I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 12:1-14 R EMEMBER G OD IN O UR Y OUTH —T HE C ONCLUSION

I NTRODUCTION Solomon is going to conclude his advice to the young Also going to draw a “ conclusion ” concerning life based on: –Experiences –Observations –Human wisdom –Truth of divine wisdom

E CCLESIASTES 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them" "

E CCLESIASTES 12:2 “ While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain. "

R EMEMBERING C REATOR Remember one can enjoy their youth But must also remember the Creator Should serve God with zeal and strength –Proverbs 22:6 Danger of putting off serving God “ Years draw near ”—speaking of old age Without God one cannot truly enjoy life

R EMEMBERING C REATOR The Three “ R ” words of youth: –R ejoice –R emove –R emember

E CCLESIASTES 12:3 “ In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:4 “When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:5 “ Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:6 “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:7,8 “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity. "

D ESCRIPTION OF O LD A GE “Keepers of the house tremble” –Refers to one’s arms and hands “The strong men bow down” –Legs and back “When grinders cease and they are few” –One’s teeth “Those that look through windows are dim” –One’s eyes

D ESCRIPTION OF O LD A GE “When the doors are shut in the streets, sound of grinding is low” –Refers to one’s ears “When one rises up at the sound of a bird” –Light sleepers “All daughters of music brought low” –Empty sounds “They are afraid of height, and terrors in the way” –Afraid of heights and obstacles placed before them

D ESCRIPTION OF O LD A GE “When almond tree blossoms” –Refers to hair turning white “The grasshopper a burden” –Small things tend to annoy “And desire fails” –Appetites and desires cease “Man goes to eternal home” –Either heaven/hell “Mourners go about the streets” –Reality of death is near

D ESCRIPTION OF O LD A GE “The silver cord is loosed” –Refers to figurative expression of death “The golden bowl is broken” –Attached by a chain “The pitcher shattered at the fountain” –Old age causes bones to snap and shatter “The wheel broken at the well” –Let down the pitcher goes off the pulley and broken at the bottom

D ESCRIPTION OF O LD A GE “Dust return to the earth” –Refers to physical deterioration is complete and body returns to dust –Genesis 3:19 “The spirit goes back to God who gave it” –Dual nature of man—continued existence –James 2:26 “Vanities of vanities—all is vanity” –Book closes as it opened –Earthly pursuits are futile

E CCLESIASTES 12:9,10 “ And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright-words of truth. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:11,12 “ The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. "

E CCLESIASTES 12:13,14 “ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. "

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS Author identifies himself –“ The Preacher ” A wise man who diligently sought after and delivered wisdom Taught the people knowledge: –Pondered –Sought out –Set in order many proverbs

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS How did Solomon determine to teach this “ knowledge ”? –Find delightful words –Write –Preach words of truth –Correctly support the conclusions –No one can make better points than God!

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS “Words of wise are like goads” –Used to urge forward and prod oxen. The words of the wise prod us and encourage us “Like well-driven nails” –Nails fastened things and words of wisdom can establish and strengthen us “Given by one Shepherd” –Words given by God—God is the source of His message

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS But beyond this… Referring to books “ beyond ” God’s word “Making of many books no end” –Men will continue to offer their wisdom “Must study a wearisome to the flesh” –Men can study the words of many men –Ultimate knowledge cannot be attained by human wisdom –Only study of God’s word will prove profitable –Not discouraging study—caution…

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS Now comes the “ grand conclusion ” of everything that has been considered Solomon has presented the evidence “Fear God” –Must first respect God—His power and authority “Keep His commandments” –Most important to be obedient “The whole duty of man” –Complete purpose and reason for existence

F EAR G OD — K EEP C OMMANDMENTS Why should one fear God and keep the commandments? –One will give an account of his choices –Base on our behavior –Everything will be exposed before God –Secret or known all will be judged 2 Corinthians 5:10 Romans 14:10-12 Revelation 20:11-15 Acts 17:30,31

C ONCLUSION Need to keep things in proper focus Life is to be enjoyed but in the right way We need to trust God, do our part, and things will take care of themselves A life without God is meaningless and unprofitable Only with God in one’s life can man find true meaning, happiness and purpose in life What is the “primary concern” in your life?