“This world so broken? If God is good, why do we see so much evil?”
”What is the meaning to life?”
If you wanted to sum up the two main themes of this book, those would be it.
And they are questions that people ask to this day.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived aside from Jesus, said concerning these questions:
But beyond these (the wise words of our Shepherd), my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
How many books are out there trying to explain evil? How many philosophy and self-help books are out there trying to give people a better life, to give them meaning?
All those books may have some truth in them. Some can even prod us in good directions. For all true wisdom is from God (11), and by his grace, even unbelievers have some grasp of the truth.
But ultimately, all human wisdom fails and proves inadequate apart from God. And it will leave you tired and in despair.
There is only one conclusion that gives life. If we would just believe it, if we would just live it, we could toss out all other books and never miss them.
What is that conclusion?
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity.
For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. (13-14)
What is the answer to the problem of evil? Why do “good people” suffer?
Ultimately, these questions are beyond us and our limited minds. And because our minds our limited, we are in no position to question God and his goodness.
Rather, fear him. Because the day will come when he will judge all evil, including yours. And apart from Jesus and his work on the cross, no one will be able to stand before him.
What is the meaning to life? Keep his commands.
What are his commands? Love him. And love others. Everything else in life is ultimately meaningless because they are fleeting.
The only two things that go beyond this earthly life is our relationship with God, and our relationships with others who have put their faith in Jesus.
So let us invest our lives in our relationship with him, and spreading his kingdom. For only in these two things will we ever find meaning in life.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 