As we near the end of the wisdom of the Preacher, he tells us to enjoy the days of our youth which are a gift from God. Yet, do so knowing that everything you do under the sun will come under judgement of God. Turning the chapter he uses beautiful poetry to remind us that those days of youth are also fleeting and we will all age unto death. What is the key to life? Remember your Creator in your youth and in your aging.
By being honest about life’s troubles, Ecclesiastes touches the hearts of people who struggle. As much as anything else, Ecclesiastes is for people who have their doubts about God but can’t stop thinking about him. It is a book in which we keep struggling with the problems of life and, as we struggle, we learn to trust God with the questions even when we do not have all the answers. Ecclesiastes powerfully communicates how human life is meaningless without God at the center. Ecclesiastes speaks to a world that is looking for satisfaction in wealth, relationships, vocation and pleasure, and points people to the one and only God who alone gives true satisfaction and joy.
