As Solomon continues, he turns now to address wealth and the hardships of it, as well as, the insecurity and unquenched longings wealth creates. The answer, as it has been several times in Ecclesiastes, is that the gifts of this life must be enjoyed within a right relationship to God. Being rightly oriented to God enables us to enjoy the good gifts he provides. The constant longing and pursuit of wealth cannot satisfy; so enjoy God’s good gifts understanding that knowing God, through a relationship with Jesus ultimately satisfies.
As Solomon writes Ecclesiastes, as the teacher (Qohelet), he expresses various aspects that everyone experiences in life. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon rehearses the frustration, futility, irony and fleeting nature of life. The difficulties that exist are described throughout Ecclesiastes as hevel or vanity (futility). This theme consistently appears throughout this wisdom literature. Together, all of these frustrations can be rightly engaged, only as we rightly engage God through his revealed word. God offers the perspective and strength that we need to endure the hardships, trials and frustrations that life presents. This is why Solomon calls everyone to fear God and to keep his commands – to follow his instructions. This will not take away the frustrations of life, but it does offer a proper framework by which view them.
