ROMANS AND ECCLESIASTES.
Ecclesiastes is a sad sermon from an earthly king. Romans is good news from the King of heaven.
Beginning with the dark side, Ecclesiastes, note that The Preacher is a king; the wisest, richest, most glorious in human history (2 Chron. 1:11, 12).But his is earthly wisdom, simply that of a very wise man. He is guided by reason, not by revelation, and is thus only a moral philosopher, though the wisest one that ever lived. Mark, too, that he preaches from
Experience – the bitter experience of one who has tested the things men strive after, seeking satisfaction where all natural men seek it. Where is that ? Do not the phrases, "under the sun" and "under heaven" (1:2, 13, 14), answer the question? Are the things of Christ "under the sun" or above it? If thus it is only earthly things of this present life that he has tested, we can readily understand his language.
The Sermon of the preacher. Alas, text and discourse are summed up in his weary exclamation, "Vanity of vanities! all is vanity!" Has a sadder sermon ever come from human lips ? He tried wisdom and knowledge, the pursuit of philosophers and scientists, and found vexation, grief and sorrow (1:12-18). How significant that wisdom, which sees things in the world as they really are, should only increase his sorrow. Next he tries the pursuits of ordinary men-mirth, pleasure, folly, house-building, landscape-gardening, accumulation of wealth, music, etc. Here was worse disappointment (2:) so that after all, wisdom, with all its pangs, is better than folly. The wise man, at least, has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in darkness.
We add a word of caution. The preacher's conclusions are simply those of a wise philosopher. At the simplest things beyond this life, he only gropes and guesses. Is there a difference between man and beast after death ? he asks. The wisest man can but ask, Who knows? Further on, reasoning from God, he does better (12:7). But his blind question is still that of modern science, whose confessed creed is agnosticism-"no knowledge" beyond this life. Guided by God's word, faith alone can say, " I know!"
But we urge careful study of the great lesson of the book-that all " under the sun " is vanity, unworthy the pursuit of the human heart. Oh that young saints would ponder it! What satisfying thing can we find in a world that Solomon's wisdom, wealth and kingly resources have searched in vain? "What can the man do that cometh after the king?" Only "that which hath been already done!" To learn from Solomon is to save ourselves from years wasted in dragging our souls into the mire, to prove the world's vanity for ourselves. The preacher also reasons concerning
God, Death, and Judgment. Fools may doubt God's existence (Psa. 14:i). A wise man learns of God from creation (Rom. 1:20). But Solomon also sees death upon all, an evidence that God punishes sin; from which he reasons that after death God judges man (2:16-23 ; 3:17 ; 12:14). This leads to his
Conclusion (12:). If the vexation and vanity of human life ends in death, which ushers men before God to be judged, what can human wisdom suggest? Simply that, remembering their "Creator" from their youth, men should obey and "fear God." This leaves men trembling before their Judge ; but it is " the beginning of wisdom."
What will the awful Judge do to those who turn from earth's vanities to Him ? The philosopher cannot answer; but here we turn to
The Epistle, to the Romans where God's own voice declares the rich provision of His grace. We have room only to name a few of its grand themes. There are many helps to be had from the Publishers of this Periodical to the understanding of this Epistle.
God's Good News concerning His Son is its general subject, as the introduction shows (1:1-17). This news is God's power unto salvation, and reveals His righteous way of procuring it.
God's Wrath against man's sin, revealed at the cross of Christ, proves that Solomon reasoned well of judgment. God will judge all who repent not, whether heathen (1:18-32), moral philosophers like Solomon (2:1-16), or the privileged Jews, who had the word of God (2:17-3:20).
God's Righteousness in saving sinners is revealed in the Person and work of Christ (3:.21-5:ii). Justified by God's grace, His righteousness is for us. Justified by faith, our faith is counted for righteousness. Justified by blood, Christ is our Righteousness. Sweet and blessed themes!
The Two Adams (5:12-21; compare i Cor. 15:45-49) are heads of two races. The first man's disobedience plunged his race into sin, death reigning over all. Christ's obedience unto death constitutes His race righteous, and they shall reign in life.
Our old Man Crucified with Christ cancels sin for us, justifies us from it, and places us under grace, which teaches us to reckon ourselves dead to sin, and alive unto God "in Christ" (6:).
Experimental Deliverance, both from bondage to law and the sin in the flesh, is a most important subject (7:, 8:). It is realized by faith, which gives up self-occupation to rest in Christ's sacrifice alone, and in the Spirit's law, of life in Christ.
Redemption of the Body, and indwelling by the Spirit of God, are among the rich features of the wonderful chap. 8:
Israel's Hope, following the judgment of Gentile Christendom (9:-11:), is another great theme of this Epistle, which fairly glistens with the wealth of God's good things!
Practical precepts, as interesting as important, complete the book (12:-16:).
If things under the sun are " vanities" even to a philosopher, what are they to a child of God who inherits this heavenly portion ?May our reading this month fill the soul with thanksgiving !