REJOICE & REMEMBER

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Ecclesiastes 11:1–12:14

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P.C. Edwards

Introduction

The other night I was flipping through the channels on the T.V. when, much to my delight, I stumbled upon one of my favorite movies of all time, a film I believe to be one of the greatest motion pictures ever made. Now you all know me; you know I am a lover of fine art and

I don’t think its braggadocios to state that I have exquisite taste in things. This film proves that.

You see this film is a compelling story of a nobody who rises to the pinnacle of his field. He’s not particularly talented, doesn’t come from good family with strong connections, grows up in the bad part of the city. I mean truly, “His whole life was a million to one shot.” But through sheer will he rises to the top. Unfortunately the fame and wealth that success brings him ultimately leads him to get a bit soft in life and he loses it all. And so, in this film he is forced with either giving up and assuming that his glory days are behind him, or recovering that will to succeed that made him great in the first place. He chooses, of course, the latter, to rediscover what he once had, to get back that eye of the tiger. Of course, friends, you realize at this point that I am talking about the 1980 cinematic classic, Rocky III.

Rocky III is all about the champion boxer, Rocky Balboa, the Italian Stallion, getting back to basics and becoming the great fighter he once was. Because, the issue, you see, is that fame and wealth cause Rocky to lose his way, to forget what was once essential to who he was.

And so through the help of once-opponent-now-turned-friend-and-trainer, Apollo Creed, Rocky finds his way again to become champion once more.

You see, you may thinking I’m kidding this morning, but I can’t think of a better illustration to describe the story of the Teacher in the book of Ecclesiastes than Rocky III. The

Teacher is very much like the Italian Stallion. He has enjoyed success early in his life; he’s enjoyed wisdom, but he’s lost his way. Friends, we’ve been in this book for three months and

P.C. Edwards 1 we’ve seen just how lost the Teacher has been. There have been moments along the way when he has seemed close to finding his way back, and yet he’s not done so. Essentially, he’s been unable to find peace in knowing his own purpose in life and the overall meaning of life. It’s been grueling and depressing at times to go on this journey with him, but fortunately, our perseverance is rewarded this morning as we near the end of his journey.

Our passage here captures not only the meaning of life, but demonstrates how that meaning is found. Right? In other words, we know that true life and joy is found only in the fear of the Lord; the question from the book of Ecclesiastes has been more of how can we not just mentally know this truth, but how can we really know it in our souls and live it out. How do we each day, in each moment of each day, live our lives as God has created and redeemed us to do so? How can we find meaning under the sun? We discover this morning it is through rejoicing and remembering, for Even though life is a mystery to us and we often do not have the answers, in the knowledge of God as Creator we may find joy in each day and assurance for the future.

1. As finite creatures we cannot rightly understand the world 11:1–6

This breakthrough event begins for the Teacher with a restatement of what we’ve seen throughout this whole book, which is simply that as finite creatures we cannot rightly understand the world. Run your eyes over this series of proverbs and you see a common theme: no human can ever know the future. We never know how things will turn out. You can plan and plan and make educated guesses and calculated moves, but you never know for sure that your financial investments will work out; you never know if you’ll do well in this new job; you never know how your kids will turn out; you never know for sure what tomorrow’s weather will be.

In the seventeenth century a Scottish philosopher named David Hume would argue this reality ushering in the philosophical movement of skepticism. This movement would find greater

P.C. Edwards 2 articulation in Descartes and Kant, ultimately questioning whether or not we can know anything for certain. And there is a lot of truth in this movement, for human knowledge is imperfect. For the Teacher, he believes that God is providentially directing all things, but as far as we go, we as people never have any certain idea of what He will do. And so the Teacher warns us not to trust in reason or talents, in our wealth, in our abilities or in anything of ourselves, because we are ultimately not in control of anything. Quite simply, we have neither the ability nor the wisdom to solve the world’s problems.

Boy, if you and I though could actually just learn that truth how much headache and stress in our lives would disappear! Right? Like if we could really just actually believe that we have neither the power nor the wisdom to solve all of our own problems or the world’s problems, how much more peaceful would our lives be! But we don’t really believe this, do we? I mean we might say we do, but our actions often demonstrate something else. We act and talk as if we really do think we can solve everything on our own. We act and talk as if we do have the power to get ourselves out of crisis, to get this nation or world out of crisis. But we don’t. It’s only when the Teacher acknowledges that he doesn’t have the answers that then the Lord is able to speak true wisdom into His life.

