Dust Returns to Dust

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3.

Solomon recognizes wickedness that comes even in those places where we most expect to find justice and righteousness. He finds comfort in the fact that God serves as judge over all, and he recognizes the way that God uses this reality to test people to see the truth about themselves. From the perspective of life under the sun, all people die, just like all animals die. As Solomon reflects upon the oppression he sees in this life under the sun, he sees no comfort for anyone and mourns over this aspect of evil in life. Only from God’s perspective can anyone know the truth of what it means to be one of God’s beloved human creatures, redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“Wisdom for Life Under the Sun” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon’s favorite word in Ecclesiastes paints a bleak picture: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” Apart from God, life is nothing but vapor that does not last and can never be grasped. Yet Solomon does not leave us in despair. He shows us that life does have meaning in the faith and fear of God, from whom all things come to us as a gift.