Solomon begins Ecclesiastes, in this episode, by declaring that life is empty when God is left out, showing that work, routine, and the pursuit of wisdom cannot give lasting purpose. He describes the monotonous cycles of nature to illustrate how life feels futile without a higher perspective. Solomon’s own search through education, knowledge, and intellectualism only increased his grief, because human wisdom cannot straighten what is crooked in this fallen world. True meaning is found not in earthly pursuits but in looking “above the sun,” where purpose comes from knowing God and living for Him.

In this lesson from Ecclesiastes 2, we see how Solomon pursued every earthly avenue, hoping to find purpose, only to discover each one left him empty. He found that even when he withheld nothing from himself, the result was still “vanity and vexation of spirit.” His experiment shows that nothing “under the sun”—which is all temporary and unable to give lasting meaning—can satisfy the human heart. True purpose, joy, and fulfillment are found only in God Himself, rather than in the world.

As we continue to consider this series question, Solomon reminds us that life is short, challenges are coming with aging, and that death is inevitable for us all. In this message on Ecclesiastes 12, he teaches us to remember our Creator from our youth, that we might use our lives and our time wisely to fully live for God and His purposes, which is the only thing that has lasting meaning. After exploring every avenue for purpose, Solomon concludes that life lived apart from God ends in “vanity,” but life lived for the Creator is joyful and purposeful.

Moses, grieved by Israel’s sin with the golden calf, met with God in a special tent outside the camp where the Lord spoke with him, revealing the privilege of intimate fellowship with God. This teaching from Exodus 33 continues to show how Moses pleaded for God’s presence to remain with His favored nation, and God granted Moses’ request, promising His presence and then allowing Moses a guarded glimpse of His glory, while shielding him in the cleft of a rock. The passage teaches that true purpose is found in seeking God’s presence, knowing Him more, and living for His glory.

This episode focuses on Isaiah 6, which opens with a national crisis that drives Isaiah to the temple, where he receives a life altering vision of the Lord that reveals Christ’s transcendent holiness and sovereign rule. After the temple is shaken by the seraphim, a seraph touches Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar—symbolic of the cleansing provided through Christ’s future sacrifice. When God asks, “Whom shall I send?,” Isaiah eagerly responds, “Here am I; send me,” modeling the purpose, humility, and willingness that should characterize all who serve the Lord.

In this lesson, we learn that while writing to the Philippians from prison, the Apostle Paul is confident that God will bring about his deliverance. His greater concern, however, is that Christ be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death, meaning that living allows him to serve Christ, while dying brings him into Christ’s presence. Though he longs “to depart, and to be with Christ,” he recognizes that remaining is more needful for the Philippians’ spiritual growth, which demonstrates that true purpose, joy, and meaning are found in living for Christ and placing others’ needs above our own.