You remember this whole book the Teacher has been making all these statements and all these conclusions based solely on his own wisdom and his own reason and his own observation.

He has been the lord of his own life; he’s been his own ultimate source of authority. He’s been judging everything around him according to whether or not it makes sense to him, according to whether or not it lines up with his values system. He’s been stubbornly determined to figure the world out on his own and to find joy and peace on his own. I mean isn’t it remarkable just how similar the Teacher is to the modern man and woman today? It’s about me, and what I think, and

P.C. Edwards 3 what I feel is right. If there is a greater authority than me, at most it is the opinion of the society in which I live. But that there might be an ultimately authority and power over all creation is doubtful; therefore, I will figure my life and this world out all on my own.

As we’ve seen though for weeks and weeks, this perspective and worldview just doesn’t work though. I mean take this postmodern worldview and test it in practice, and you soon find how inadequate it is for addressing and understanding the real issues and struggles of human existence. It hasn’t worked for the Teacher and it doesn’t work for you or for me. Finally, then, he comes to admit it! We don’t know. We have neither the ability to understand the world, to know what is best, or to do anything about it. If, therefore, any meaning in life can be found, it will not be here under the sun, but only from the One who reigns over it.

2. Only in ‘knowing’ God as Creator can daily joy be found 11:7–12:14

Thus, we receive the conclusion from the Teacher here in the rest of our passage: only in knowing God as Creator can daily joy be found. Look at verse 7. The Teacher has been essentially just complaining about life for eleven chapters now and then, all of the sudden, he says,

Light is sweet, and it is pleasing for the eyes to see the sun, (Ecclesiastes 11:7).

How has such a shift suddenly occurred? How does he move from his acknowledgement of ignorance about the world to suddenly finding joy in life? Well that’s what he lays out for us. It begins, he says in verses 8–10, with affirming the joy of life itself,

Indeed, if someone lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, since they will be many. All that comes is futile, (Ecclesiastes 11:8).

P.C. Edwards 4 His point is that, ‘Yes, in life you have days of darkness and struggle, but life itself is still a gift.

So enjoy life and find joy even in the hardships.’ Because here’s the thing, “Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment,” (Ecclesiastes 11:9c). Now what will God bring you into judgment for? For whether or not you rejoiced in life. I mean do you get what’s being taught here? Human beings should enjoy life because that is their divinely assigned portion. Joy is both the gift and command of God. You cannot be a ‘Debbie-Downer’ and a child of God.

You cannot be grumpy and a citizen of the Kingdom.

Now note we’re not saying that you have to be super bubbly and outgoing and all that.

Not at all. But God has made you and made this world for enjoyment. To not do so, therefore, is a refusal of His gift and command. God will one day call us to account for our failure to enjoy the life He has given us. Thus, verse 10,

Remove sorrow from your heart, and put away pain from your flesh, because youth and the prime of life are fleeting, (Ecclesiastes 11:10).

You see, this call to joy is not a call to complete, wild hedonism. No, the call of God on your life is to enjoy the life He has given you in the way He has called you to enjoy it.

We’ve talked about this too almost every week in the book, that the things of this world are not bad in and of themselves, but we can certainly use them in sinful, bad ways. So, by all means, enjoy the things of Creation, but only in the way which God has ordained. Thus, embracing joy and pursuing life meaning ultimately pursuing righteousness, literally what is just and right in the sight of God.

Now that’s obviously a lot easier to do when you’re in good health, without financial strain and the weather is sunny and 72. It can be a lot harder to do when you’re in poor health, financially destitute, and its cold and rainy. But does the Bible give any consideration as to your

P.C. Edwards 5 circumstances regarding when you should be joyful and when its ok not to be? Absolutely not.

What does James say? “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”

(James 1:2). He doesn’t say count it mostly joy or somewhat joy, but all joy. And when? Not just when things feel good but when you face trial and hardship.

Now, of course, James’ point isn’t just that you should put on a good face when things are tough. No, his point is that you can count it all joy because you have faith that whatever you’re going through, God is allowing it to conform you more and more into the likeness of his

Son, Jesus. Put James 1 and Ecclesiastes 11 together and what do you get? The reason we can and should be joyful in this life is because we have faith that whatever the day brings, our sovereign good God has permitted it because it is the very best thing for us.

Teresa and I often have this conversation when it comes to exercising and running. Like there is nothing better than going for a good hard run or having a strenuous work out and the next day being sore. You might think that’s stupid, but being sore is proof that you really pushed your body; that you’re taking your fitness and training to the next level. The burn and the pain of a good work out is great because that means your burning fat, you’re building muscle, you’re strengthening your cardio. Pain means its working, thus, you get a weird sense of joy when it hurts or its hard. Likewise, when you are going through trials and hardships you can find joy as a

Christian because you know that means God is continuing to do something in you.

When I look back on three years ago when I suffered five strokes and was in the hospital for over two weeks and had some really touch and go moments, but when I look back on it, it wasn’t a joyless time of life. Actually not at all. There were challenges, no doubt. Things that

God taught me through that season, but it wasn’t an unhappy or depressing season. I have never felt so confident in my life that I was firmly in God’s hands. Whether that meant living or dying I

P.C. Edwards 6 have never felt so sure that God was in control, and that was all I needed to find peace and joy in the trials we were facing.

The point being that every day you should be able to find joy whether the sun is shining or the clouds are raining. As Job declares,

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord, (Job 1:21).

Thus, we see the first key in finding meaning and purpose in our lives is in finding joy in whatever God might be doing through us. Second, we see in chapter 12 that we do so by remembering our creator.

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth:

Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them,”; (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Two key things to grasp here. First, the Teacher says we need to do this before the hard times come. Right, you look through verses 2-7 and he essentially lists out the various hardships we can expect to face in life, whether that be old age and death, societal collapse and breakdown, or fear and anxiety. Trials will come. So how do you persevere through them? By getting ready now, regardless of your age.

But how do you get ready? How do you become equipped to persevere through hardship?

How do you find what we were just talking about, that joy and peace in the knowledge that God is at work? By remembering your Creator. Now, remembering means much more that intellectual acknowledgement of God as creator. Get this: To remember your Creator means allowing the notion of God as Creator to shape your view of life and your handling of life’s enigmas now. In other words, the Teacher says if you really want to make sense of life and you

P.C. Edwards 7 really want to find your place in it, then you need to look back to how it all began and then reconnect back with that initial purpose for which God made the world.

So, when we look back at the Creation event itself, which is where we began the year, in the book of Genesis, we see that God is the good Creator. He alone can create; He alone can govern; He does so, but He does so in a perfectly good way. The Teacher here, thus, looks back on creation itself and says, ‘Clearly, God is in control. Clearly all that God does is good. And so the fact that not everything in this life is good or may be vanity means something has gone wrong. But that God is a good Creator God must mean that He will make all things new.’

In other words, its in looking back to Genesis 1 & 2 that the Teacher is able to look at the world through the lens of a biblical worldview. He realizes that the good things in this world are echoes of what once was, reminding us of the Eden God had made. That all is not good, however, is proof of something wrong. How do we make sense of the good and the bad of this world? Well only Genesis 1-3 can explain it to us. The Bible teaches that God has created all things good but that humanity’s choice to refuse His ways and purposes introduced sin and corruption into this world, which we see and experience manifestations of all around us every day! But we also see there in Genesis 3, that right at the moment humanity said ‘No’ to God, He responded by saying ‘Yes.’ At the moment of their rebellion God promised that He would crush their enemy; God Himself would vanquish sin, death, and the devil. Thus, Genesis 1-3 shows us that while we live in a corrupted and futile world, it is a world of hope that God has promised to make right.

Conclusion

This, then, is how the Teacher can rejoice, because he remembers who God is, what God has done, and what God has promised to do. This is how the Teacher finally reaches this

P.C. Edwards 8 breakthrough moment. He stops and reorients himself and his outlook around God. This entire book he’s been hell–bent on orienting everything to him, but here he realizes that one cannot simply function in this way. Instead, that he must not try to conform the world and God to himself, but instead himself be conformed to God.

You know, so often Teresa and I run into the moment with our kids where they dislike something we’ve said and they are quick to share their displeasure with us. Sometimes they’ll get down right angry at the injustice they think they’re experiencing. And so we’ll have these moments when my seven or five-year-old try to convince me of all the ways I’m wrong, as if they, at the stout age of seven and five, are the fount of all wisdom, and that I, the poor ignorant moron that I am, desperately need their advisement. Any parent knows what I’m talking about; it’s incredibly infuriating!

And yet how you and I take this posture with our heavenly Father constantly. Whether its our insistence about church, like, ‘God I know you care about saving lost people, but I really care more about my own needs and wants and so I think the church should focus more on me than on the lost around us.’ Or whether its how we use our time and money. Often its just our opinion and our view on things, we think this or that because that’s just what makes sense to us, or that’s what we’re taught and have always thought, and at best we find some way to biblically justify it.

We often live like little petulant children trying to tell God we know what’s best and how much

He just needs to get on board with what we want and what we’re doing.

The problem is that such a view doesn’t lead to a very joyful life. Now don’t get me wrong we may have happiness, but deep joy and fulfillment in life tends to be absent from us.

And the saddest part is that many of us aren’t really aware that we’re missing anything. As C.S.

P.C. Edwards 9 Lewis once wrote, we settle for far less joys in this life simply because we can’t even wrap our minds around there being something greater out there.

I didn’t get glasses until I was a teenager. My eyes were never that bad; they still aren’t terrible. But around my sophomore year of high school I began to get the sense that there were things I was supposed to be able to read clearly that I couldn’t. The teacher would write things on the board that everyone else seemed to be able to see that I couldn’t, so I went to the optometrist and got glasses. I remember vividly to this day walking out of the store and looking at the world around me and just being amazed. Everything was so much sharper and crisper and finer. It’s like that first time you ever saw HD TV and you were like, ‘Oh my goodness!’ I remember going to McDonalds and looking at the menu and thinking to myself, ‘I didn’t know that I was supposed to be able to read this.’ Right? Like before you get glasses you don’t know that you don’t see well; you just think that’s the way its meant to be. But then you get glasses and you start to realize just how much you’ve been missing.

Friends, I look around us in this room this morning and I see a room full of people who are followers of Jesus and have been so for some time. And yet, I’m not sure that we have yet to really ever get a Christian prescription for our eyes. I’m not sure if we have yet to fully receive and live in all that Jesus Christ has for us. I think we’re still selling ourselves short. But get this, the core of our issue is not that we need to think differently about ourselves, or we need to think more and differently on the world, or the church, or anything. No, it’s this under-the-sun perspective that we already tend to have which is the problem!

The key to you receiving the joy of the Lord is simply in fixing your eyes on Him! There is no rejoicing without remembering. So stop thinking about yourself; stop exploring ways that you need to change and just explore who God is. Remember who He is! You remember in the

P.C. Edwards 10 book of Deuteronomy before the Israelites are going to enter finally into the Promised Land

Moses calls them to remember who the Lord is. They will never be able to enjoy the fullness of

God’s promises for them, unless they remember who their God is and all He has done to bring them out of bondage.

So, too, we see here in Ecclesiastes, we must remember. God is the One who has made all things and governs all things. And even though you have rebelled against Him, even though you have chosen to live in bondage, He has rescued you by slaughtering a sacrificial lamb on your behalf to set you free. Your God is the One who gladly and freely sent His Son to suffer and die for you. Your God is One who has conquered sin and death and evil. Your God conquered the grave. Remember Him! And now let your whole perspective on life be informed by who He is and what He has done.

We read in conclusion to this journey that,

In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.

But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. 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, (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14).

The point is that this journey, this study to find wisdom, is a good one. It is one we should take because it is the only way to understand ourselves and the world around us. And yet, what we find here is that true wisdom is not found in books or in more studies. Instead, it is found when we know and study the true One Shepherd.

P.C. Edwards 11 In other words, years and years before the coming of the true and better Shepherd, the

Teacher knew that one could only be wise and live rightly and find meaning in all things through intimately knowing the Lord Himself. The apostle Paul writes,

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, (1 Corinthians 1:18-24).

The clear truth, friends, is that Jesus Christ is both the wisdom of God and the wisdom of those who trust in Him. Everything that you were made for and made to be in this world is found only in Him. Everything that you need, every answer that you seek is found only in Him. He is the very beginning and the very end of the matter. He is everything. But is He your every thing?

Have you trusted in Him and surrendered yourself to Him that He may be your every thing?

Does the way you live your life demonstrate that He is your every thing? Receive Him and be conformed to Jesus!

P.C. Edwards 12