Fear God Because Death Comes Quickly
December 29, 2021
Commentary
This chapter seems to be saying, “Don’t be upset because youth fades” (v. 1). Be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.” As Christians, we must learn to be content even in our aging body. God takes us through the cycles of life because we are homeward bound. The writer uses three illustrations to explain these cycles of life:
1. Life gathers like the weather (v. 2). Our sight will be impaired and clouds of trouble will come but if we have decided to follow the Lord we know where we are headed.
2. Life is like a great house in decline (vv. 3-4). “When keepers of the hands tremble” refers to our hands and arms shaking. When “strong men stoop” this refers to our legs and feet getting weak. “When the grinders cease” refers to the teeth falling out and “the windows grow dim” means we loose our eyesight.
3. Life is frail like all fragile things (vv. 5-8). The teacher uses the following poetic illustrations here to show human life in a state of decline: (1) the almond tree; (2) the grasshopper; (3) mourners stirred; (4) the silver cord broken; (5) the golden bowl broken; (6) the pitcher broken; (7) the wheel is broken; (8) dust return to the ground. All is futile and empty (v. 8).
Finally we come to the conclusion of the whole matter (vv. 9-14). The problems of life today are similar to the problem of life several thousand years ago. All people will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life.
Application
It is foolish for me to spend my life striving for the very happiness that God wants to give me freely through the cycles of this life, in preparation for the life to come.
Ecclesiastes 12:1– 14 (NET)
1 So remember your Creator in the days of your youthā before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, āI have no pleasure in themā;
2 before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain;
3 when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim,
4 and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint,
5 and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up ā because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streetsā
6 before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cisternā
7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the lifeās breath returns to God who gave it.
8 āAbsolutely futile!ā laments the Teacher, āAll these things are futile!ā
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.
10 The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings.
11 The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd.
12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.
13 Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.