The ancient book of Ecclesiastes speaks to contemporary
youth culture. An increasing percent of youth in the UK exclude the Creator
from their life.[1]
According to a recent study most young Brits believe their life lacks purpose.[2]
Ecclesiastes is twelve chapters long. The first chapter
opens with these words, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."[3]
The last chapter echoes the first, "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says
the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"[4]
The Teacher walked a secular path. He knew the Creator
exists. But he chose to live life apart from God. He spent his life researching
the benefits of the ordinary things of life and concluded, “All things are
wearisome, more than one can say. … I have seen all the things that are done
under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”[5]
The ordinary things of life include work, pleasure,
possessions, success, marriage, youth, old age, religion, and even
wisdom. None give meaning or purpose to life. Ironically, recent scientific
discoveries agree with the Teacher. Hope, purpose, and destiny cannot be found
in this world or, as the Teacher puts it, under the sun.[6]
According to the Teacher, the most one can expect from life is a little happiness.
This video is
scrolling playback of seven songs based on the Old Testament book of
Ecclesiastes.
·
Chase the Wind – The
Failure of Secularism
·
Livin’ Large – The
Failure of Possessions and Pleasure
·
Time and Circumstance –
The Failure of Success
·
The State of the Heart –
The Failure of the Heart
·
Judge Wisely – The
Benefits of Wisdom
·
Live Wisely – The
Limitations of Wisdom
·
Invest Wisely – the
Failure of Life Lived Apart from God
Kathy
You can get print sheet music for Ecclesiastes (30-page PDF).
[3]
Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV
[4]
Ecclesiastes 12:8 NIV
[5]
Ecclesiastes 1:8, 14 NIV
