Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23 (NRSV)
Read Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Verse 12I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, Verse 13applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. Verse 14I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. Verse 18I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me Verse 19-and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. Verse 20So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, Verse 21because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. Verse 22What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? Verse 23For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Devotion
The book of Ecclesiastes is often referred to as “wisdom” literature, that is, writings that ask profound questions about the meaning of one’s life. By their nature such questions are at some point unanswerable from the limited perspective of human minds. The reading reflects on how the goodness of God’s creation can be clouded by toil and suffering. Yet we are still called to faith and conversation with God.
Today’s verses tell a deep truth that our lives are often restless—restless because we cannot fathom the purposes God may have for us. Yet it is this very questioning that leads us to look to God’s care. St. Augustine prayed, “Our hearts are restless, until they rest in You.” Our trust finally reaches beyond our ability to know with our intellect. We live and serve and praise God in this world each day, and we are invited to trust in that which is beyond our knowing.
Prayer
Lord of Peace, still our restlessness. Give us humble hearts that find hope and salvation in your caring hands. Accompany us in our searching and be our rest. Amen.
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