Introduction
We have spent the past six months looking at a book that contains many things that are difficult to understand. It’s a book you should continue to read and meditate upon. It’s truths are appropriate for all ages, but especially postmodern Westerners.
12:8 summarizes the Preacher’s thoughts. If Ecclesiastes ended at 12:8, our interpretation would have been different.
Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Ryken If there is no God, then there is no Judge. If there is no Judge, then there will be no Final Judgment. If there is no Final Judgment, there is no ultimate meaning to life. Nothing matters.
Apart from God, life is empty and joyless. This concluding passage gives the perspective that has only been hinted at before.
Moreover, people don’t fear God!
Key verse = 13. Fearing God (6x in Ecclesiastes) > keeping his commandments.
Truth transforms those who fear God and keep his commandments.
Truth Worth Writing About (9-10)
The unnamed editor that compiled the Preacher’s teaching only added his own words in a few places (1:1-2; 7:27; 12:9-14).
The Preacher was not only wise, but good at studying and arranging his understanding in a manner that was helpful to his readers.
Beyond that he was good at articulating his wisdom into distilled proverbs; joyful truths that could be understood, remembered, and easily applied.
There are those who write for the eyes. There are those who write for the ears. But treasure the words of those who write for the heart. The one capable of moving you is one who has himself been moved by his study. There is a palpable difference between the person who can write a stylish sentence for your eyes, and the person who delivers truth to your heart. The first wows, the latter transforms.
Augustine I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write.
The Preacher taught through his writing. He pondered, studied, then wrote what he learned. Writing was learning.
Jesus, himself, never wrote anything. Yet, it’s true, everything contained in this book is Christ’s word to you. It’s only through the work Christ accomplished and the Spirit that he supplies that any of it penetrates your heart.
Writing > …
Truth Worth Reading About (11-12)
The Preacher’s wise words have been like…
- Goads Pointed instruments used to prod animals. They painfully keep the animal focused on the subject at hand.
- Nails Possibly tent pegs, but most likely a nail attached to the end of the goad inducing action.
The idea is that the truth will prick our conscience resulting in action.
However, we should be aware that not all books will produce this kind of result.
The point is to emphasize the author of Scripture as our primary “Shepherd”. The Bible is one book you should never stop reading. In fact, it’s a collection of 66 books by about 40 writers, who were all inspired by one divine Author (2 Tim. 3:16).
Youth pastor teaching inspiration.2 Circled with one chair in the middle for blindfolded person. Felt silly until a new girl sat down,
- “I’m so miserable, I don’t know if I can stand my life anymore.” > No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13)
- “Nobody cares about me.” > I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jer. 31:3).
- “You do not understand…” (kicked out last night) > I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
“Why doesn’t God really talk to me that way?” He does!
The imagery ultimately finds fulfillment in our Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). He continues to lead as we read his word.
Writing > Reading > …
Truth Worth Teaching About (13-14)
The purpose of mankind:
- Fearing God (3:14; 5:7; 8:12). This could summarize all of the Bible’s wisdom literature. It is a fundamental aspect of true worship that rightly recognizes God’s sovereignty and power.
- Keeping his commandments. Jesus himself said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments”.
Why? We know that God will judge everything (14). Every word, thought, and deed will be judged, whether good/evil.
We need to say two things about this:
- God the Father sent his Son to bear the full weight of our sin in his death on the cross. He bore the penalty for our sin. His blood was shed for us. The wrath of God was poured out upon him entirely. What does that mean for the believer who will one day stand before his/her judge? John 5:22-24. Instead of death, we’ve received life!
- But this does not subtract all judgment for believers (For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Cor. 5:10). Good stewardship matters. Foolish living matters. Making wise choices matters. Obeying your parents matters. Listening to your children matters. It matters whether you work for God’s glory or despise it. It matters whether you read God’s Word or ignore it. We can’t simply sweep all our words, thoughts, and actions underneath the gospel carpet. Not at all. Everything has eternal significance!
Repentance is a call to transformation.
Conclusion
Truth transforms those who fear God and keep his commandments.
That truth was written down for us in God’s Word, therefore we should read it’s teaching with great expectation to hear from the Living God! And when God speaks, he creates change.
Ecclesiastes compels us to the solution-which is the Gospel-not by a direct route, but by making us weary of the alternatives which continually fail.
Augustine You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.
Have you found your rest in Christ alone as he is offered to you in the gospel?