THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESSIASTES
Ecclesiastes is one of those books that I find a little boring to read. Some Bible scholars don’t even believe that Solomon is the writer of this book.
Some believe that this book is filled with corrupted wisdom that reveals how much Solomon had fallen from being a man of wisdom after he married many ungodly wives and worshipped their idols contrary to God’s direction. He actually built temples for those idols. (See 1 Kings 11:1-8)
However, even in this book of Ecclesiastes, we still find a remnant few references to the Holy Spirit and we also see some of His intrinsic work.
For example:
Eccl 9:8 Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. NKJV
White garments are a type of our being clothed with God’s righteousness in the new birth and of course oil is a type of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. That’s good advice isn’t it? Walk in your righteousness and stay full of the Holy Spirit.
In Isaiah 61, which speaks of the anointing on Jesus to bring us the joys of our salvation it says:
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness , as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. NKJV
Then in Ecclesiastes 3, the writer gives the first clear instructions about God and purpose in this book:
Eccl 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; …8 NKJV
Who can reveal the timing and purposes of the Lord for our lives but the Holy Spirit in us? Who convicts the world about the eternal and that unless they give their lives to God all their work here on earth will be a waste of time and nothing but vanity? (John 16:8-13)
In Eccl 3:11 he said: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts…” NKJV This reveals the depth of God’s involvement with mankind.
Basically, the writer concludes that the meaning of life is only found in our living for the eternal purposes of God.
Brethren, allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you to live in the light of the eternal, to focus on what really matters because sooner than you think, you will stand before God and give account of your life under the sun. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit in you; find out His purpose for your life, fulfill it and then you will surely find fulfillment in life.