Vanity Of Vanities
Photo By: Charles Allan Gilbert 1892
All worldly things, and all men’s designs, and studies, and works about them, is vanity; not in themselves, for so they are God’s creatures, and therefore good and really useful in their kinds; but in reference to men, and to that happiness which men seek and confidently expect to find in them. So they are unquestionably vain, because they are not what they seem to be, and perform not what they promise, content and satisfaction, but instead of that are commonly the causes or occasions of many cares, and fears, and sorrows, and mischiefs; and because they are altogether unsuitable to the mind or soul of man, both in nature or quality, and in duration, as being unstable and perishing things. Oh that we might more thoroughly awaken our dull minds to the consideration of this truth. Inspired by: (Matthew Poole's Commentary)
We who behold the truth and return from the broken and empty cisterns of this world, to the Fountain of living water; in the sight of our own folly and shame, the bitterness of our disappointment, and the lessons we have learned. As we take warning to turn and live, we should warn others not to go on and die. VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY, indeed This is true and we should never lose sight of this reality. If this world, in its present state, were all, it would not be worth living for; and the wealth and pleasure of this world, if we had ever so much, are not enough to make us happy. What profit has a man of all his labour? All he gets by it will not supply the wants of the soul, nor satisfy its desires; will not atone for the sins of the soul, nor hinder the loss of it: what profit will the wealth of the world be to the soul in death, in judgment, or in the everlasting state? Inspired by: (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary)
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) 13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
In light of all these, how pleasing and profitable it will be if we intentionally, by the Spirit of God, live for Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. And in Him, we have peace with God through his Blood shed on the Cross. (Colossians 1;15-19)
Amen.