Quick Note – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 – Fulfillment for This Life

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 – “24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

Some people think that the book of Proverbs is the only book of wisdom in the Bible, but the Word of God is filled with wisdom on every page from start to finish.  One book that people tend to overlook is the book of Ecclesiastes.  Whether it is because the name is complicated to say or because it is such a small book in the Bible, it often gets ignored.  But this book is like a sequel to the book of Proverbs, in that like Proverbs it shares little pithy statements of wisdom that in a few words pack a punch.  I warn those who are going to read the whole book for the first time though to be ready to be at least a little bit depressed, because throughout the book, we are reminded that life is vanity (fleeting and useless).  Only in the end, Ecclesiasts 12:13, do you see the ultimate statement of the book and the purpose of life, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”  Interestingly though, our passage today, as well as, many other verses throughout the book, give hints to this ultimate end – that without God we will never find fulfillment in this life.

Like in the book of Proverbs, the meaning of this verse is very clear, so I need not spend much time expounding it.  All I want to do is bring this verse to your attention and remind you that no joy can be found in this life without God.  In this verse, we are told that we should enjoy the life we are given here on this earth.  There is nothing better in this life than to enjoy food, drink, and our work.  This may be wrongly interpreted to support the idea of focusing on this earthly life and ignoring our next life, but that would be inconsistent with the words of Jesus telling us to lay up treasures in heaven not earth (Matthew 6:19-21).  That is why Solomon followed up vs. 24 with vs. 25 telling his readers that without God, none of these things can ever be enjoyed, for He is the Provider and Savior of our souls.  Only by God’s mercy and grace can we find fulfillment in this life.  So if you feel empty or if you are wandering about your life with no purpose or direction or if you feel unfulfilled, look to God – chase after Him, for it is only in Him can you find enjoyment.  You will only feel fulfilled when you fulfill your purpose to bring honor and glory to God.