This is your Reward in Life
After God completed his creation he“saw everything he had made, and indeed it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). Yet Ecclesiastes begins “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Quite a contrast, but it doesn’t end there: “what is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered” (Ecc. 1:2, 15). Thus the inspired author revealed how, in a world cursed by sin and limited by death, we can still find fulfillment and enjoyment. First, “nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor ... for it is his heritage” (Ecc. 5:18; see also, 2:24; 3:13, 22; 8:15). Second, “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun” (Ecc. 9:9)
The inspired conclusion: Our reward in life and in all our toil is.... enjoy life with the woman (or man) you love”. What an important truth all too easily missed. How many would give this answer if asked what was the most rewarding thing in their life? The divorce rate in our nation clearly indicates how few people agree with God on this. Yet it is the truth.
The efforts we put forth toward strengthening our marriage are the best investment we can make for a rewarding life. If we choose hobbies, entertainment, or friends over our husband/wife we will never gain this reward. They are only distractions bringing minimal returns. True joy and value (your reward in life) is found in the time spent developing a quality relationship with the woman/man you love. Anything else is leading us away from the greatest delights God created to enjoy.
This conclusion should be obvious when we remember how God created us. The crowning moment of creation was when God created mankind in his image and after his likeness (Gen. 1:26-31; Ps. 8:6). But the crowning moment of mankind’s creation was when God made a woman from the rib of Adam (Gen. 2:19-24). God made Adam alone and it soon became obvious to him that he was incomplete. The entire material creation and the majesty God created within man to take dominion and subdue it would have become empty without Eve.
Some things can only be enjoyed when shared with another who appreciates them with us. Because Adam did not have this, God saw “it was not good for man to be alone.” None of the animals, fish, or birds, as well as the things God created to be subdued or taken dominion (hobbies, challenges, entertainment) could create joy and sense of accomplishment without Eve to share it.
When Adam awoke and saw what God had done he said: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of Man. For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:23-24) Eve completed Adam and Adam completed Eve. Together they were one and fully prepared for every challenge and every enjoyment side by side. Since both were created in the image and likeness of God, true fellowship with the wife/husband of our youth will bring all this and truly “this is the reward of your labor.”
Many Proverbs state this truth, adding other aspects to reveal why it is true. “Rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Pr. 5:18). “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Pr. 12:44). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Pr. 18:22). “A prudent wife is from the LORD” (Pr. 19:14). “An excellent wife who can find? For her worth is far above rubies” (Pr. 31:10). “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all” (Pr. 31:28-29).
In marriage we share our joys and accomplishments and receive praise and respect from one another. No one can replace the wholesome sense of esteem and comfort we can gain in a good marriage.
From this foundation all the rewards of life come. Not only do the man and woman enjoy these great rewards, but they share them with their children, other family members, co-workers, brethren and fellow citizens. As goes the husband/wife so goes the family, church, job and country. When all is as it should be everything is enhanced and made better. This was God’s plan and when we put all our efforts into it, we are on the course that will lead to our greatest happiness and contentment.
When Paul used the “one flesh” of marriage to illustrate Christ’s relationship with his church, the words of Ecclesiastes echo again. “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph. 5:28).
The inspired conclusion: Our reward in life and in all our toil is.... enjoy life with the woman (or man) you love”. What an important truth all too easily missed. How many would give this answer if asked what was the most rewarding thing in their life? The divorce rate in our nation clearly indicates how few people agree with God on this. Yet it is the truth.
The efforts we put forth toward strengthening our marriage are the best investment we can make for a rewarding life. If we choose hobbies, entertainment, or friends over our husband/wife we will never gain this reward. They are only distractions bringing minimal returns. True joy and value (your reward in life) is found in the time spent developing a quality relationship with the woman/man you love. Anything else is leading us away from the greatest delights God created to enjoy.
This conclusion should be obvious when we remember how God created us. The crowning moment of creation was when God created mankind in his image and after his likeness (Gen. 1:26-31; Ps. 8:6). But the crowning moment of mankind’s creation was when God made a woman from the rib of Adam (Gen. 2:19-24). God made Adam alone and it soon became obvious to him that he was incomplete. The entire material creation and the majesty God created within man to take dominion and subdue it would have become empty without Eve.
Some things can only be enjoyed when shared with another who appreciates them with us. Because Adam did not have this, God saw “it was not good for man to be alone.” None of the animals, fish, or birds, as well as the things God created to be subdued or taken dominion (hobbies, challenges, entertainment) could create joy and sense of accomplishment without Eve to share it.
When Adam awoke and saw what God had done he said: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of Man. For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:23-24) Eve completed Adam and Adam completed Eve. Together they were one and fully prepared for every challenge and every enjoyment side by side. Since both were created in the image and likeness of God, true fellowship with the wife/husband of our youth will bring all this and truly “this is the reward of your labor.”
Many Proverbs state this truth, adding other aspects to reveal why it is true. “Rejoice with the wife of your youth” (Pr. 5:18). “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Pr. 12:44). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Pr. 18:22). “A prudent wife is from the LORD” (Pr. 19:14). “An excellent wife who can find? For her worth is far above rubies” (Pr. 31:10). “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all” (Pr. 31:28-29).
In marriage we share our joys and accomplishments and receive praise and respect from one another. No one can replace the wholesome sense of esteem and comfort we can gain in a good marriage.
From this foundation all the rewards of life come. Not only do the man and woman enjoy these great rewards, but they share them with their children, other family members, co-workers, brethren and fellow citizens. As goes the husband/wife so goes the family, church, job and country. When all is as it should be everything is enhanced and made better. This was God’s plan and when we put all our efforts into it, we are on the course that will lead to our greatest happiness and contentment.
When Paul used the “one flesh” of marriage to illustrate Christ’s relationship with his church, the words of Ecclesiastes echo again. “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Eph. 5:28).