The Whole Duty Of Man

I devoted myself to study and to explore.

Ecclesiastes 1:13 NIV

What an enigma Solomon was—the wisest man on earth yet the most foolish. Scottish preacher Alexander Whyte said, “If ever ship set sail on a sunny morning, but all that was left of her was a board or two on the shore that night, that ship was Solomon.”

In his Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon applied his God-given wisdom to the pursuit of meaning in life. He explored every avenue, seeking satisfaction. He tried education, money, public works, fame, creative writing, sensual pleasure, and religion. But nothing satisfied.

Are you exploring, experimenting, and seeking satisfaction in similar things? Tennis star Boris Becker said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. . . . It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace.”

In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon finally reached the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (NIV).

Only a life devoted to God through Jesus Christ satisfies the heart.