Bible’s Most Depressing Book

By Garry Friesen May 24th, 2009

Dear Family & Friends,

I just finished my 33rd year of teaching at Multnomah and this CLASSIC from Sept. 5, 2004 reminds me that God gives significance to every moment of life.

If the Olympics had an event for the most depressing book in the Bible, Lamentations gets gold, but  Ecclesiastes is nipping at its heels.  This summer I read Ecclesiastes a dozen times. I have never understood the unthinking optimist.  How could anyone NOT entertain the idea that all life is futile and meaningless.  I can understand someone coming through the feelings, but If you have never felt “vanity of vanity, all is vanity” something is wrong with you.  Solomon tried everything and “there is nothing new under the sun.” Labor is “striving after wind”.  Men die like beasts and return to dust.  “Chance and time overtake” everyone.  Nothing “under the sun” makes sense.  But, what if you looked not just under the sun, but above the sun?  Above the sun is the One who gives meaning to every act.  He is Judge and will give eternal significance to everything whether seen or hidden, remembered by man or forgotten.   Rightly we fear God as Judge.  But we should also thank Him for giving an eternal significance to everything that we do.  Solomon concludes, “Eat, drink, and enjoy life.  Remember the Creator in the days of your youth.  Fear God and keep His commandments.”  Above the sun, they all make sense.

Garry

Kigali Kollection Update: 7,070 books
http://www.librarything.com/profile/KigaliLibrary

Bible Marathon June 13; Next Tour of Aslan’s How June 20 (Sat).  To sign up:
gfriesen@multnomah.edu

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm and is filed under Classic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

One Response to “Bible’s Most Depressing Book”

  1. Marcia Hornok Says:
    May 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Dear Garry,

    Loved your post on Ecclesiastes (from 9/5/2004 reused 5/25/2009). May I reprint it in a future issue of CHERA Fellowship magazine? The magazine provides encouragement to widows and widowers and is published quarterly by IFCA Int’l. It would not be the first time you have allowed your FF to minister to our readers, and I appreciate it. However, if you cannot grant reprint permission, I will understand.
    We pay in copies.
    Recently we hosted a NTM candidate in our home. He was a former student of yours, named Joel (married Annie) but Ken and I lost his last name. His parents are also alums and missionaries to Haiti. Joel spoke very highly of you and your personal relationship with the students.
    To God Be All Glory,
    Marcia Hornok, Managing Editor of CF