Ecclesiastes 1.1-11 - Life is an Illusion!

Leia em Português

      “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” (v. 1). The author of this book used only two verses to introduce it. Early on he says the Preacher, who speak of human undertakings that do not seek the glory of God, he was a son of David and was king of Jerusalem. The only son of David, which fits the characteristics of Preacher is Solomon. Although he is not identified by name, Solomon became the literary spokesman of the author's observations and beliefs. He is the king of Jerusalem because of his wealth, wisdom and earthly concerns, have ample opportunity to experience life in its entirety.

       The Wise says this about life: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (v. 2). Another version says: “It's an illusion, an illusion", says Wise. Everything is an illusion. According to these introductory words, life is pure illusion. We know that life was created by God, and He created something that will be useless? Of course not, but after the fall of man, a life without God is useless. From this perspective anything in this world is nothing more than an illusion. There's no advantage whatever is not done for the glory of God.

      Everythe human existence, when lived apart from God, it is frustrating and unsatisfactory. All material things and pleasures of life, when pursued because of themselves, produce nothing except misery and a sense of futility.

       The word vanity means basically "steam" as the breath we breathe condensed on a cold day. Emphasizes the speed with which things disappear and some that offer while in possession of them, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). This, however, must be understood not with reference to the universe, but all activities of this life, things “under the sun” (v. 3). The subsequent context indicates this quite clearly. The author is not a pessimistic, he is simply being pessimistic about the human existence that seeks to produce satisfaction apart from God.

      So we can agree with Ecclesiastes when he asks the question: “What profit hath man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun”(v. 3). The word “profit” conveys the idea of ​​“advantage” (Ec 7:11). If a person sees life simply in terms of land values​​, there is no discernible advantage to fight and toil. The author then proceeds to prove his thesis through an examination of the various sectors of human activity.

     A living without a purpose that is in accordance with the highest purpose that God has for us, is a useless living. Before our salvation were useless to God because of Christ we become useful to him. Life is like a vapor, is a pure illusion as well as a fog dissipates in the air. The question is, what kind of fog that is your life, useful or useless.