On the Past and Uncertain Future: Reflections on Ecclesiastes

Even after 30 years of reading and studying the Bible, I am still amazed at the insight God provides through His written word. I probably have read Ecclesiastes over 10 times. Each time something "new" pops out. Last night, I was captivated halfway through chapter 7. Both verses 10 and 14 are still swirling through my head. These verses provide human instruction for living "under the sun" - the time prior to God bring down His kingdom, "the new heavens and the new earth."

Verse 7 warns us not to seek the "former days." Solomon insists that asking the question, "Why were the former days better than these?" does not stem "from wisdom." If we look to the past and long for the good ol' days, our minds are distracted from the present. We deny God's providential care NOW, seeking to escape our present circumstances in which He has placed us. It is a subtle complaint against the Divine Majesty - both a questioning and fist-shaking at His present goodness.

But we should not think a certain, self-created, future utopia is the solution to man's escapist thinking. In verse 14, Solomon tells us that God brings both prosperity and adversity "so that man may not find out anything that will be after him." The implication of Solomon's words are astounding: God does not want us to find certainty from our circumstances while we live 'under the sun'. Interpreting our present circumstances as an indication of a blissful future both assumes and presumes upon God's future actions. Solomon, therefore, instructs us to be "joyful" during prosperity and to "consider" God's Sovereignty during adversity - He brings both upon us. Of course, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So why should we joyfully praise Him only when times are good? His character is the same when times are tough.

For Christians, Solomon's affirmation to focus on the present has a unique meaning. For what is true about the present? Christ is presently reigning "above the sun." For a short time, He lived "under the sun," only to complete His mission and bring together the past, present, and future. He sits at the "right hand of God, the Father Almighty." He is now "crowned with glory and honor." And, as Paul tells us, "our [present] life is hid with Christ, in God." It is not longer we who live, but "Christ lives through" us.

How, then, do we fulfill Solomon's call to true wisdom? By focusing on Christ, "who is our life." May we banish all human utopias, both past and future. Instead, as we live here under the sun, let us realize what our Savior has done, is doing, and will do. He Himself - who presently lives - is making all things new.