As Solomon continues, he provides a wisdom poem to point out the mortality of man, every human being is governed or controlled by time. You cannot stop its passing and you cannot change it. Solomon continues and comments on the reality of our mortality. He recognizes that even in our work, our mortality is clearly on display. This is the nature of life for mortal, finite human beings and this is the task God has given human beings. There is something in us that longs for more, and even this is designed by God. Only the work of God has eternal worth and is complete, and this is what most people long to enjoy with their work - work and completion, fulfillment. The work of God alone is eternal. So, it is critical for us, as believers, to be wise in our decisions, but understand that we are not in control of the outcomes.
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.
