Ecclesiastes 2:12–17 – Real life is found in Christ

Like it or not most people have an inquisitive and curious mind. This is even more obvious among three or four years old children. Their curiosity is simply unfathomable. Like a toddler, driven by his quest for a meaningful life, Solomon, full of curiosity, asked questions relentlessly. Questions that begin with the wrong premise can be disconcerting. No matter how many we may ask, when we begin with the wrong premise, we will never arrive at the desired conclusion. It is said that answers to life is often found in asking the right questions. But we will be disappointed and frustrated when we ask right questions at the wrong place, or we go to the right place but ask the wrong questions. All these happened to Solomon.

So far, he had discovered that secular wisdom failed to give him what he was searching for, and neither did morality nor pleasures. He then went in search through other means which also proved fruitless. So, he returned to reconsider and take a relook at secular wisdom and pleasure again. This is quite common among people. Having failed at the first attempt and go about other means, then come back to where they had earlier tried and failed, and re-walk through again. Perhaps they could be second time fortunate. So, we find in verse 12 he echoed what he said earlier in Ecclesiastes 1:13 and 17. He returned to re-examine wisdom, madness and folly. And found that wisdom, though unable to answer every one of his question, was still more advantageous than a mad fool.  

In these verses he also contrasted between wisdom and folly in terms of light and darkness. Light of course is better than darkness. The fact is clear, with wisdom one can at least think through and be illuminated. But a fool experiences only darkness. However, his conclusion is that whether wise or foolish, both share the same end. Whatever they have, would equally be forgotten. At the graveyard you find scholars as well as the unlearned. Death is the great equalizer of mankind. One can hold a doctoral degree and one who barely passed his PSLE, are equally susceptible to death. There is no exception to this experience. All have to pass through it. He was certain that “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” As usual his common refrain is “this also is vanity.”

With impending death, it seems foolhardy to think about life. The more he thought about it, the more he loathed life. To be frustrated with life is one thing but to hate it, is quite another. The only remedy it seems is to find wisdom that comes from above the sun perspective. This is where Paul’s comforting word in Colossians 3:1-4 takes on a new dimension. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” These verses help us to view life form another plane. We can love life now instead of hating it. When we view life from Jesus’ perspective, we see life, glory and hope, now and for all eternity. Glory to His name!