Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 God Given Task
For all his efforts and wisdom, Solomon finds that there are things beyond man’s understanding. We are all given tasks by God to fill our lives. Loving Him is #1.
An alternate title for this blog is, “What was broken.” When reading this passage, my heart is directed to compare what IS with what God originally created. This is NOT how God originally created us to live. Adam and Eve were created for a life without toil. The ground yielded up crops without any effort. They didn’t have to worry about eternity. They would live forever. They were not separated from God. They knew Him personally and walked with Him in the garden in the cool of the evening. There was unity between them. Eve was Adam’s perfect mate as she truly was “bone of my bone” when created by God.
When Eve took of the forbidden fruit, gave it to Adam, and they both ate it, things changed. Eternity for man ended in that moment. God didn’t blast down in a flash of lighting and thunder at that moment, but this is when we became broken.
No longer would the earth spring up crops without any effort. “Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Genesis 3:17b-19a).
Adam was told in no uncertain terms that he would die and return back to what he was created from; dust of the earth. “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
Man’s physical death would take some time but his spiritual death happened in an instant. The moment man’s ‘eyes were open’ his spirit died. Now he saw what God’s covering did for him. He even noticed for the first time that he was “naked” and was ashamed of his nakedness. His dead spirit put a barrier between him and God.
God didn’t need Adam to tell Him what happened earlier in the day. I have NO DOUBT that God knew what happened the instant it took place. When God went to look for Adam, Adam hid because he now knew shame. He was ashamed of his nakedness. This was his first concern when God asked him why he hid. The first thing Adam says is; “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10). He didn’t say; “I hid because I ate the forbidden fruit.” He saw himself as he truly was; without God’s covering and separated from Him.
People always talk about how men and women don’t seem to understand one another. Did you realize it is right there in the curse God spoke over Eve? “Your desire shall be contrary to your husband” (Genesis 3:16b). The unity that once existed, that allowed Adam to so willingly follow Eve down this path, ended. Their desires would clash from that moment on. And because Eve’s leadership took them both down the wrong path, God put Adam as the leader. “But he shall rule over you” (Genesis 3:16c).
THIS was the beginning of the God-given task of man. Man would now toil all his life and long for that connection that was lost. God gave man a substitute connection through His Law, but it could not measure up to the original relationship God had created. When man stayed within the bounds of that relationship, he was happier and protected. Bad things could and would still happen to him during his life but he had God to cling to during them. He had promises from God that would carry him through the hard times. They also made them look for reasons when bad things happened. #1 was, did I sin?
Jesus fixed what was broken but it still is not like the original. He didn’t turn back time and undo what had been done. Instead, He created a true bridge between man and God. Where a ‘rope of hope’ once was laid, now a ‘bridge forged of Jesus’ blood’ spanned the gap.
Yes, we still have to toil in this world. Men and women will still have communication divides. We will still not know what lies beyond death without faith in God. We walk with God in spirit/Spirit and we trust His promises that one day we will see Him face to face.
As for Solomon’s advice, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man” (verses 12-13), as long as that “pleasure” is within the bounds of “do good”; Go For It!
Find a job that brings you joy or at least fulfillment. Enjoy the things God has created for you, including all the beauty that is on this earth. Treasure your relationships with your family, friends, and God. And DO NOT use your pursuit of pleasure to bring another pain. The toil is part of the curse but the pleasure in it is a gift God gives us; those who love Him. Let Him help you find pleasure wherever you may be. Paul tells us that this IS possible; at least contentment and peace is. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11b-13).
Father God, I have been more content lately in areas of my life that I NEVER expected to feel this way about. This is TRULY a gift from You! THANK YOU for Your peace. Help me not to ruin it too!!! I know there is still a LOT of growth needed in my life. I look forward to seeing where You take me. I’m praying I’m not kicking and screaming for much of the journey!
