The
theme continues as Solomon describes a wasted life, the miserable existence
of an apparently successful and probably immensely talented man, like
those we have just been reading about, an individual so consumed by
the Accumulation of money and possessions and the expansion of his personal
empire that he has finally lost the ability to enjoy the fruits of his
success – probably stressed out by the struggle, burdened by worries
and responsibilities, possibly nursing an ulcer and literally unable
to eat, prematurely gray, experiencing incipient heart disease and impotence,
a generally failing physique sustained by medication, a crumbling marriage
and delinquent children. He has everything but enjoys nothing. The situation
is common among men, says Solomon.
Notice
that in these sections Solomon is describing successful people, not
the poor, but rather those individuals who have learned the fundamental
principle that material success comes to those who set goals, who
set their heart on the attainment of specific objectives
and pursue them with a relentless determination that surmounts all set-backs.
God
intends us to enjoy life – as far as
that is possible in this present evil world – but this man had
actually wasted his life, despite his material success. If you cannot
enjoy the basic pleasures of life, says Solomon, then there is no point
in being born and living, even if you live a thousand years –
better to be an untimely birth, an aborted
fetus or still-born baby, than experience the miserable life of this
supposedly success man.
Solomon
chooses his metaphors carefully – and the term untimely
birth refers to a fetus that comes to birth too soon,
before it has been properly formed, so that it lacks the physiology
required to live, breathe and survive. In similar fashion, the unfortunate
but wealthy individual in the parable has lost the natural wherewithal,
the sensual responses and relaxed state of mind required to enjoy pleasure
and play. He is simply existing rather than living – and perhaps
it is a reflection of his ruthlessly selfish approach to life that when
he dies he does not receive a proper burial
or funeral, because he will not really be missed or mourned by those
he leaves behind.
Do
we really appreciate pleasure that God has provided – or are we
too busy doing “important” things? Do we ever truly rest
and find peace and contentment? Do we really savor the
food that goes into our mouths – or do we start each day gobbling
our breakfast of factory-made food, gulping down our coffee whilst opening
the mail and groaning at the bills, just before rushing out to rejoin
the rat-race and the traffic snarl-ups that tarnish our lives in our
so-called advanced society?
Can
we still pause to look at a pretty flower and the intricate detail of
its structure, the grain of a piece of wood, a busy bee gathering nectar,
even a fly or a worm – and gaze in wonder, and so actually absorb
something of the creative essence of God, then move on, inspired to
emulate that beauty and excellence in all we do?
Once
again, Paul seems to be citing Solomon when he points out that God,
Quote: “Richly provides us with all things to enjoy”
(1Timothy 6:17). How sad, then, that so many puritanical and self-righteous
religious individuals, claiming to be followers of Jesus and worshippers
of God, have worked so hard to impart just the opposite impression.