Vanity and Futility

Vanity and Futility

anity and Futility“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecc. 1:2). When asked what the most difficult book of the Bible is, many people will point to the book of Revelation. Undoubtedly, John’s Revelation is challenging. There is much that can be said about it, and some things that we certainly do not fully comprehend. However, I would contend the Ecclesiastes is perhaps just as puzzling in some ways. 

When we begin to read through the entire Bible we see the hope of God’s redemption as the thread that binds it all together. When we come to the New Testament, Christ and His Apostles make it clear that the work and toil that is done for Him is of everlasting value. It can be quite puzzling or even unsettling when we come to Ecclesiates and the Preacher begins to explain that every pursuit in life is vain, pointless, unsatisfying, and nothing more than striving after the wind. 

This is, in my estimation, why Ecclesiates is often overlooked and forgotten by many. Yet, with some patience and consideration, there is a wealth of wisdom to be had from Ecclesiastes. In fact, it goes hand in hand with the book of Proverbs. The Preacher of Ecclesiates, who is most likely King Solomon, gives many proverbs throughout the book and even signals back to Proverbs on several occasions. So then, what is Ecclesiates good for?

Ecclesiastes highlights the vanity and futility of seeking ultimate fulfillment upon the earth. A man’s work, knowledge, and legacy cannot and will not satisfy because death will certainly take it all. The Preacher makes us come face to face with the reality of mortality and the grave. The conclusion that he comes to at the end is that man’s duty is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecc. 12:13). We must look beyond the sun to the Son for true and everlasting fulfillment while being sobered by the reality of our present state and the reality of the grave. The conclusion, Seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 12:31).