July 1, 2023: Fear God And Keep His Commandments

"I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me," (Ecclesiastes 2:18, ESV)

The "Preacher' or writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes declared everything meaningless! Why? Because he sees all of man's accomplishments in the light of death. Death renders every status symbol and achievement obtained in this life 'meaningless!' Everything God does endures forever! (Ecclesiastes 3:14) Everything man does outside of eternity comes to nothing. What each one of us knows is we are sure to die. We know we will die. Without eternity in mind, all we do in this life comes to nothing. Thus, meaningless meaningless.
    
Life is full of trouble then you die. The 'Preachers' answer is to eat, drink and find enjoyment in one's work. Six times he says that as a positive outlook or approach to life. (2:24–26; 3:12–14; 3:22; 5:17–19 [English 5:18–20]; 8:15; 9:7–10) These words show us the futility and the foolishness of a life without an eternal perspective.
    
Every time the writer uses the words meaningless or vanity, he reminds us of how temporal, short, and unenduring this life is. Many have said that Ecclesiastes is Solomon's look back on his life and how meaningless he lived it. May none of us reach the end of our day and see just a vapor disappear.
    
The writer's final words are: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13, ESV)