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. 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. Ecclesiastes 12:11-14
The English title, “Ecclesiastes,” comes from the Greek and Latin translations meaning “Preacher.” The book chronicles Solomon’s investigations and conclusions with most of which, he is looking back at his own life’s mistakes, in regarding man’s lifework, combining all of his activities of pursuing potential pleasures and limited satisfaction. The role of wisdom surfaces repeatedly particularly when Solomon must acknowledge that God has not revealed all of life’s details. Whenever we read the Bible we should listen carefully, or should I say, “prayerfully,” to what God says, and be admonished whether we think that will never happen to me or not, when were young or during our senior years in this life. We are never too old to get wiser or act like a fool. We can read many books about many subject matters, but let us major on what God says through His written Word to us, and live a life of wisdom. If you fear God, you need not fear nothing else. You will be safe in the Father’s will for your life. Let’s have a look.
It is with the examples of two shepherds tools that Solomon refers to in showing his understanding of what it means to learn life’s most meaningful lessons. In one viewpoint, “goads” are used to motivate reluctant animals, the other, “well-driven nails” are dependable multipurpose in use, these are picture aspects of applying wisdom to one’s life. One Shepherd—True wisdom has its source which comes from God alone. Books written on any other subject proved to Solomon to be far less than what anyone could be hoping to find fulfillment from. Here, Solomon again is recalling in hindsight his quest for knowledge and pleasure in this life. Here is someone you could say, “had it all!” We often wonder today, what it would be like to have such riches, such opulent lifestyles of the rich and famous, look at those people! What were forgetting is that Jesus said to us, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12: 48). Ignorance of God’s laws will never be an excuse for anyone who will one day face God’s judgment, just like ignorance of the law does not prevent you from getting a ticket. There is a spiritual application here for us, If you or I would pursue anything in this life, no matter what it is, pleasure, knowledge through education, prominent standing socially or in business, and forsake ever knowing what God’s will is for us, we will be greatly disappointed on the day when we would face God who will use His Son, Jesus Christ, to judge our works. If we never trusted in Christ, for our salvation, never become truly born again, then all of these earthly pursuits will never have no merit for your eternal soul.
Fear God—Solomon’s final word on the issues raised in the 12 chapters of this book, Ecclesiastes; as well as life itself, focus on one’s relationship to God. All of the concern for life under the sun, with its pleasures and uncertainties, was behind Solomon by now. Such things that seemed so important to him, were now comparatively irrelevant to him as he faced the end of his life. But death, in spite of all the focused attention he had given to it in Ecclesiastes, was not the greatest equalizer. No he found out that it was God’s judgment/retribution is the real equalizer. As God will bring every person who has ever lived acts to judgment. Unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne judgment: Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Why did this happen? Because their thoughts (Luke 8:17), words (Matthew 12:37), and actions (Matthew 16:27) will be compared to God’s perfect, holy standard (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16) and will be found wanting (Romans 3:23).
Beloved friend, If you have given your life over to Christ, then you and I will one day stand before Christ too. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). That “Day,” refers to the time of the Judgment seat of Christ. And only what has been accomplished in this life through His Spirit’s power working in the lives of believers, and all that was done for His glory will survive and be rewarded. So I to have ask you, “What is your passion?” What are you pursuing with all of your heart? If it is to glorify Christ, then you will find fulfillment, contentment and peace in your pursuits. But if it is only for what you think is going to bring you much pleasure and fulfillment, you will be very disappointed at the end of your life, when the insignificance of what you at one time found to be more important to you, than learning if God is at the head of it. It seems to me that Solomon was given “Carte Blanch,” by God Himself (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), but it was given so that we who are here today, could learn from what he learned, and that is a life in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment without God, can never bring what every person needs, that is the knowledge that in the end, it will all be brought before a holy God, who will bring it to judgment. Don’t you want to be pursuing after what glorifies Him when He comes back for us? He will come at an hour when we least expect it, according to His Word, yet, wouldn’t it be more helpful if we believed it could be today?
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
