Eld Ko Swee Chay

Life on Earth is Temporal - Ecclesiastes 1:4-8

 Introduction

The manner in which most men live on earth and behave is as though they are going to live forever, but God’s Word clearly tells us otherwise – humanity is temporal and transitory: “… one generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” (Eccl 1:4); “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, and we fly away.” (Ps 90:10).  Realising and remembering this hard truth will help us to have a right perspective and focus on life: to find a solution to death; to focus on things spiritual; to live a God-fearing, God-honouring and Christ-centered life in holiness, godliness, and righteousness according to God’s Word and will.   

The Temporal Character of Human Existence (Eccl 1:4)

The Preacher proclaimed, “one generation passeth away, another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever.”

The earth is like a theater stage – actors coming in, passing through and leaving before our eyes. The director of the show decides when each actor should come on stage, the duration of his stay and when he should leave the stage. This is no different from our lives on earth. Solomon says, “everybody is coming and going but the earth remains the same through the ages.” God alone decides for each one of us the day of birth, life span on earth, and the day of death. We see the inhabitants of the earth continually changing and renewing, one generation passes away to make room for the next generation. Grandparents and parents are going, children and grandchildren are coming.

We see before our eyes the brevity of life and the certainty of death. This reminds us that our lives on earth are transitory and very brief, and that we have no lasting part or inheritance in this world. We are just a traveler or sojourner, only passing through the earth for a season of time determined solely by God. We therefore need to constantly remind ourselves that this earth is not our home, we are the citizens of heaven, our home is over there. Then we will not fall into the snare of spending our whole lives focusing our attention on the needs and desires and attractions of this transient earthly existence, but rather focus on seeking the solution to death and life after death, the assurance of our salvation, and things spiritual that have eternal value.

Let us take heed that the ultimate destiny of the earth is that it will be burned up (2 Pe 3:10). Our satisfaction, joy and happiness are eternal life in heaven, “… there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain …” (Rev 21:4).  

The Continual Existence of Nature (Eccl 1:5-7)

“The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place where from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.”  

These three verses illustrate the continual existence and mundane cyclical operations of nature directed by God: sun, wind, and rivers, in contrast to the transient and changeableness of man. The sun, after so many thousand courses, rises, and goes down … hasting to its place. The wind is always moving, returning again according to its circuits. The water of the rivers run into the sea, which yet is not full, but returns them to the earth in clouds and vapours through vapourisation, as rain through condensation or as snow through freezing. From what Solomon could observe “under the sun”, these unchanging nature cycles express the monotony of human life, its vanity and meaninglessness. Despite the continual and uninterrupted action and constant motion of everything in nature, there is no completion or rest for anything, a description of the futility of human endeavour. 

Seeing the disciplined but mundane operations of nature such as the sun, wind and rivers that follow certain definite, specific laws and constant movements combined with sameness throughout the years, man ought to acknowledge and turn to God, the powerful Creator and Controller of heaven and earth and all things. God alone can give us meaning, purpose and satisfaction in life through His written Word. By the renewing of our mind through diligent study of the Word of God and persevering prayer, having God as Lord and Master in our life, and living according to His Word and will, life will no longer be mundane and vain but delightful and joyful. Our Lord and our God is the only living and true God who can give us eternal rest and everlasting happiness. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28).

The Dissatisfaction of Seeing and Hearing (Eccl 1:8)   

“All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing: nor the ear filled with hearing.”  Also Ecclesiastes 4:8 “….. yet is there no end of all his labour: neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.”       

Solomon observed that the monotony of life is not only reflected in nature. This frustration is also evident in human efforts and endeavours. Despite all man’s labour, seeing, and hearing, he is still not satisfied. Solomon spoke from his own life experience: all things are full of labour, meaning all things including those that are good and pleasant, riches and possessions, are weariness and toil. Man is relentlessly and restlessly pursuing the things and attractions of the earth, wanting more riches and possessions, wanting more enjoyment and leisure. Man is never satisfied, never contented. This refers to our inability to find either meaning or satisfaction in our labour and life. Solomon was saying, “It is impossible to fully articulate the monotony of life, everything appears so unutterably weary and tiresome.” No man can utter or express all the things of life that are laborious and wearisome, particularly “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing”.

Man can never find satisfaction, regardless of what he has seen or heard. They never say, “It is enough, I desire no more”. Since the advent of television, computer, mobile phone, internet and all kinds of modern IT tools, people spend hours and day after day on seeing, hearing and on-line shopping. This is because the eye is never satisfied with seeing; the ear is never filled with hearing. We have free access to all written, audio and video information and freely share with each other. The more we see and hear, the more we want to see and hear. This applies to acquiring and accumulation of material things, travelling to see places in other countries, leisure, and entertainment. We are attracted by new and fashionable products and crave for them, be it clothing, shoes, handbags, watches, hand phones or cars; always seeking for new and exciting things. When we have gotten them, we are thrilled and delighted. After using them for a while, we get sick and tired of them, and crave for something else. This goes on and on. Solomon aptly says, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” (Eccl 5:10).

The only way to persist in living this “wearisome and mundane life” as described by Solomon is to draw nigh to God in Christ and depend on the grace and strength from God. The Word of God enables and empowers us to find the meaning and purpose of our transient earthly existence. The glorious and blessed hope of resurrection and eternal life with God in heaven adds an eternal value to the things which we do on earth now. If we as Christians feel that our lives are getting wearisome and mundane, it is time to examine our lives and rethink our walk with Christ, desires, and the eternal value in what we are doing. May the Lord help and enable us to live a blessed and meaningful life for His glory. AMEN.