Vanity and Life Under the Sun – Ecclesiastes 1:1-3
We have already studied the context of the book of Ecclesiastes, and on this occasion we will be looking at two of the main themes of this book: vanity and life under the sun. If you have read the book in its entirety, you must have noticed that these two phrases are constantly repeated.
In my Bible study, repetitions are like a school zone alert, indicating that I should slow down and fix my attention on these repetitions. In verse 2 alone, the word vanity is repeated five times and more than 30 times throughout the book.
Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?- Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 (CSB)
What does vanity mean in the Bible?
We will begin by evaluating what the word vanity means, and we will do so from four perspectives, which I always recommend you consider when determining the meaning of a word during your study.
What we know
What comes to your mind when you think of the word vanity? For me, two images come: one of vanity magazines that I always saw on supermarket shelves. The second is of a vain woman, who has more than she needs or what she has is only for appearances.
Definition
Now let’s go to an English dictionary to read its definition. According to Merriam-Webster, vanity means:
- Something that is vain, empty, or valueless
- The quality or fact of being vain
- Inflated pride in oneself or one’s appearance
- Something worthless, trivial, or pointless
When examining these definitions, what stands out is the concept of something lacking substance, reality, or fruit.
According to these definitions, we can say that the word vanity is used to describe something that is not real, that has no substance, a fruit that cannot be used, something useless.
It is important to have these definitions clear, since the preacher will be constantly using them to describe activities in life.
Let’s look at other versions
The next step to better understand the term is to read how other Bible versions translate it, different from the one you regularly use. Since I’m using the ESV, let’s look at other versions:
- CSB uses “futility”
- NIV uses “meaningless”
- NLT uses “meaningless” and “completely meaningless”
In this exercise, the word “meaningless” catches my attention, as it refers to something that lacks purpose or significance. This perspective will also help us understand what the preacher is teaching us.
What does the original say?
This next strategy is a bit more advanced, but with the right tools, you can research the word used in the original.
In Hebrew, the original word is hebel, which means: meaningless, empty, absurd, vain, transitory, illusory, incomprehensible.
It offers the image of a vapor, something passing, short-lived, a mist; something that cannot be caught.
Under the Sun
Now that we have a clearer idea of what vanity means, let’s look at the expression “under the sun.”
This phrase refers to earthly life, which is passing and meaningless. A life that does not provide definitive answers or total satisfaction. This, for a simple but complex reason: it is a life separated from God.
For you to have a better understanding of this life under the sun, I invite you to read these verses that remind us there is an illusion and vanity that can lead us away from what is most important, which is Christ:
- James 4:13-16
- 1 Corinthians 3:18-20
- 2 Corinthians 11:3
- Romans 12:2
Why does the preacher repeat these themes?
The repetition of these two matters seems to have the purpose of a depressive and hopeless message. We will continually read that life has no meaning, that it is impossible to catch like vapor or fog. That everything we do in the end does not have the expected fruit.
Although those are the preacher’s words, we will also see that this is the result of a life under the sun, which, we remember, is one separated from God.
The preacher’s message is an urgent call to look at and long for life above the sun. This life refers to eternal life, a life that has purpose and meaning.
It is a life whose value, as we will see in upcoming lessons, does not depend on my actions, but on who God is and who I am when united to Him.
Now I invite you to read these verses that help us contemplate that other reality that day-to-day circumstances tend to overshadow, to adjust our perspective:
- Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
- Philippians 4:11-13
- Matthew 6:31-34
The preacher leads us to contemplate life under the sun and see that it is “a reality that does not live up to expectations.”
What is that expectation? Eternity, which God has put in our hearts. What we live under the sun does not compare with what is to come and what should be what we long for.
How are we living our life?
The question we have to ask ourselves, from now on, is: How are we living our life?
- Under the sun, centered on ourselves, fighting to achieve our illusions?
- Or directed by God, in fear and obedience, clinging to Christ, longing for eternity?
As we delve into the book in upcoming lessons, we will see specific areas and more practical examples of how to live day by day longing for eternity. Before ending this lesson, I want to share this quote from author C.S. Lewis that describes our condition when trapped by the vanity of life under the sun:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Let us pray that through His Word and His Spirit, the Lord will help us change our perspective and that we long for what has been given to us: eternity.
