In this last chapter, Solomon’s words seem to register with my spirit. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you will be blind, too. And when your teeth are gone, keep your lips tightly closed when you eat! Even the chirping of birds will wake you up. But you yourself will be deaf and tuneless, with a quavering voice. You will be afraid of heights and of falling, white-haired and withered, dragging along without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death’s door. And as you near your everlasting home, the mourners will walk along the streets.
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Yes, Lord! Solomon is saying honor our father in heaven now, while we all are in our right minds and our limbs are still nimble. Throughout this book, Solomon has also been saying live life and be happy because this process of life is meaningless…the rules and regulations of life are meaningless. Therefore, is Solomon telling us to choose to be happy before it is too late, before everything is broken and we exit this earth? Has he been saying all of this time to abandon the rules and regulations of man, connect and honor, personally, with God, and then live your life and be happy?)
“All is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “utterly meaningless.” (Wow! There it is again. The wisest man on the planet, in his final thoughts, keep saying that life is meaningless. All of this time, from the introduction of Ecclesiastes to this final chapter, I’ve been waiting for this turn around in Solomon’s attitude, and it has not happened. Am I missing something, or is he right?)
Concluding Thoughts
Because the Teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them. Indeed, the Teacher taught the plain truth, and he did so in an interesting way.
A wise teacher’s words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd. (Yes, Lord!)
But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting! (It’s interesting that Solomon identifies these wise sayings as opinions. Are we to live by the opinions of others? Lord, you are amazing!)
Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his command, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12) (Yes, Lord! So people…BE OPEN, HONEST, AND TRANSPARENT AND TELL THE TRUTH!!!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for consistently speaking to our spirit and allowing us to digest this last chapter of Solomon’s thoughts, and somehow make sense of it, if not for everyone, at least for myself. Just yesterday, I was stuck in my thoughts regarding this chapter, and in your perfect timing, you gave these thoughts to me this morning! Lord, you are amazing and we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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