under the sun  Ecclesiastes chapter six X

"In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?" (Ecclesiastes 6:12).

As we enter the second half of Ecclesiastes, we'll find our author moving back towards an acknowledgment of God as the only real source of meaning and purpose in life. One subtle example of this shift in perspective is found by looking at the questions contained within the verse quoted above: "...who knows how our days can best be spent?" and "...who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?" While there may be no shortage of people who are willing to provide their opinion in answering those questions, there is only One who is truly qualified to speak on those subjects.

You see, we often think we know how to decide what's best for us in life, but concepts like "best" or "good" are only as reliable as the information that those decisions are based on. The problem is that people rarely have all the information they need to make good decisions.

Because of this, we are often forced to make decisions based on whatever information is known to us at the time. If more information becomes available later on, the wisdom or foolishness of a particular decision might easily be seen. This is why people are often heard to say things like, "If I only knew then what I know now…" after making a bad decision. Experience (or inexperience), personal bias, peer pressure, and the advice and opinions of others may also serve to influence the decision making process for better or worse

This is why the questions of Ecclesiastes 6:12 help shift our focus from an "under the sun" perspective to a viewpoint that acknowledges God and His plan for our lives. By asking "...who knows how our days can best be spent?" and "...who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?" Solomon has left the answer unstated but unavoidable: "No one, except God"

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (NIV). While we may not have the ability to understand everything that occurs during our short existence here under the sun, God is worthy of our trust in providing wisdom and direction for our lives.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptural references taken from The Living Bible, © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers


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