Everything is meaningless ...

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“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. -Eccl 12:8,13-14

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This is the sad way that Solomon finishes Ecclesiastes. It is such a negative ending but exactly, word for word, the way he began it in chapter one. No words about God's love for us or our love for him in this book - only descriptions of life as meaningless and "chasing the wind". How is it that the so-called wisest man on earth did not understand that real and meaningful life is all about love? Could it be that Solomon was not as wise as people perceive him to be?

I wonder how much influence an unhealthy fear of God had in Solomon's life? I find it interesting how he distills it all down to fear, obedience and judgment. It is as if he is telling us to obey out of a fear of judgment. Hard to understand how such an intelligent person missed the most important aspect of life. How is it that he did not understand that we are called to obey because God loves us? How is it that Solomon did not understand that glorious command to love?

Your love gives our lives meaning Lord. Help us to be like you and find love in everything that we do.

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