Here Today and Gone the Next
2 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. 20 So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun. 21 When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. 22 For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 23 For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. 24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him? 26 For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. [CSB]
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26
2 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.” 12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Imagine the king being the Sunday morning preacher! Imagine the president.
Someone said Luther made this comment: It is better to have a wise Turk on the throne than a foolish Christian.
America has seen both, haven’t we? And they tend to be a bit preachy—those presidential speeches.
This preacher though—King Solomon…is speaking God’s Word here…to His people—and to the church of both Old and New…to us.
We should listen. It is a good sobering thing to read Ecclesiastes from time to time. As depressing as it is to read, it still is SO TRUE. It can bring despair, and that is why so many avoid this book.
But then they missed the Gospel there. It is in there.
But the rest—hard truth—the Law—that is what it should be doing—should do at least each Sunday—bring us to despair—what I mean is: despairing of ourselves, of the world in which we live—to once again confess the truth of God’s Word when He said we are not to trust in princes…or our own strength…or what we have got in the bank. Or anything.
It is so that we are brought to our knees and seek mercy, grace and salvation—life itself from the right source.
Not from us…not from kings, presidents, princes, movie or rock stars…not scientists…doctors…no!
But what has happened since Eden?
13 I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven.
How many seek the meaning of life everywhere—out there in the world—but ignore the very place where it is given?
I understand that Dr. Louis Leakey, and his wife Mary, spent most of their lives in Africa in search of the so-called “missing link” to prove the theory of evolution true. They did not find one—surprise, but now their son Richard and his wife are doing the same thing. Two generations wasted…and all for a lie.
14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
If only they would listen to God’s Word.
But since they are determined not to do so…
13 I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven.
So, we continue… We toil just to fail. Toil to a unfulfillment in life. To frustration. Then the end.
What was that saying? “Life…what?….and then you die?”
So true. On purpose God has done this. Why?
So, He can… and only will… be the source of everything that is good, that is lasting, that will remain in the end.
As it should be.
NO, I know, not as WE want… but then that is part of our condition—original sin in us. To want to be like God. To be self-determined…self-willed…self-actualized…autonomous…oh, the list is long…and we like it…
Sin and all vanity…and vane it is, because it is all so soon over with. Gone. Here today and gone the next. And then…what?
18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.
So, what are we striving for? Hopefully not ourselves. The point, I think.
God is not being cruel here. God is just forcing us to be how He created us to be—not how we want to re-create ourselves to be…in our own image. He made us in His image, remember.
We are for Him as He is for us…and we for each other…as everyone ought to be for one another.
20 So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun. 21 When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. 22 For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 23 For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
Why, then does the world work so hard and long? For what?
You spend your best days…best years… to gain and then in the end are not able to enjoy them.
What is the evil here? Simple. That it is all done for ourselves. Vanity! How great I will be when I have all that…as we look into the mirror and smile.
“What profits a man who gains the whole world, but looses his soul,” asked Jesus?
Then Jesus tells the story of a farmer who has the best year, but that night is his last. What good did it do him?
Jesus said that the man did nothing to acknowledge God—He was not rich towards God. Jesus called this farmer a fool!
So, too us—and how are we then to see this? Is it, all to often: let’s eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we…what? Die. True, but not the answer.
King Solomon says it a bit differently—and God is telling him—and us—that it can be done—it is natural and good, but…
How and why, we can—eat and drink and be merry—this is what matters.
So yes:
24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work…
It is not wrong to enjoy the gifts and fruits of God’s creation. But where does it come from?
God gave us the Sabbath day. He provides food for all living things. He allows the sun to rise and set. He makes the seasons come and go…
24 I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him?
Well, who do you think is behind all of it…? Mother nature—that false goddess? Chance? Or Luck? Another false idol.
No, but rather it is our most merciful and gracious Father, God the Almighty, creator and sustainer of all things.
So, enjoy, yes, but be thankful. Be generous towards God and neighbor. We will all give account. Jesus makes this plain.
26 For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
See, there is Gospel here.
But wait, are we not all sinners and displease God in what we do? Yes, but what is it that pleases God?
A contrite heart—repentant heart…daily…always…
Always looking and leaning, trusting Him. Trust and reliance on Him alone. Looking to Him daily for all things. Asking and thanking Him…acknowledging Him as the only source…daily….
This is our faith, after all. This is the creed we confess. This is what the first article—the “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth“—this is what it means.
What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures, that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses…He also gives me clothing and shoes, food, and drink, house and home, spouse and family, land, animals and all I have…
But when was the last time you thought about this? Acknowledged this to be true?
So many don’t—even Christian’s forget and think it was really of their own doing…
Well, don’t we?
This is not faith, but unbelief—the very root of that first sin in the garden that is part of all humanity. To disregard God’s Word…to think and believe a lie…instead of that Word that tells how things really are.
No…instead be hearing and believing—saying yes, and thank you. Asking and looking with expectation to God for all we are, all we have…even all we do.
This is faith. This is our faith.
And the Bible says that Faith alone pleases God. And it does. We are at our most holiest when we are on our knees in desperate need of Him…praying…pleading if necessary…looking to our Father…
But you know, faith too, is a gift of God—freely given…gladly given to us…but only do we receive these through His Word and Sacraments—and these too, are more gifts to us.
And we scarcely know just how willing He is to give, to do, and provide for us. He is FOR US always.
Otherwise, the sinner striving—all that hustle-bustle in the world—that mad dash…that working for the weekend…that accumulating of material things…
26 This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
For the unrepentant and unbelieving sinner…that is all that will be left. Air. All too soon gone….
But for those of the faith…we inherit the earth. Jesus says so. And not this old one that requires so much to maintain.
A new one. One in which the fruit of it bears 100-fold produce all year long. For this and for all things, we Give Him the honor, the praise and the thanks. Enjoy.
Amen.
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