There is nothing better for people to do than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their work. I saw that even this comes from the hand of God. Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God? (Eccl 2:24-25 GW) [context– Eccl 2:22-26]
Job Satisfaction
There was a time when job security was the most important thing about having a job. This has been true at various times throughout history. Just to have gainful employment was an accomplishment.
Currently, people expect and want fulfillment and significance in their work. It’s called job satisfaction. This isn’t bad. We all want to have significance and value in life and this is true for our livelihoods.
But, like so many things in this life, we desire to have even more or to push beyond previous accomplishments or limitations.
Countless suicides of famous people illustrate how elusive contentment and satisfaction can be. And suicide for some people isn’t limited to a singular event. It may be seen in a long drawn out destructive way of life.
Why is this? What’s missing?
Why do some people seem content and satisfied in life while others aren’t?
Perhaps it’s a lack of discipline and being driven by a need for immediate gratification. Today, as in times past, some say we just need to be more mindful and present in life each day.
These and other reasons may all be factors in finding contentment and satisfaction in life. But there is a more simple and attainable answer.
Insights
Reading the end of Ecclesiastes Chapter 2, it would be easy to get lulled back into Solomon’s cynical view of life. He continues with his oft-repeated theme of how pointless life is under the sun.
But these last few verses of this chapter hold a surprise. Solomon gives a reason to find contentment and satisfaction in life and with our work.
He also gives a slightly optimistic perception of what we see as a legacy but in a broader sense than a single person. As with Proverbs, we are given a generalized perspective on what is left behind after death.
Although somewhat optimistic, Solomon ends with his recurrent conclusion— Even this is pointless. ⌊It’s like⌋ trying to catch the wind.
Let’s consider what Solomon sees as a reason to be encouraged. At first, it may sound like a concession. It’s as if Solomon hates to admit there’s a way to be content and satisfied with one’s life and work, “There is nothing better…”.
But this is more than a consolation prize, it’s “…from the hand of God”. It’s a gift from God. Solomon doubles down on this thought when he says, “Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God?”
Even though the curse for the disobedience of eating from the forbidden tree was hard work (Gen 3:17-19), Solomon sees a merciful and redemptive view of work. He expands on this more in later chapters.
There’s a promise hidden in these encouraging thoughts— God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him (Eccl 2:26 GW). This is based on a simple trust in God (Heb 11:6).
The contrast to not trusting in God as a person of faith is seen in the continuation of verse 26—
But to the person who continues to sin, he gives the job of gathering and collecting ⌊wealth⌋. The sinner must turn his wealth over to the person who pleases God.
These few verses at the end of Chapter 2 remind us of our opportunity to choose how we perceive things.
Existential Reflections
Nihilism and nihilistic thought are once again in vogue. As with most everything, it cycles in and out of popularity relative to various cultural shifts.
Solomon appears to have a nihilistic point of view but not quite. His recurring assessments of things in life as pointless are tempered with encouraging insights, as in these few verses.
Cynicism and a nihilistic mindset are easy to cultivate when a person only sees a negative view of life on earth (under the sun). But that’s a choice, not a foregone conclusion.
I can become cynical until I realize where this point of view leads. Personally, I see cynicism and nihilism as jaded attitudes of arrogance and pride.
It’s like saying, “I know better than others but I don’t care,” or “…it doesn’t matter.” A more simple way of saying this is— What’s the point?
This attitude can result in a series of false and foolish conclusions. Why bother voting when all politicians are corrupt? Why bother working when I can hardly make ends meet?
This is the problem with cynicism. It leads to a dead end.
Arrogance is a form of self-exaltation and leads to an isolated and withdrawn mindset. We can’t see beyond ourselves and our view of things.
Everything—all life on earth—has a time-limited life span. Even the time we think we have can be cut short. When our whole worldview revolves around ourselves as central and most important, then life will appear pointless.
Solomon’s realization of what brings satisfaction—the existence of and presence of God—changed his view of life. It brought him to view life from a different perspective. He saw life continues beyond himself.
Do you wonder if there’s value in your job or life’s work?
Does life seem unbearable to you?
When we only consider our earthbound limited view of things, it’s easy to become cynical and see everything in this life as pointless.
But when we look through the lens of faith—a genuine trust in God—we can find contentment and satisfaction in our lives and our livelihoods.
This is an excerpt from my newest book available on Amazon! Glimmers of Light in the Darkness of Life
Here are some Study Questions for the first chapter of Ecclesiastes(click on link to download)— Study_Questions-Eccl_Chap 2
The Scripture text for this devotional study can be found by clicking the blue button link– “Ecclesiastes Chap 2” (chapter number and text will change chapter to chapter).
I’ve used God’s Word Translation (GW) for ease of reading but the button link will take you to the text in a parallel version with the NKJV text.
Also, for further commentary, I recommend Enduring Word by Ptr David Guzik.
