“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” -Michelangelo (1475-1564)

 Three thousand years ago, an aging King Solomon (probable author of Ecclesiastes) pondered his days rotating around the sun. 

“For who knows what is good for a man in life during the few meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone? –Ecclesiastes 6:12 

Today, Joe Rogan, host of The Joe Rogan Experience, said in a dialogue with Aaron Rogers (of football fame), “I think as time rolls on, people are going to understand the need to have some sort of divine structure to things, some sort of belief in the sanctity of love and truth. And a lot of that comes from religion. And unfortunately, a lot of intelligent people, they dismiss all of the positive aspects of religion because they think that stories are superstitious fairy tales.” (The Joe Rogan Experience, Feb 7, Episode 2,099) 

The carpe diem attitude of the “worldly intelligent” crowd is not original. The theme of “seize the day”  exhortation resonates throughout Ecclesiastes. The King instructs the brevity of life limits us and is short on lasting rewards.  

 He urges the reader to clarify moments in ebbing and flowing, waxing and waning and records time in terms of events when concrete conditions exist that are unalterably fixed by a higher power:

There is a time for every activity under the heavens: 

A time to be born and a time to die, 

A time to plant and time to uproot, 

A time to kill and time to hear, a time to tear down and a time to build, 

A time to weep and a time to laugh, 

A time to mourn and time to dance…(chapter 3)

 The King gives earthly insights using the phrase “under the sun” 29 times and refers to the cyclic nature of human life that can become monotonous, even if you are a monarch with abundant luxuries. For the most part, the author leaves God out of his ruminations until the end. 

The Teacher ultimately recognizes the rule and reign of God in the world in his life journey. 

“Now all has been heard: here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Joe Rogan, who is not known for his careful choice of words and does not shy away from talking about the anxieties and concerns of the worldly culture, sounded a little like Solomon in his chat with Rogers. His “divine structure” may be what the world is longing for. 

 Solomon’s concise lifetime wisdom is no fairy tale:  

“Fear God and Do What He Tells You.” 

King Solomon would be a great guest on an upcoming Joe Rogan show. 👑

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, 

I lack nothing when I follow you…let me worship You in your perfect Holiness. 

“Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

    for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Ps 34) 

Keep me from chasing after meaningless things and know what has lasting value.  Help me not to grow weary and refresh my soul to do my work, delighting in my duty to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.