Search for Meaning

Introduction

At some point in our lives most of us ask fundamental questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What am I supposed to do with my life? These are not questions we ask once and forget. As children, people ask us “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and our immature minds begin to explore possibilities. As we grow older—in late high school or college—the question shifts. It is no longer what do you want to be, but what are you going to do with your life? What is your major? What career will you pursue? We have to decide.

But the questions do not stop there. At different crossroads in our lives we ask the same type of questions. Maybe at what may be called midlife we take a look back and see missed opportunities, failures, and fears which discouraged us from pursuing loftier goals. We have regrets and begin to think “Is this what I want to spend the rest of my life doing?” Even as we age and move toward retirement, we ask similar questions. But with the advent of retirement we do not stop asking. As health deteriorates, the question changes perspective. No longer is it about what one may do with life, but why life is continuing when purpose and meaning no longer seem relevant. Such words still call into question the purpose and meaning of life even when none is seen. It would be safe to say that there is a cycle to life. As young people we wonder about the purpose of life and as we approach death we still wonder if the breath we take in has any meaning.

What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? These are questions that must be answered in some way; otherwise, life is lived in meaningless ways. Like a ship without a rudder, like a balloon with no one to hold it in place, wherever the wind may blow we move in that direction and we hope that disaster will not overtake us. The Bible is not silent about such experiences. The Bible is not silent about purpose and meaning. In fact, there is an entire writing with themes which hinge on understanding the purpose and meaning of life. Ecclesiastes is that writing, and the author allows his readers to experience his struggles and to share in those struggles as he searches for real meaning and purpose in life. The point of the writing is to bring others to wisdom. Today we will hear his words.

The View

From the text, we can see that the author takes a fairly pessimistic view of life. But that may be deceiving for the overall view of the text. There are several texts which suggest that the author saw life in a very favorable light. For instance, in 3:13, the author says that finding satisfaction in life is a gift from God and in 5:18—20 the same sentiment is expressed. The author’s intent is to convince the readers that real purpose and meaning is found in relationship with God, but that is not to ignore the truth that there is much in life which is enjoyable. These enjoyable things come from God, but there is also the realization that the things of this life will not ultimately bring meaning, purpose, and satisfaction.

But the first eleven verses of Ecclesiastes set the stage for the intent of the author. Reading the text should cause us to have feelings of despair and meaninglessness. The author’s intent is to create within the mind of the reader this overall view: pursue the things of this life and you will be deeply disappointed. The only thing that brings real satisfaction, meaning, and purpose is a relationship with God. Wise words indeed. The author makes this point repeatedly by giving us an overview of his pursuit of different facets of life. But with each pursuit the same conclusion is brought forward—pursuing this item to its fullest does not bring meaning and purpose.

In 1:9—11, the author recognizes a truth: human achievements are soon forgotten and lose any significance they may have had. New achievements are mere repetitions of former achievements. Consider electricity. We now take for granted that it exists. Some may be able to remember when electricity was a new phenomena, but we enter rooms throwing the switch which causes the bulb to burn and never think a thing about it. We no longer stop and say “would you look at that? That’s amazing.” I want to make a name for myself—this pursuit is ultimately meaningless.

In 1:12—18, the author recognizes a truth: education and wisdom do not bring meaning and purpose. The author is not speaking against learning but through learning the author becomes aware that wisdom only makes one aware of how little he knows. The more you learn the more you realize that you have more to learn. Wisdom is preferred to ignorance (2:12—14), but wisdom leaves us realizing that there is much more to know (8:16—17). Besides, the fate of the wise man is the same as that of the fool—both die (2:16). Wisdom does not prolong life, but wisdom is preferred to foolishness.

In 2:1—3, the author recognizes a truth: worldly pleasures do not bring meaning. Enjoying the best that this life has to offer does not ultimately bring meaning and purpose. The best food, the best wine, the best comedy does not bring ultimate satisfaction to life.

In 2:4—11, the author recognizes a truth: wealth does not bring meaning. With wealth one can give himself to building projects, gardens, parks, obtaining servants, amassing large holdings, and constantly having music, but these things do not bring satisfaction. The author realizes that amassed wealth has to go to someone else when one dies (2:21).

In 2:18—23, the author recognizes a truth: hard work does not bring ultimate meaning. While there is satisfaction in hard work, the fruit of the hard work must be given to another for death will bring an end to life. All of these possible pursuits to find meaning and purpose fail to bring what is most wanted. Any of these can bring pleasure and satisfaction. All of these are to be enjoyed and appreciated, but none of these give ultimate meaning to life. The author’s intent is to drive his readers to the conclusion which can only be drawn—meaning and purpose can only be found beyond the things of this life.

Lessons

God graciously gives us things in this life to enjoy, but these things do not bring ultimate meaning and purpose. Wealth, education, hard work, and pleasures of this life are gifts from God. But if we pursue these things trying to capture meaning from them, we will only be disappointed. Barry Baker is reliving the life of the author of Ecclesiastes. He is learning what the author knew—meaning and purpose are not found in things or the quality of life. These gifts from God are for our enjoyment but not the end of the matter.

We have to decide what our priorities are. Since we all struggle at some point in life with the questions dealing with purpose and meaning, we must learn to discern between the things that are truly important and things that just occupy our time, energy, and effort. We have to decide what we would and wouldn’t miss. Of all the things you possess, what brings real meaning? As a Christian, what would you miss most of all? The author of Ecclesiastes knew the answer to that question. He pursued many things. Many of those things brought pleasure and enjoyment, but they could not bring ultimate meaning and purpose. Only God can do that. Only God can help us to extend our thinking beyond this life to the one to come. Only God can help us to see beyond the immediate and the temporary to that which is permanent—our relationship with him.

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