THE WHOLE MATTER OF PURPOSE

“Let us hear the conclusion of THE WHOLE MATTER: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s ALL” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

Having mused on meaninglessness, the Wise Man concluded on THE WHOLE MATTER of PURPOSE: “Let us hear the conclusion of THE WHOLE MATTER: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s ALL” (Ecc.12:13). Without God, nothing in life can enjoy a worthy Conclusion! Solomon began his reflections on the note of Vanity: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, ALL is vanity” (Ecc.1:2). He almost concluded on the same miserable tone: “VANITY of VANITIES,” says the Preacher, “ALL is VANITY” (Ecc.12:8). However, the Spirit of God redirected his heart and words along the Highway of Hope, and he wrote: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them” (v.1).

Some Bible scholars suggest that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life. They believe he wrote Song of Songs when he was young and in love, collated Proverbs throughout his life, and after wasting years, looking back in life’s rearview mirror, he sat down as an old man to write this most brutal, painful, but helpful book ever written to young people standing on life’s threshold. He began with the perspective of life “under the sun” (Ecc.2:17,19-22). This was a “worldly view” of life, without connection to God or revelation from God; a godless life lived solely by limited insights gleaned by experience without any word from God – Life as the world sees it, not as God sees it.

After reiterating that life is fleeting, slipping through our fingers, vanishing like mist, and that the end-of-life creeps up on us when we are least aware, Solomon’s quest for understanding the meaning of life, led him to conclude on a more constructive and positive note. From God’s perspective, life is not only about being born, having a brief, fleeting existence trying to find happiness, and then dying! Life is not empty, futile, pointless or meaningless. Life is not a meaningless fool’s parade that ends with one final step off a cliff. We are not accidents of creation. We were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psa.139:14-15). God created us with definite Purposes and Plans.

Ultimately, Life’s Purpose is for us to have relationship of Faith and fellowship of Love with the Creator of the Universe. Connection with our Lord and Redeemer, is the Conclusion of the Whole Matter of Purpose: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s ALL” (v.13). This purpose cannot be found “under the sun” but in the Light of Eternity! This revelation makes meaningless lives meaningful, and changes futility into Fulfilment and vanity into Victory. These words of Rick Warren – in ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ – capture the Whole Matter: “Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.”