Purpose and Joy

What is the purpose of life?

Throughout the ages philosophers have wrestled with this question. How you answer it will impact how you engage with the world around you. In the course of answering this question, we sometimes give way to our musings–the various “what if” questions. In fact, I would wager that most of us have pondered what it would be like to have unlimited wealth, power, and prestige. It turns out, there is a book, a journal of sorts, written by one of the most memorable kings to grace the annals of history–King Solomon.

About this time last year I started reading Ecclesiastes. As a you man I remember my father reading this book and wondering what the appeal was. The only thing I knew about it was part of a song by the Byrds who, at my age, sounded a lot like the Beatles. Eventually, I would read the book as part of my degree program but I didn’t really give it the time it deserved. For whatever reason, I cracked it open in August of last year and I’ve found it absolutely transformative. I’ve read it several times over since then.

Why was Ecclesiastes written?

King Solomon wrote the book to “carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth” and “[to reflect] on everything that is accomplished by man” (Ecc 1:13-14). In other words, Solomon wanted to answer the question “what is the purpose of life?” Unlike most of us, he had the resources to answer the “what if” questions and the book of Ecclesiastes chronicles his grand experiment.

What does King Solomon conclude?

First, there are a series of minor conclusions that Solomon reaches. These conclusions are not minor in the sense of significance, but rather because they are overshadowed by his broader conclusions. Nevertheless, these same precepts are noteworthy and found elsewhere in scripture.

• No one is righteous. “For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins” (Ecc 7:20-21, Ecc 9:3). The idea that sinful man doesn’t measure up is found in other passages like Romans 3:10, Psalms 14:3, and Psalms 53:3.
• Our lives are fleeting. “The few days of [our] fleeting life—they pass away like a shadow nor can anyone tell what the future will hold for [themselves] on earth” (Ecc 6:10-12). The epistle of James declares the same saying, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow? What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
• The pursuit of things is futile. To paraphrase Psalms 49, “you can’t take your riches with you when you die.” In fact, Solomon lamented that the things he built and acquired could be left behind to a successor who might squander them (Ecc 2:20-21).
• Joy is lost by relentless greed. In the first chapter, Solomon notes that the appetite of man is insatiable. “The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content with hearing” (Ecc 1:8, Ecc 5:10). Nevertheless, some will prioritize gain above all else. Such a mind set can bring anxiety, a restless mind (Ecc 2:22-23), and yielding to evil (Ecc 2:26; 1 Tim 6:10). Ultimately it steals us of our joy. “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” (Ecc 4:8).
• Contentment is key. Ecc 6:9 “It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more”. Likewise, Paul would say “Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.” (1 Tim 6:6-8; cf Philippians 4:12). Along these same lines, Solomon also writes, “The sleep of the laborer is pleasant—whether he eats little or much—but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep” (Ecc 5:12).
• Our deeds will be judged. “For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecc 11:9, Ecc 12:14). It’s unclear from the text what type of judgement Solomon had in mind here but we know that the eternal fate of those not found in the Book of Life will be determined by their deeds (Rev 20:12-14). Those who are part of God’s family will be judged for their stewardship of grace. Writing to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10).

All of these minor conclusions can stand on their own but to treat them that way would divorce them from the grand experiment and the major conclusion that Solomon draws.

Comprised of 12 chapters, 5 of those (41%) arrive at a similar conclusion.

• Ecc 2:24 – There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God. For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him. For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy.
• Ecc 3:12 – I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.
• Ecc 3:22 – So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?
• Ecc 5:18 – I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life that God has given them, for this is their reward. To every man whom God has given wealth and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward, and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God. For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.
• Ecc 8:15 – So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life that God gives him on earth.
• Ecc 9:7 – Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works. Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head. Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.

Toward the end of Chapter 11, King Solomon begins to summarize the results of his experiment–namely the purpose of life. It can be loosely distilled in this manner:

Rejoice in the life God has given you

• Ecc 11:8 – So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all.
• Ecc 11:9 – Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.

Recognize that your life is fleeting

• Ecc 11:10 – Banish emotional stress from your mind and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.

Age will bring hardship and death

• Ecc 12:1 – So remember your Creator in the days of your youth—before the difficult days come.
• Ecc 12:7 – life’s breath returns to God who gave it.

Enjoy what God has given you responsibly

• Ecc 12:13-4 – Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

As stated from the onset, I’ve now read Ecclesiastes several times over. On each occasion, I’ve discover some pearl of truth and wisdom that I once overlooked. In all cases, I find remarkable harmony with the Gospel.

• “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt 11:30)
• “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal 5:1)
• “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'” (Gal 5:13-14)