Limitations of Man (Ecc 6: 10-12)

LIMITATIONS OF MAN (Ecc 6: 10-12):

There are many new inventions and discoveries that are made continuously in the world by human beings. The author looks at the world of his time and says about human beings who were existing from the beginning of time. The first human being was named as a man by the Lord God and the man had his own limitations though God created him in His own image. Human beings have a greater knowledge and understanding of creativity to utilize everything in the world. The sole purpose of God’s creation of man was to make Him a steward over God’s creation. In spite of all the qualities that were given by God to man, it is true that a normal human being cannot contend with a superior being than him. Also, no being could dominate something or someone mightier whether it is another being and thereby the almighty God.

Looking at the own limitations of the self, a man could see that there are many things that increase vanity. There is no way a person could change the course of the things that happen around him. There is no remembrance of any of the achievements by a person after some time. All the people in spite of being wise or fool, rich or poor, dark or fair, high in position or poor in position, there is only a common destination that is death. So, the author arrives at a point with a question that no man would claim themselves to be better as they all have to face certain things in nature in common, being good or bad.

The author again points out the limitations of human beings using two questions that there is no one who knows what is good for a man in this life and all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow. Also, the author adds that there is no one who could tell the man what shall be after him under the sun. When the person doesn’t define the purpose of his life and give meaning to life, it would be of vain things as there could be no reason or direction for living and it would be just like a shadow that passes after some time. God the creator alone could define what is good for man in this life. There is no human being who could tell the fellow human being, what would be happening under the sun after he dies. Even if he tells, it is not valid as he is the same finite being.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.    What does the author say about something named already?

2.    Why a man cannot contend with someone who is mightier?

3.    Why man is not better?

4.    How we could acknowledge God?

5.    How does seeing many things increases vanity?

6.   Could any man define what is good for man in this life? Justify?

7.    How we could find goodness in life?

8.    Why does the author say that the vain life of man is spent as a shadow?

9.    Could any man say what would be after him under the sun? Justify?

10. How a man could get the assurance and hope for what would be after him under the sun?