APR 6

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3
Memorise James 4:14
“Vanity of vanities… vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

The word translated as ‘vanity’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘hebel’, which literally means air, vapour or breath. It is used to signify the meaning as translated in Ecclesiastes, as that which is vain, empty, temporal and unsatisfactory. Out of 72 times that the word ‘vanity’ occurs in the Old Testament, 38 of them are found in this book. Thus more than half of the occurrences of this word are found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the meaning and significance of this word is key to our understanding of the book. The phrase ‘vanity of vanities’ in Hebrew is really just the same word repeated twice in a slightly different form. When it is expressed in this manner, it is used emphatically, where the thought is emphasised, meaning ‘extremely vain’ or ‘the vainest’. What Solomon means, when he decries various things as being vain, is that these are empty, unsatisfactory and lamentable experiences that are really deceitful to the soul, for they seem to promise much, but deliver little. It shows how the things of this earth are but fleeting pleasures that will soon pass away.

This word thus represents the central theme to which the book of Ecclesiastes will compare life to. From the opening phrase in Ecclesiastes 1:2, Solomon states: ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.’, and all the way at the end, he concludes with the same thought: ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.’ (Ecclesiastes 12:8). Throughout the whole book, he will repeat this thought over and over again, as he brings up various experiences and observations that he had. One would be reminded of a similar statement that James would make, where he exhorts his readers to consider, ‘Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away’ (James 4:14).

We must realise that these statements are not the despairing cry of a jaded individual on the brink of suicide, but rather the right view of life that we should all adopt, when looking at the world and all the temporal pleasures that it has to offer. Solomon was viewing the world from a believer’s perspective, having eternity’s values in view. He realised that any worldly pursuit that man has is vain, being temporal, unsatisfactory, and useless. It is only through God, and living a life for him that we can break free from the vanity of life, and lead a fulfilling life in Christ.

Thought: Is my life a life of vanity?
Prayer: Lord may You help me to pursue the excellent things of Thee, and not the vain things of this world.