Jacqui: 0:00

Greetings, listeners, and welcome to all of you tuning in from all around the world. I'm so glad you're here today because we're exploring one of the most poetic and thought-provoking books in the Bible Ecclesiastes. Have you ever felt like life just moves too quickly, like it's all rushing by and you can barely make sense of it? Or maybe you've had those moments where you've asked yourself does anything I do even matter? If so, you're not alone. Ecclesiastes wrestles with those exact questions and, honestly, it doesn't give us the answers we'd expect. At its core, ecclesiastes reminds us of two big truths. First, life is fleeting. But second, this life isn't all there is. Everything we do for God truly matters, truly matters. So today we're going to journey into this incredible book and see what it has to teach us about life's big questions. Well, welcome everyone. I'm your host, jackie Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where, weekly, we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. Let's start with the basics.

Jacqui: 1:29

Ecclesiastes is part of the Bible's wisdom literature, alongside books like Proverbs and Job. It's traditionally a tribute to King Solomon as the author, although some scholars debate that the author refers to himself as Kohelet or the teacher or preacher. In this episode, we'll refer to him as the teacher. Now, what's Ecclesiastes all about? Well, it's an honest reflection on the search for meaning. Reflection on the search for meaning. The teacher looks at life from every angle success, work, wealth, pleasure and asks is it all worth it? His conclusion is that life apart from God is meaningless. Everything we chase after in this world fades like a breath of air. We chase after in this world fades like a breath of air. That brings us to one of the key words in Ecclesiastes meaningless. The Hebrew word here is hebel, h-e-b-e-l, and it literally means vapor or breath. Some Bible translations use the word vanity. The teacher uses this word 35 times in the book to describe the things we chase after in life power, money, status that are fleeting and hard to grasp. It's like trying to catch smoke in your hands.

Jacqui: 3:01

A phrase that stands out in Ecclesiastes is under the sun, which appears 29 times. This is the teacher's way of describing life in this world, without factoring in God's eternal perspective. It's life as we see it from a human point of view, with all its unfairness, uncertainties and injustices. For example, the teacher wrestles with oppression, writing in chapter 4, verse 1, quote I saw the tears of the oppressed and they have no comforter. Power was on the side of their oppressors. Unquote. No-transcript. He also acknowledges life's uncertainties in chapter 9, verse 11. Quote the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to them all. Unquote.

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Sometimes life just doesn't go the way we think it should. And then there's the injustice of it all. In chapter 3, verse 16, the teacher laments Even systems meant to uphold justice are often broken. What makes Ecclesiastes so powerful is that it forces us to wrestle with this perspective. It asks the big, painful questions why does life feel so repetitive? Why do we work so hard only for the results to fade? And why does life seem so unfair? These questions hit close to home because we all face them at some point. But here's the thing Ecclesiastes doesn't leave us stuck in despair. The teacher shows us that the ultimate meaning of life isn't found under the sun. He challenges us to look beyond this temporary broken world and to lift our eyes to God. While life may feel fleeting or unfair, ecclesiastes reminds us that God is sovereign, he's just and eternal. There's a bigger picture, and God invites us to trust him with it. So what does Ecclesiastes teach us about life and how to live it.

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Let's look at three key themes together. Theme one life is temporary, but it's not all there is. The teacher doesn't shy away from reminding us of life's temporary nature. In chapter three, verse 12, he says, quote I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Unquote. Life is short like a vapor, but instead of letting that discourage us, the teacher encourages us to enjoy the simple blessings God gives. In chapter 2, verses 24 through 26, he says, quote a person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God. Unquote. Think about these moments in life a family dinner, a peaceful walk outside, a quiet morning with coffee. Ecclesiastes reminds us that these are gifts from God. Even in a broken world, he gives us joy and purpose in the little things. But here's the bigger point these moments are meant to point us towards something greater.

