- Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” -
Hunter! This is not Ecclesiastes! You tricked me!
=)
Hey, I know this is a bit of a detour. I’ve been studying John, in the same way I studied Ecclesiastes, and this verse seemed so pertinent, that I thought a post on it would be warranted.
One thing that is crucial to remember when reading Ecclesiastes is that it isn’t the whole story. That’s every verse in the Bible, but it’s especially true in the Old Testament.
It doesn’t mean those books aren’t true or they don’t speak about what is to come, but most of the authors had no idea how good the Messiah coming could be.
What is good for man? According to Solomon, it’s to eat, drink, and enjoy our work. That’s a slight because all of that is filled with vanity.
It’s because that’s the best we have to hope for in our lives that Solomon’s book ends up being such a downer (at least till the end of the book).
You know another book that people find depressing? Job. In Chapter 23:12, he says the following concerning God.
“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
Spoiler, but that rings true with Ecclesiastes. It also gives us insight into the ongoing message of what is good for our lives.
When Solomon says, “find enjoyment in our toil,” it’s a completely reasonable question to ask ourselves, “What kind of toil is best to find enjoyment within?”
He instructs to accept our lot, so there’s at least that limitation. A way to read that is you may not be smart enough to be a surgeon or perhaps a sick child keeps you from pursuing your career.
Should you take on responsibility you are not ready for? Should you abandon family for a dream job?
The answer to both is an obvious no. So, then again, what is the best toil? Surely that which is the best work will bring the most enjoyment.
We know the story of Jesus at the well. He is weary, thirsty, and hungry. He sits nearby waiting for His disciples to return with food from town.
A Samaritan woman appears to draw water. They have a conversation about living water, and the woman, who seems to not like Jesus at first, leaves telling others to go meet Him.
The disciples appear near the end of this conversation, wondering why Jesus would speak to a woman, but they don’t say anything about it.
They bring Him food, and Jesus intuits their confusion. He could answer their cultural concerns, but He realizes there is a more important problem He needs to address.
I don’t need your food. I have been feasting on my Father’s work. His will is my only desire.
We see in Job, Ecclesiastes, and from Jesus’s own mouth, that the greatest toil one can engage in is the commands of God.
Can you find enjoyment in the work set in front of you? Will you gripe and complain? Will you say, “I don’t know why you won’t do it my way God!”
Perhaps there is more in you of Job’s friends then you would like to admit. Perhaps you are willing to do the work of God if it satisfies your own desired and unspoken incentives.
Jesus’s message? Nothing else satisfies.
Will you complain or feast?
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