By Todd Paetznick, August 22, 2024

Everyone has a moment when they wish they knew, as a younger person, what they know now.  The mistakes that should have been avoided, the chances that should have been taken, and the actions that worked out better than expected.  What would we tell our younger selves if we could?  While the impossibility of time travel prevents us from advising our younger selves, we are not precluded from passing our wisdom and experience to younger generations.

Solomon records his observations, experiences, and learnings in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes to benefit his children and whoever cares to learn from him.  As the king of Israel, the wisest and one of the wealthiest persons to ever live, Solomon has a unique perspective worth considering.  Out of all the things he could have written about, the book contains those things he thought were most important for people to know.  He offered the opportunity to learn from his mistakes and experiences and benefit from his counsel. 

Solomon recorded his search for purpose and meaning in the book of Ecclesiastes.  What is unique about his book are the recordings of his failed attempts to find purpose and meaning.  Depending on the version of the Bible we use, Solomon’s words were translated to something like “vanity, vanity, all is vanity” or “meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless.”  He did not find meaning in wisdom or foolishness (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:12-17), pleasure or possessions (2:1-11), or in his work (2:18-26).  He did not find meaning in great wealth (5:10-20).  There was no aspect of life where Solomon could find purpose or meaning despite having all the wealth, power, and opportunity to try everything he desired.  

Solomon’s search and reflection eventually led him to find purpose and meaning only with God.  “The conclusion, when everything has been heard, [is:] fear God and keep His commandments, because this [applies to] every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NASB20). 

How would Solomon have lived his life differently had he been able to tell his younger self that purpose and meaning could only be found in God? He may not have changed anything about how he lived his life.  Many people choose to live however they want, believing they can delay repentance until the last minute and then repent and gain an eternity with God.  Some believe they give up too much fun by fearing God and keeping His commandments.  But Solomon noted this situation too when he wrote, “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” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).  There is accountability and judgment regardless of age. 

Would Solomon have chosen to fear God and keep His commandments as a young person if he had known what he knew as an older adult? I think so. The enjoyment of God and His creation is a gift for His people and the rest of the people in the world.  Boundaries are given for how people are to enjoy food, drink, and the friendship of other people as a few examples.  The mistakes made are when the enjoyment of food becomes gluttony, the enjoyment of wine becomes drunkenness, and friendships turn into one-sided domination and oppression.  By living within the boundaries established by God, we are fearing God and keeping His commandments.  Enjoy God and the gifts He has given us.  It’s what Solomon did.