Bible Reading Blog
“Nothing New”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Ecclesiastes 1
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1.9)
It’s exciting to start something new. It energizes our spirit and produces hopefulness because of its potential. But the honeymoon always ends. Ecclesiastes snubs the pleasantries of feel-good philosophy and blasts us with a concentrated dose of reality. Any experience, at its very best, is temporary and futile. If you’re doing it, it’s already been done and proven to be unsatisfying. Just pack up and go home already.
Life experience teaches this brutal truth; so it makes sense to cut to the chase rather than muddle our way to this reality. We've all heard people say, “there’s nothing new under the sun” as a complaint against life’s futility. When Solomon wrote the statement, he was emphasizing the cyclic nature of human life on earth and the emptiness of living only for the “rat race.” He observed that despite human efforts, the world continues unchanged. All the activity of a man during his lifetime is lost in the grander scheme of things. Part of Solomon’s frustration from this observation is that “no one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them” (Ecclesiastes 1.11). People tend to forget the past, repeating its mistakes as a result.
The futility of life can be depressing and debilitating. But one thing we all have in common is that in desperation we see honesty. When pretense is stripped away and reality acknowledged, we have no choice but to objectively evaluate our existence.
So, does the fact that there is nothing new under the sun mean we should give up trying? The entire book of Ecclesiastes should be read before jumping to any conclusion. In the end, Solomon writes this: “Now all has been heard... here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12.13–14).
In other words, life involves more than what happens “under the sun.” Living for God and His glory is the goal of life. Those who do not seek this goal will not only be left wanting, but will ultimately be judged by God (Romans 14.12; 2 Corinthians 5.10). Even our good deeds that have gone unnoticed in this life are seen by God and will be rewarded in the future. This knowledge should result in a life lived for God, with a deep love for others and desire to make a difference.
There may be nothing new under the sun, but Jesus promises, someday, to make all things new (Revelation 21.5). So, while we must accept the futility of life under the sun, we can live a life of purpose a meaning filled with hope beyond this life.
