Life without God is futile and vain. This was King Solomon’s conclusion after experimenting with living life apart from his Creator, coined “life under the sun” (1:3).
As Israel’s king, he was endowed with vast resources to pursue a life in the flesh, a life without God in the equation. A carnal life (Rom. 8:7) does not satisfy. It was a regretful life.
He described life without God as crooked and cannot be made straight and that which is wanting cannot be numbered (1:15).
He called his experimented life a vanity. The word “vanity” means “a vapour” or “a breath” describing life in its fleetingness, emptiness, brevity and meaninglessness – “a chasing of the wind”, a vexation of spirit (1:17) when it is lived void of God’s wisdom.
He saw clearly that “chasing the wind” is finally grief (1:18a) and sorrow (1:18b) of the heart.
He saw the emptiness of worldly pleasures (2:1-3), worldly accomplishments and possessions (2:4-11), worldly entertainment, and even labour (2:18-23) and his conclusion – godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6), rejoicing in the fruit of honest labour (2:24-25) and the fruit of heavenly blessings (2:26).
Ecclesiastes 2:24 (KJV) There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
The Book of Ecclesiastes shows the SEARCH FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE. This led Solomon further and further from his Creator.
Then one day, he wakes up and sees that life is so empty. He pursued worldly wisdom to its limit and found it wanting, crooked and disappointing.
Solomon shaken by his experience has to accede to his readers that man has to return to his Creator to find a true perspective of a fulfilled life.
Solomon helps us to make sense of life by linking time into the equation of life. He spreads before us life through time and he measures it according to its events. After telling us that we cannot enjoy life apart from God, he paints the picture of life through familiar events and how we are to make sense of them all – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
He saw that it is God who predetermines the events of life (3:1-9). Through it all, God makes everything beautiful in His time (3:11) as man subsists under God. When we have God in perspective of life, our times become sensible and meaningful. All things work for our good (Rom. 8:28).
Where is the prophetic clock ticking? Ticking toward the time of our blessed hope when Jesus will return to receive the church to glory. It is no accident that God gave us our church name “Blessed Hope BP Church” as an end-time, last-hour witness for the Lord, now located in a building in the shape of Noah’s Ark. But we serve a sovereign God who knows what He is doing.
Israel in the land for the last 76 years. It can’t be long before our Lord will return! Could we be the last generation to see the Rapture?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV) He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
This word “world” means “eternity”. It is an old English word that means not the “world” as we know it but rightly as the King James translator used when we sing the Gloria Patri “world without end” as referring to the age to come, eternity.
God has placed in man created in His image a sense of longing for eternity in our hearts because our souls, the invisible part, are immortal. And this can only be realized through Christ’s work on the cross, His death to bear our sins and His resurrection to give eternal life to all who trust in Him.
John 10:10 … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The abundant life that Christ gives enables us to live for what’s truly valuable for what is truly valuable must be eternal.
Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 (KJV) I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Solomon observed that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, He only is God!
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (KJV) And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
God judges the works of man whether it be righteous or wicked, none can escape. When a man makes right with God through Jesus Christ His Son and lives to glorify and enjoy Him forever, that is life everlasting on earth and in heaven.
He does so by fearing God and obeying His commandments by His grace bearing the Spirit’s fruit. Such is the blessed life, without rebuke, with God. – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Amen.
(2) Opening the Song of Solomon
Solomon wrote 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), and this book stood out as the “song of songs” (1:1). With Hebrew poetry is depicted the sacred marriage union between a man and a woman, a blessed picture of the love of the LORD for Israel and Israel’s love to the LORD, and the love of Christ for the church and the church’s love for her Lord. The expression of the bride’s love for the bridegroom (1:8), and their mutual love (1:9-2:7).
It is a recollection of the story of Solomon and his bride (the Shulammite girl), how they met, and their time of courtship and marriage. This girl was from a poor family in Ephraim. One day she met a young shepherd (who was King Solomon in disguise). It was love at first sight for both of them. After a prolonged absence, he returned with the grandeur of the king of Israel. It was only then that she realized that her shepherd lover was none other than Israel’s king. This poem reflects their joy and pleasure, as well as the difficulties they encountered. Their love for each other shows what genuine love is, in the context of marital commitment that is beautiful, uplifting and satisfying. It carries with it pleasant memories without any guilt or self-reproach. [Survey of the Old Testament, Paul N. Benware]
(3) Gospel Rally
Do avail yourself with Invitation bookmarks to bring relatives, friends and schoolmates and colleague to hear the message of the gospel on 1 September 3pm at the Worship Centre. Pray for the Lord’s help.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee