27 Jun, 2008 in
Bible by
Clayton Fopp
There is a season – turn, turn, turn. And a time for every purpose under heaven.
Not many songs which take their lyrics from the words of Scripture have managed to embed themselves in the public consciousness of Western society. Boney M’s Rivers of Babylon and U2’s 40 would be two examples, but perhaps the best known is Peter Seeger’s 1965 hit for The Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn!
Something about the words of that song, taken almost verbatim from the King James Version’s translation of Ecclesiastes struck a chord in the hearts and minds of people across the world.
What is it about the reflections of “the Teacher” on life, work and death that resonate within us and with our own experience? Why does he so easily get our attention? What does Ecclesiastes say to people looking for answers to questions around the issues of life, God, meaning and purpose? Let me make a few brief observations.
First of all, the Teacher has great confidence in God’s order and pattern in creation. His conclusion is that life makes sense only if it is lived according to the order and pattern God has established. In a world that so often seems dis-orderly and non-sense, a gentle reminder to (re-)consider the Maker’s pattern and plan is sorely needed.
Secondly, the Teacher acts as what we might call a self-appointed Valuer-General. He has been described as a “debunker,” determined that no institution or activity should pass itself off as more solid, satisfying or valuable than it really is. All pretence is swept away by his observations and reflections, restating his theme that without the Maker’s pattern and order, everything is meaningless. How this strikes a chord within us, that the proud “puffing up” and exaggerated importance of things should be taken down a peg or two!
Thirdly, when life seems oppressive, when we feel that life presents more questions than answers, when the present becomes a hard master, we learn that the Teacher has something very positive to say to us, his students. He asks the questions that we’ve no doubt wanted to ask, he raises the issues that we, at times, want to raise. The problems that confuse us and trouble us, he doesn’t shy away from, nor does he urge us to shy away from them. Rather the Teacher urges us to remember that God is our creator and to live within the order and pattern he has established and made known in his Word. With this sure foundation he teaches people to view life as a blessing from God and to “enjoy the fruits of their labour” (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
Finally, as the apostle Paul wrote generations later, we know that all creation “was subjected to frustration” (Romans 8:20). The hope that transforms the frustration of Romans 8 is the same hope that transforms the “meaninglessness” of Ecclesiastes. This hope is the hope of the gospel – death has been overcome. Life has been bought. Life according to God’s ultimate plan has always had meaning, it’s always had value. Life with God was worth Jesus’ death.
Put a value on that!!