Ecclesiastes 11:9–10; 12:1–5, 13–14

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

What’s the Bottom Line?
Ecclesiastes 11:9–10; 12:1–5, 13–14
The Book of Ecclesiastes is an enigma to many. From beginning to end, it seems to say that life is meaningless, empty and like chasing after the wind. Why would God include such a depressing message in His revelation?

First, it shows the futility of life when looking from a man-centered perspective. Second, it instructs young people not to get caught in the trap of filling the void in their life with anything other than God. Finally, it offers a bottom line: this is what God expects of you.

Face God-given Boundaries (11:9–10)
Enjoy life while you are young. Be happy about the things you are doing. Do whatever your heart tells you to do and your eyes desire. Keep in mind, however, that you will answer to God for everything you do. Wait a minute. How can you say, “Do what you want to do” and “Remember God’s judgment” at the same time? It’s simple, really. 

God has given us freedom to choose our own way and responsibility to account for our choices. He has given us boundaries to protect us from the consequences of our sins. We tell toddlers “no” when they get too close to a hot oven to protect them. God does the same for us, but He allows the scars when we disobey.

Christians can enjoy life and be in God’s will at the same time. The key is to find joy in obeying God’s will. What better time is there to learn to enjoy God’s will than when we are young? What easier way is there to adjust our priorities to His than while we are still teachable?

Focus on God Early (12:1–5)
Concentrate on your Creator in the days of your youth because your physical life will get more difficult. As we age, hands begin to shake, backs begin to curve, grinding teeth fall out, eyesight diminishes, hearing becomes less acute, sleep is needed less at night, hair turns white and legs lose their strength. Finally death overcomes us and loved ones mourn our passing. All of these are mentioned through analogy in this passage.

I had the opportunity to talk with my grandfather about his spiritual condition in 1986. Granddaddy spoke about how the preacher read about the silver cord and the golden bowl (12:6–7) and he preached about life and death and remembering God while still young. At the age of 11, Granddaddy repented of his sins and trusted Christ to save him. Seventy-four years later, he clearly described the event and told me this passage marked his life. Granddaddy died a week later, knowing he had peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Fear God (12:13–14)
In the verses prior to our next passage, we learn more about wisdom. We get the impression that the Teacher may have been King Solomon. Qohelet (the Teacher) was wise, taught others knowledge and gathered collections of proverbs and other wise sayings. He expressed the benefit of wisdom literature, writing that they are like ox goads or nails, penetrating our very lives.

These last verses address the fear of God. Today people believe that that fear is a bad concept. They think, “We should rid our lives of thoughts and aggressions that cause us to fear.” But the truth is that fearing God is good for us. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). Nehemiah chose a man to govern Jerusalem who feared God more than most did (Neh. 7:2). The apostle Paul quoted from Psalm 36:1 when he issued an indictment on lost people in Romans 3:18 — “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

“Fear God and keep His commands”; this is the bottom line, for judgment is coming. We understand fearing God to mean having a reverential respect for God’s sovereignty and His covenant relationship with us through Jesus the Messiah. Keeping His commands means knowing and doing His will. Our salvation is not based on keeping His commandments (Rom. 5:1; 8:1), but as Christians, we must prepare for judgment. “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad. Knowing then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade people” (2 Cor. 5:10–11a).