Jacqui: 7:16

In Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 11, the teacher writes, quote God has set eternity in the human heart. Unquote. That means we're wired to know that this life isn't all there is, like CS Lewis says in Mere Christianity , if I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world. Unquote. That longing for something more, that's longing for eternity, and only God can satisfy it.

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The second theme is this Everything we do for God has eternal value. Life might feel fleeting, but that doesn't mean it's meaningless. The teacher encourages us to live fully, knowing that God values our faithfulness. In chapter 9, verses 7 through 10, he writes quote go eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Unquote. This is a call to live intentionally. It's about doing the best we can with the life God has given us, even in the ordinary things like enjoying a meal, working hard or loving those around us. And here's the promise God is watching and we're accountable to him.

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The teacher concludes Ecclesiastes with this powerful reminder in chapter 12, verse 14, quote for God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it's good or evil. Unquote. This means that no action, no matter how small or hidden, escapes God's notice While life under the sun might feel unfair or uncertain, now, God will ultimately judge every person and bring justice. We're reminded to live in a way that honors him, knowing we will one day stand before him, knowing we will one day stand before him. Finally, theme number three, ecclesiastes challenges us to see life through God's eyes.

Jacqui: 9:50

The teacher is brutally honest about life's challenges, the uncertainties, the injustices, the frustrations. But he also reminds us that God is sovereign and we can trust him. In chapter 3, verse 14, the teacher declares quote I know that everything God does will endure forever. Nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it, so people will fear him. Unquote. This verse reminds us that God's plans are unchanging, eternal and perfect. Even when life feels confusing or unfair, we can rest in knowing that he is in control. When we trust God, we can find joy even in life's uncertainties. It's like viewing life through a different lens. Instead of chasing after temporary things, we can shift our focus from temporary worries to eternal hope.

Jacqui: 10:56

So what does Ecclesiastes mean for us right now? Well, let me leave you with two practical takeaways. First, ecclesiastes reminds us to enjoy life as a gift from God. The teacher says in chapter 8, verse 15, quote. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad unquote. This isn't a call to indulgence or selfishness. Instead, it's a reminder to approach life with gratitude. Think about the simple moments a warm meal, a good conversation or time spent with loved ones. These moments are blessings from a generous God. So pause, notice them and give thanks. Life is fleeting, but these moments show us God's goodness. Second, Ecclesiastes challenges us to live joyfully and reverently before God with a deep quote fear of the Lord unquote. The teacher reminds us again and again that life is complex and fleeting, but the one constant is God's sovereignty and our accountability to him.

Jacqui: 12:24

Ecclesiastes, chapter 12, verses 13 and 14 bring the whole book to its conclusion. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind, for God will bring every deed into judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear isn't about being afraid of him. It's about honoring him with reverence, awe and trust. Fearing God means having a reverence for him that greatly impacts the way we live the fear of God is respecting him, obeying him, submitting to his discipline and worshiping him in awe. When we keep God at the center, we can embrace joy even in life's uncertainties, and live with hope, knowing he will make all things right in the end right in the end.

Jacqui: 13:46

As we come to the close of Ecclesiastes, we're reminded of its timeless wisdom. Life is fleeting and this world can often feel confusing, unfair and uncertain, but that's not the whole story. Ecclesiastes calls us to something greater to live with joy and gratitude for God's daily blessings, while revering him and keeping his eternal perspective in mind. So, as you go about your day, take time to enjoy the gifts God has given you A good meal, a kind conversation or the satisfaction of hard work but also live with the fear of the Lord, honoring him in how you spend your days and trusting that he's sovereign and just. This is how we find joy and purpose in the midst of life's complexities, and purpose in the midst of life's complexities. Thank you for joining me today on this journey through Ecclesiastes. I hope it's challenged and encouraged you to think deeply about life, to trust God fully and to live well before him Until we meet again. Keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith so that we spread God's word further. Please share, like, follow, comment and subscribe.