Deep inside us, there is a sense of something more in life that drives us on. No matter what experiences you’ve had, no matter how wonderful they were, they were just a glimpse of what is still ahead. You are really homesick for a place you have never been before, and that place is Heaven. You were wired this way.
The Bible reveals a profound truth about the human condition: "God has put eternity in our hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11, ESV). This means there is an innate sense within us that there is more to life than the fleeting moments we experience on earth. It’s a restless yearning, a quiet whisper that keeps us moving forward, searching for something greater. It’s akin to a homing instinct we observe in nature, like salmon battling upstream with relentless determination or swallows returning each year to San Juan Capistrano. We, too, have this instinct, but ours is for a destination we’ve never seen: Heaven. This homesickness for eternity shapes who we are and points us toward our ultimate hope.
The Apostle Paul captures this beautifully: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV). No matter what happens here on earth, whether joy or sorrow, it pales in comparison to the glory awaiting us. This is the hope of every believer: a better world, a heavenly home, something infinitely greater than what we know now.
In this post, we’ll dive into two key scriptures, Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 and John 14:2, to explore how God has placed eternity in our hearts and how this longing finds its fulfillment in the promise of heaven. We’ll unpack key phrases from the original Hebrew and Greek, using the English Standard Version, and reflect on what this means for our lives today. My prayer is that you’ll walk away encouraged, with a renewed sense of purpose and hope in your eternal destiny.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-11: A Glimmer of Hope in the Master of Time
Let’s begin with Ecclesiastes 3:9-11, where King Solomon, often called "the Preacher," reflects on life’s deeper meaning:
“What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (ESV)
This passage appears in a book renowned for its candid portrayal of life’s struggles. Solomon wrestles with the apparent futility of human effort, yet here he uncovers a glimmer of hope, a divine gift that sets humanity apart.
Exegesis of Key Phrases
“What gain has the worker from his toil?”
The Hebrew word for "toil" is ‘amal, which conveys hard, wearisome labor, often with a sense of frustration or futility. Solomon asks a question that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt their efforts amount to little. Without a bigger picture, our work can feel like chasing shadows. This sets the stage for a deeper revelation about life’s purpose.
“I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.”
The word "business" (Hebrew: ‘inyan) suggests a task or occupation. Solomon acknowledges that God has assigned humanity work to do, whether it’s raising families, building communities, or pursuing vocations. This isn’t meaningless; it’s part of God’s design. But it’s not the whole story.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
The Hebrew yapheh for "beautiful" implies something fitting, lovely, or appropriate. This phrase echoes the poetic rhythm of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (“For everything there is a season…”), affirming that God sovereignly orchestrates life’s seasons. Every moment, whether joy or pain, has a purpose in His timing, even if we don’t see it fully now.
“Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.”
Here’s the heart of the passage. The Hebrew word ‘olam translates to "eternity," meaning "forever," "ancient," or "everlasting." It’s a concept tied to God’s own nature, He is the Eternal One (Psalm 90:2). By placing ‘olam in our hearts, God has embedded within us an awareness of the infinite, a longing for something beyond the temporal. Commentator F.B. Meyer notes, “God made man in his own image; and nothing more surely attests to the greatness of our origin than those faculties of the soul which are capable of yearning for, conceiving, and enjoying the Infinite, the Immortal, and the Divine.” We bear His imprint, and this longing testifies to our divine origin.
“Yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”
Despite this gift of eternity, there’s a limit. The Hebrew matsa’ ("find out") suggests discovering or grasping fully. We sense the eternal, but God’s full plan, from creation to consummation, remains beyond our comprehension. This mystery keeps us humble, fostering faith as we trust in His unseen work.
Reflections on Eternity in Our Hearts
What does it mean that God has put ‘olam in our hearts? It’s the ache you feel when a sunset takes your breath away, yet leaves you wanting more. It’s the dissatisfaction after achieving a goal, realizing it didn’t fill the void. It’s the hope that stirs when you lose someone dear, whispering that death isn’t the end. C.S. Lewis captured this in Mere Christianity: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” This longing isn’t a flaw; it’s a compass, pointing us to God.
I remember a season of my life when everything seemed perfect: a stable job, a loving family, good health. Yet, late at night, I’d lie awake with an unexplainable restlessness. No amount of success or comfort could quiet it. That’s ‘olam at work, a God-given instinct that this world isn’t enough. It’s a homesickness for Heaven, nudging us toward the One who placed it there.
Solomon’s insight also has a missional echo. Missionary Don Richardson, in his book Eternity in Their Hearts, observed that nearly every culture has traditions or beliefs that reflect biblical truths, such as a longing for a lost paradise or a savior figure. These “redemptive analogies” show that ‘olam isn’t just personal; it’s universal, woven into humanity’s fabric, preparing us for the Gospel.
