The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 52 Fear God and Keep His Commandments! Nothing Else Matters.

We have reached the last paragraph of the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is going to review the results from all of his investigations and observations. 

Remember, Solomon wrote some of this book later in his life, after the bitter experience of having his heart turned away from Jehovah. 

Yet, some of what he wrote reflected on when he still followed the LORD diligently. 

Solomon gave his best effort to discover truth to teach his people. 

Ecclesiastes 12:9  And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 

This text summarizes how King Solomon began as a young man. He first sought out the LORD and requested wisdom so that he could judge the people rightly.

The phrase "the preacher was wise" is of interest. The word translated "wise" means that Solomon was blessed with many levels of wisdom. 

These included ethical wisdom, spiritual wisdom, technical wisdom, political wisdom and administrative wisdom. 

His rule over a unified Israel had many noteworthy accomplishments of infrastructure projects, technical innovations, agricultural  advancements, and military might. 

These were made possible by Solomon's excellent administrative skills.  

He gave "good heed" and thought about what wisdom would be most beneficial to impart to the Israelite people. 

He "taught" the people which means he skillfully trained them in these things.  He "sought out" the best wisdom from the sources available to him, by conducting a thorough investigation.

When he was satisfied that he had the best available wisdom at his fingertips, he organized the materials. 

The phrase "set in order" is from a Hebrew word that is only found three times in the Bible, and all of them are in Ecclesiastes. 

It means making it straight, which means making it easy to understand and apply by all who hear or read this wisdom.  

He didn't just impulsively teach wisdom off the cuff. Rather, he carefully meditated and thought about what was most needful and most valuable to his hearers. 

A good portion of his wisdom material, is recorded in the book of Proverbs, which Solomon also wrote. 

1 Kings 4:34  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. 

God granted Solomon wisdom unlike any other person since that day. Many nations both near and far, heard of the wisdom and fame of Solomon. They came to hear Solomon speak with the wisdom God gave him.

This tells us that some of Solomon's wisdom was communicated orally to his own people, perhaps at specified times. 

Some of Solomon's wisdom was orally communicated to foreign dignitaries, who traveled expressly to hear the king speak about many matters. 

Truth was carefully prepared to pass on to future generations. 

Ecclesiastes 12:10  The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 

Here we read a bit more detail concerning how Solomon set these things in order, and what he wanted to communicate. 

Truth was his main focus. Of course, this included eternal truth which Jehovah communicated to him. 

However, he also learned some technical skills from other nations, such as mathematics and construction techniques. 

These skills greatly enhanced his ability to construct buildings, roads, bridges throughout his kingdom. 

Wise words prod us to stay on the holy path that pleases God. 

Ecclesiastes 12:11  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 

Wise words from men of integrity are like goads used to make the sheep or cattle go in the right direction. Wisdom learned and applied is like a master carpenter using nails to securely build something. 

Do not be distracted from finding God's truth. 

Ecclesiastes 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 

Now, Solomon points his son to the inspired scriptures. God's Word is the best, most valuable truth that we can take in. 

His Word will correct us when we are tempted to go astray. It will encourage us when life is hard or when sorrows press in on us. 

Therefore, it is best of all for us to be guided, instructed and admonished by the Word of God.

Many men spend untold hours writing books about things that do not matter. Furthermore, the process of studying secular things is wearying. 

Solomon now gives us his final conclusion about all these matters he discussed in the book of Ecclesiastes. 

Final, powerful conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments!

Ecclesiastes 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

The whole duty and obligation of mankind to God, the Creator and sustainer of all life is this: "Fear God and keep His commandments."

Solomon is not talking about a fear of God where we fall down trembling in terror, and afraid that He has it in for us.

No, this "fear" speaks of respect, reverence, and a high regard for our God. This kind of fear helps us worship Him in Spirit and in truth. 

It helps us go through the straight gate and walk on the narrow path that leads to eternal life. It is a spiritually healthy fear that reminds us God is our Creator and we are merely His creatures. 

Matthew 22:36-40  Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38)  This is the first and great commandment. 39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

Jesus summarized how to keep the whole moral law of God. Love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and love our neighbors, friends, and family, as we love ourselves. 

Judgement day will come and all will stand before Holy God. 

Ecclesiastes 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Solomon ends the book with a warning to all, that there will come a day of judgment. Holy God will judge every one of our sins. 

No sin is ever hidden from His piercing eyes. No man can cover up his sins, for "be sure your sin will find you out" (See Numbers 32:23). 

Believers in Jesus Christ can praise God, for our sins have been judged in Christ. Jesus bore our sin debt on His cross, and His death for our sins, is accounted for our death. (The wages of sin is death).

His resurrection and life, means that we too, shall live before God. The Father declares each believer in Christ as fully justified and righteous in His sight, because of our repentant faith in His Son. 

Conclusion

Let us take heed to what God says to us through Solomon.

Let us pour our energy into pursuing the things of God with all our heart, mind and soul.

Let us learn more of God that we might appropriately fear and love Him.  

Let us learn God's commandments and live by obeying them.

This is best for us, and God is so good to communicate this to us. 

Bob