Question
Why did God create us? What is our purpose on earth?
Answer
This is one of the greatest questions that human beings can ask, “What is our purpose?” To live a purposeless life is to live a life of misery and disappointment. Unlike animals, man searches to find a purpose for this life and then having found it, he devotes himself to accomplishing it.
The bible answer to this question is clear. One of the great passages that explores this question in depth is the book of Ecclesiastes. Here, against the backdrop of the vain purposes of life is set forth the Divine purpose for humanity. It is this Divine purpose that not only gives meaning to our present lives but hope of a future life with God.
If you read the first two chapters of the book, you will find that life without God is described as “vanity”, empty, monotonous and frustrating. Man seeks for meaning in things, pleasure, social/political accomplishment, but is continuously disappointed and left with a feeling of emptiness.Without God, life is anything we want it to be and nothing that we want it to be.
As the book goes on, he begins to unfold the purpose of life to us in various stages. He speaks of diligence, self-control and generosity. These things bring true meaning to life.
ECC 9:10 ¶ Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
ECC 9:11 I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise, nor wealth to the discerning, nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all.
ECC 9:12 Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net, and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.
ECC 10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
ECC 10:2 A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left.
ECC 10:3 Even when the fool walks along the road his sense is lacking, and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.
ECC 10:4 If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
ECC 11:1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.
ECC 11:2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.
ECC 11:3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.
ECC 11:4 He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.
ECC 11:5 Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
ECC 11:6 Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.
But then, he comes to the conclusion of this grand question. The purpose of our lives is honor God by seeking after His will and obeying the One who has put us here. Whether we are young or old, our primary obligation is to God who can best direct us in how we should use our minds and our bodies to our good and His glory.
ECC 11:9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.
ECC 11:10 So, remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
ECC 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;
ECC 12:2 before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain;
ECC 12:3 in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim;
ECC 12:4 and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.
ECC 12:5 Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street.
ECC 12:6 Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;
ECC 12:7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
ECC 12:8 “Vanity of vanities,”says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”
ECC 12:9 ¶ In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs.
ECC 12:10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
ECC 12:11 ¶ The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
ECC 12:12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
ECC 12:13 ¶ The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
ECC 12:14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
By Gary Hunt
