Ecclesiastes 1:7-11 7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.
SOAP – Ecclesiastes 1:9-10
Solomon describes this life as repetitious and cyclical. He was searching for some experience or pleasure that would give his life meaning. He describes this world and all it has to offer as the life ‘under the sun’. He discovered that every experience without God brought the same result – fleeting temporary pleasure with a desire for something new and satisfying. There is nothing new under the sun. Our lives weren’t created for the pursuit of pleasure, but for God’s glory. Seeking things ‘under the sun’ in order to experience fulfillment which can only be found ‘above’ will leave us constantly seeking but never finding. Solomon traveled this futile journey distancing himself from God, so that we wouldn’t have to. There is nothing new under the sun. However, with Our God in Heaven, above the sun, all things are possible.