[325]. A Message From A Poem - Vanitas Vanitatum – Part 3 Of 3

[325]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - VANITAS VANITATUM – PART 3 of 3

This poem begins with the story of a man who is committed to so many things but in the end he became worn out and finally could not find fulfillment in what he was doing. He began to despair and could not see the purpose of life. Life has no purpose if you live selfishly but most importantly, satisfaction in life can only be found when your life is committed to God.

This is a long poem and after speaking about the man who could not find fulfillment, I then move to the body of the poem, which is based on the book of Ecclesiastes. We take up the message of the preacher. A lot of the material for the poem comes from Ecclesiastes.

The title “Vanitas Vanitatum” is the Latin for “Vanity of Vanities” – {{Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 “VANITY OF VANITIES,” says the Preacher. “VANITY OF VANITIES! ALL IS VANITY.” What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?”}}

All the work of man without the Lord’s direction is vanity because – {{1 Timothy 6:7 “for we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either,”}} meaning that if that is all there is to life then all is vanity. The following verse is much in line with the theme of Ecclesiastes – {{Ecclesiastes 1:14 “I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and BEHOLD, ALL IS VANITY and striving after wind.”}}

The world is full of farce and showmanship and the emptiness of Hollywood and the rock scene, night clubbing and worthless endeavours. People try one thing and another to find satisfaction but all is vain, that is, all is vanity in the end.

To go through life and right at the end you come up with this conclusion, it is very sad ? Ecclesiastes 2:11 “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labour which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun”}}

For the man who has never made the Lord God his goal but instead pursues money and fame and pleasure and selfish independence, when his life closes and he looks back, all he sees is emptiness and vanity. It reminds me of the words of an older hymn being neglected these days by so many –

[[None by Christ can satisfy]]. Here is the chorus –

“Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me!

There's love and life and lasting joy,

Christ Jesus, found in Thee.”

Because this poem is too large for one posting I have had to split it into two parts. I hope you like it and are interested to see it through to the end.

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VANITAS VANITATUM – PART 3 of 3

The preacher noticed the way righteous men were treated badly

By the hand of evil men. Those deeds he called futility.

He saw also the way evil men had action against them

By righteous men. This the preacher also called futility.

He concluded the best outcome was: eat, drink, be merry.

He therefore commended pleasure for people living their lives.

Solomon was the preacher, a man of mottled behaviour.

And a man who lives for pleasure, therefore, himself he deprives.

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Man does not know his time. Like a fish in a treacherous net

He is suddenly caught. Like birds in a trap, he is ensnared.

When times are evil, sudden mishap encounters anyone.

The godly man will not persecute the wicked ones declared,

But the wicked persecute the godly. Satan is their guide.

Folly will exalt itself in high places and reign as king.

Evil men are elevated, and righteous men are debased.

This grows worse, but to God’s resources, the righteous ones will cling.

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There was a small city with few men in it. There came a king,

A great one, against it, and surrounded it, and besieged it.

In the city there was a poor, wise man who delivered it

By his wisdom, yet he was not remembered one little bit.

The wisdom of the poor, righteous man is despised in the earth.

Wisdom is better than weapons, but one sinner destroys much.

We live in times when goodness is debased; evil’s exalted.

We can’t control the world’s gears, as we don’t operate the clutch.

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Dead flies make the perfumer’s oil stink, so don’t put bad in good,

For a little foolishness will destroy honour and wisdom.

Folly weighs as lead, and righteousness, a feather, before men.

The heart of a wise man will always direct him to freedom,

But the foolish heart directs its owner to the left, not right.

God directs the wise one to the right; the foolish to the left.

The words of the wise are gracious; those of the fool consume him.

When rulers and kings are but lads, the citizens are bereft.

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The preacher continued with words of wisdom and taught also.

He taught knowledge; pondered, and searched out proverbs. Those he arranged.

He sought out delightful words; to write correctly, words of truth.

Collections of wise words are like well driven nails, not exchanged.

The nails are given by the Shepherd, but be warned of one thing –

The writing of many books is endless, but churned out today.

Excessive devotion to books is tiring to the body.

Be moderate in ev’rything. Let wisdom direct your way.

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Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before

Evil days come, and hardships arise, and you depart from God.

Folly and pleasures throughout this world will buy your soul for nought;

Corrupted hearts will very quickly forget the paths they trod.

Man will go to his eternal home, with mourners in the street.

Remember the Lord God before the silver cord is broken,

And the golden bowl is crushed; the wheel at the cistern is crushed;

And the pitcher at the well face is shattered. God has spoken.

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Man, as dust, will return to the earth as it was. The spirit

Of man will return to God who gave it. This, God has declared.

“Vanity of Vanities,” preacher says, “all is vanity!”

Not one aspect in the universe can with God, be compared.

The conclusion is to fear God, and keep all His commandments.

This regulation set by God, to ev’ry person, applies.

God will bring every act to judgement, so be so careful –

All that is hidden, open, good or bad; with joy or with cries.

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Vanitas Vanitatum - vanity and futility.

We have laid out here wisdom, and the state of the world we know.

There is a distinct difference between wisdom and folly.

The world pursues both folly and vanity; in strength they grow.

Men are chasing after the wind for they reject righteousness.

Vanitas Vanitatum! All is vanity - man’s own choice.

Let us choose the path of wisdom found in the bible alone;

Reject folly and embrace righteousness. The soul will rejoice.

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Ron Ferguson 28-31 December 2020 15 throughout ABCBDEFE