Wisdom Of The Teacher For College Students, Ch. 12Sample

These verses have been described as an allegory of old age. That may not speak to you now, but it will sooner than you think!

It may represent more what is happening with your grandparents or maybe even your parents at this moment in time. Understanding these verses may help you relate to them in a different manner. The Teacher reminds us that as we age, things change. We don’t see as well as we used to see. Our hearing is dulled. The joy of life is harder to summons because of all the aches and pains in the body. The things that once brought us pleasure are now not as important or fulfilling in our lives. 

Often older folks will seem to be infatuated with death. All their friends are dying, and they realize that they are too. That can be a tough season to walk through with those we love. In the end, the Teacher returns to the familiar refrain of the vanity of life. Despite all our struggle, the common end of all of humanity is to return to the dust from which we were made. 

Without the promise of the resurrection that would be a somber situation. Isn’t that where many of our peers are in their view of life? This gives us a great opportunity to speak into their worldview about the promises of the resurrection found in living as a follower of the resurrected Jesus!