John 14:2: The Promise of a Heavenly Home
Now, let’s turn to John 14:2, where Jesus comforts His disciples before His crucifixion:
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (ESV)
This promise comes amid a troubling moment, the Last Supper, with betrayal and death looming. Yet Jesus shifts their gaze to a future hope, fulfilling the longing Solomon described.
Exegesis of Key Phrases
“In my Father’s house”
The Greek oikia ("house") paints a picture of a family dwelling, not a cold institution. Heaven is the home of God the Father, a place of intimacy and belonging. Jesus invites us into His family, assuring us we’re not outsiders but children with a place at the table.
“Are many rooms”
The word "rooms" (Greek: monai) derives from meno, meaning “to stay” or “remain.” Often translated “mansions” in older versions (like the KJV), it’s better understood as “dwelling places”, secure, permanent abodes within God’s house. The plural monai emphasizes abundance: there’s room for all who trust in Christ. Imagine Jesus smiling as He says this, envisioning billions from every nation gathered in His Father’s home.
Scholar R.V.G. Tasker notes that monai carries a sense of permanence, contrasting with temporary “stations” some suggest. In John 14:23, the same root word describes God dwelling in believers’ hearts, hinting that heaven is an extension of His presence with us now.
“I go to prepare a place for you”
The verb "prepare" (Greek: hetoimazo) means to make ready, often with care and intention. Jesus’ “going”, through His death, resurrection, and ascension, isn’t an abandonment but a purposeful act of love. Like a bridegroom preparing a home for his bride, He’s crafting a place uniquely for us. This isn’t abstract; it’s personal, tailored to our eternal relationship with Him.
Reflections on Heaven’s Promise
John 14:2 answers the restlessness of Ecclesiastes. The eternity in our hearts finds its home in the Father’s house, where Jesus Himself ensures our welcome. This isn’t speculation, as philosopher Socrates mused before his death, wondering about immortality. Jesus knows heaven and declares it with certainty (contrast this with Plato’s account of Socrates’ uncertainty, as G.C. Morrison highlights).
I think of my mother, who loved scripture. In her final years, cancer stole her ability to read, but she’d hold her worn Bible. She would recall the words, her heart clinging to the promise of a place prepared for her. That image reminds me: heaven is not just a concept, it’s a reality Jesus is actively shaping.
This promise transforms our longing into assurance:
Personal: Your place is prepared by Jesus, who knows you by name.
Abundant: There’s no shortage, monai means room for all who come.
Relational: The heart of heaven is being with Jesus, as He promises in verse 3, “that where I am, you may be also.”
Living with Eternity in Mind
Understanding that God has placed eternity in our hearts and that Jesus is preparing a place for us should change how we live. Here are four ways this truth can shape our daily walk:
Finding Purpose in the Mundane
Solomon’s question, “What gain has the worker from his toil?”, finds an answer in eternity. Our earthly tasks aren’t the end; they’re part of a bigger story. Colossians 3:23-24 urges, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord… you will receive the inheritance as your reward” (ESV). Whether washing dishes or leading a company, we can labor for God’s glory, knowing it echoes into eternity.
Enduring Trials with Hope
Life’s hardships test us, but heaven’s promise sustains us. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 remind us that troubles are temporary, preparing us for eternal glory. When my friend lost her child, she clung to this hope, picturing a reunion in the Father’s house. That vision doesn’t erase pain, but it anchors us beyond it.
Cultivating a Heavenly Mindset
Jesus calls us to “lay up… treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20, ESV). This means investing in what lasts, loving others, sharing Christ, living as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). It’s choosing generosity over greed, forgiveness over bitterness, knowing our true home awaits.
Embracing the Mystery
We sense eternity but can’t grasp God’s full plan. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us” (ESV). This invites faith, trusting Him when answers elude us, resting in His sovereignty.
The Homesickness That Leads Us Home
God has put eternity in our hearts, a restless longing that no earthly joy can fully satisfy. It’s a gift, stirring us to seek Him, the Eternal One who crafted us in His image. And in John 14:2, Jesus assures us this longing has a destination: a place in His Father’s house, prepared with love.
As you read this, pause and listen to your heart. Do you feel that homesickness for heaven? Let it draw you to Jesus, the Way to your true home (John 14:6). Life’s trials and triumphs are fleeting, but His promise endures. One day, the restlessness will cease, and we’ll step into the place He’s prepared, where we’ll finally belong.
Augustine prayed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” May that restlessness lead you home.
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