Highlights:
Our relationship to our Creator is stressed in today's reading. We continue studying man's problems. Despite wisdom, death is certain. Beware of a little folly. Now we find the conclusion of the matter. Good advice for the natural man is in the final verses: Hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments. . . . For God shall bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:13-14).
Solomon was famous for his wisdom, but he could be misunderstood when he said: Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes (Eccl. 11:9). Not continuing his message would imply he was encouraging youth to let passion and pleasure go unchecked; but he continued: But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Solomon spent his lifetime searching for pleasure from every worldly source, but he used the word vanity (emptiness) over 30 times in the Book of Ecclesiastes and concluded that, after living his life ignoring the Word of God, that life was vanity of vanities (12:8). Before finishing his message, Solomon restated the basis for true wisdom: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. . . . Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (12:1,13). Since the purposes of God apply to all of us, we should continue to seek opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God.
Life satisfaction results from giving one's time, talents, and resources to fulfill the will of God. This is the only true source of happiness, peace of mind, and genuine enjoyment in life, for we were created to fulfill His purpose. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).
Therefore, it is foolish to seek riches, security, power, popularity, or fleeting goals in life merely for earthly self-satisfaction. It is also vanity to give way to the lust of the flesh (gratification of the physical nature), and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:16).
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (I Cor. 3:18-19).
Thought for Today:
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matt. 21:22).
Christ Revealed:
In the statement: For God shall bring every work into judgment (Eccl. 12:14). Jesus will judge all, for the Father (God) judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (Jesus) (John 5:22).
Word Studies:
10:14 is full of words =b> talks as though he knows everything about which he knows nothing; 10:15 he knoweth not how to go to the city =b> he is ignorant concerning the most obvious matters; 12:11 goads =b> rods sharpened at the ends, used in driving oxen (Judges 3:31; I Samuel 13:21); The words of the wise are as goads =b> The words of wisdom rouse into action to do right.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Government Official: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA) • Country: Sweden (8.09 million) in northern Europe • Major language: Swedish • Religious freedom • 90% Evangelical Lutheran; 1.5% Roman Catholic; 1% Pentecostal; 4% Muslim; 3.5% Other (Orthodox, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and intercede for your family (Job 1:5).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 7
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:10