What's the Point? (A Study in Ecclesiastes: Part 3)Sample

DEATH COMES FOR US ALL

In Ecclesiastes 12, Q gives a poetic description of the onset of old age, as a person approaches the time of their physical death and prepares to go “to his eternal home.” We don’t often like to think about it, but life is fleeting and physical death is inevitable for us all. This may seem hard or depressing, but within the text, we see a foreshadowing of the truth that there is more to our lives than our physical “under the sun” experience. Q’s references to ‘eternal home’ and the spirit returning to God may demonstrate a belief that death is not the end. Even if the writer didn’t see it himself, his words present an unwitting prophecy of the saving work of Jesus to come. This is particularly interesting because the book of Ecclesiastes was written more than 500 years before the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which would ultimately deliver us from the power of death and make way for us to join Him in His eternal home. Based on the words of Q and those of Paul in 1 Corinthians, where is our ultimate hope, and what role does death play in our story?

Ask Yourself: How does the reality of eventual physical death make you feel? How does that impact your faith journey?

Pause to Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to deliver us from the eternal power of death! Help me to spend my time here ‘under the sun’ wisely and grant me comfort as I face ___________ in the meantime…

Take the Next Step: Spend some time journaling about the purpose you feel for your time on earth and exploring any fears you may have about the reality of death. Be sure to reflect on the hope of Jesus and the love of God as you do so.