Today in God's Word—July 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
July 15, Ecclesiastes 3
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1
Most of us are frustrated to some degree by change and uncertainty about the future. But whether we like it or not, life is an ongoing series of changes and transitions. Solomon wrestled with these issues in Chapter 3.
In his search for meaning and fulfillment in this life, apart from God, Solomon noted that life is both cyclical and episodic. He expressed it in a series of fourteen pairs of opposites, saying there was a time for both parts of each pair. Those first eight verses of Chapter 3 are by far the best known words in the book of Ecclesiastes. That is probably due to the popularity of a song Pete Seeger wrote in 1959. The Byrds’ 1965 version of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is the best-known version of that song and the one I hear in my head when I read this chapter. The song is a direct quote from Scripture, except for the last line, which adds "I swear it's not too late."
These words have found their way onto greeting cards and into popular songs through the decades. But don't forget the dark and troubled context in which Solomon spoke them. King Solomon tried to find meaning, fulfillment and control over life by living "under the sun.” In Ecclesiastes that expression means living as if here and now is all there is without regard for God and his will. His quest, fueled by unbounded desire and funded by unlimited resources, did not go very well. He was frustrated with the emptiness and troubled by what he saw as uncontrollable randomness about life. In his confusion, he sometimes spoke of God and eternity, and then sometimes talked as if neither were real. He was frustrated, not satisfied when he tried to find happiness by living without restraint.
Some of Solomon’s words from Chapter 3 suggest there is a better way to live than what
he discovered. Let's notice a few particulars of that better way.
Wouldn't it be better to trust Ged's purpose and plan in changing and uncertain times? If we could see God’s hand in both the good times and bad times of our lives, we could humbly accept the bad times and be more thankful in good times.
Wouldn't it be better to remember that God hardwired our longing for eternity into our hearts? We don't know all about it, and can't really imagine the concept of eternity from our time-bound perspective. We can trust God's word and believe there is far more than just life "under the sun.” When we remember that he loves us and wants us to enjoy that eternity with him, we don't have to be miserable about what we can't understand.
The variableness of life makes us shy away from long-term commitments. But the best way to trust God and truly make him Lord of our lives is to do the right thing today. Solomon described it as being joyful and doing good as long as we live, seeing each day and its provisions and work to do as from the hand of God.
The only way Solomon could understand how the wicked who prosper get the justice they deserve was to acknowledge that God’s judgment was coming for both the wicked and the righteous. Isn't that better than being frustrated about all the injustice we see? We also find strong motivation to do what is right and trust God when we remember that judgment is coming.
Solomon found no peace in his bold attempt to discover satisfaction and meaning apart from God. When you and I fail to acknowledge and surrender our lives to the Lord, we face the same grim and hopeless outlook. It’s better to believe and trust God. Know that he loves you. Believe he has all the matters you can't handle firmly under his control.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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