Ecclesiastes 2:16 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Ecclesiastes 2:16

Comments

Not only is death the common lot of all so that the accumulation of wisdom makes no difference to the individual himself, but neither does it make any difference to the memory of that individual among those who remain. Some console themselves with the thought that their fame will live on after they have died; they will be admired for their great learning and original thought, their innovative inventions, their deeds of bravery or self-sacrifice, but Solomon says that we should expect that nothing about us will be remembered. After all, how much do we remember about those who went before us? Only a tiny fraction of people live on in the collective memory. Among those who are remembered, there are just as many fools as wise. Concerning vast numbers of those who have given a benefit to subsequent generations, all trace of their names, their lives and their deeds have been lost.

Application

It is vanity, futility, for anyone to think that being remembered is some sort of consolation to them. Of course, all human beings are obsessed with themselves and love to think that others have them in mind, especially when remembered favourably or with affection. But in truth, we do not live in each other’s thoughts. What beggarly and feeble things people comfort themselves with! How powerless such things are to console us once we are taken from this world and our souls are lost. We build monuments to those who achieved greatness in the past, and some live out their lives hoping for the appreciation of future generations. But what we should truly be concerned about is how the Christ views us and whether he will remember us as his children or as those he never knew. If we live it is because we live to God, and have been reconciled to him.

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Ecclesiastes 2:16 Commentary and Bible Study