It seems apparent from Genesis 3:14-19, where God enumerates the curses following Adam and Eve's sin, that He not only pronounced man's subjection to a measure of vanity but activated it at that time. Without a doubt, life is difficult, and the vanity that Paul mentions plays its part in the difficulty. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. The apostle Paul states in Romans 8:18-21:įor I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. We have to grow to understand that, as things stand in His purpose, vanity plays a vital role. While it makes for an arresting opening, vanity is not useless to God's purpose. There is nothing to anything-it's all smoke." In the New Testament, James 4:14 describes human life similarly: "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." The Message Bible renders it, "Smoke, nothing but smoke. The New International Version translates Ecclesiastes 1:2 as, "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the teacher. Of what value is such a thing? Surprisingly, vanity has some value in life. One of the more vivid explanations is that "vanity" suggests the scum that remains when a soap bubble bursts against a hard surface. Thus, vanity aptly portrays life as being insubstantial, rather flimsy, and passing. Smoke and breath not only disappear quickly, but neither can they be grasped and held on to. Literally, it suggests a breath, something akin to vapor, like one's breath on a cold day, or a puff of smoke rising from a fire. "Vanity" (Hebrew hebel) is a vivid metaphor used 33 times in the book. Three terms particularly important to grasping Ecclesiastes' message are contained within the first three verses: "vanity," "profit," and "under the sun." The first 11 verses act as an introduction, providing several terms that dominate the theme of the book. The message is what is important, and ultimately, the message is from our Creator, who inspired it and desires our growth and His glorification.
#Nothing new under the sun origin how to#
I cannot grasp how their speculation profits anyone who is sincerely looking for truth about how to live a life that glorifies God and is profitable for themselves. Some commentators dispute this, claiming evidence that it was written as late as the third century before Christ.
The book begins abruptly by announcing that it is written by Solomon, son of David, king in Jerusalem.
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