Bible Verse Synopsis 6-28-25

Ecclesiastes 12

Verse 1 says: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not nor the years draw nigh, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them.” Solomon begins this chapter talking about our time as youths. It is easy to disregard the Lord when we are young and the sun shines on us brightly. Our bodies recover fast and we seem invincible, from a health perspective. This will not last. Verses 2-4 tell us that the body will fail us. We will lose the light of recovery and strength in ourselves. We will see more darkened clouds, not be able to discern melodies, fail to walk, and lose our strength. Verse 6 gives an example of what happens to the body: “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.” All of these broken items metaphorically represent our bodies. Broken over time in the places where they were once strong. Verse 7 tells us the end. “Then shall the spirit return to the Earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.” Our bodies are destined to fall and return to the dust. Our spirit will live on. But where will our spirit go? Verse 5 tells us that if we forgo the Lord in our youth, “they will be afraid of that which is high”. Are you destined to have fear of the Lord in regard to our spirit’s destination? Or do you have trust in Him based on your love for Him and His love for you when our bodies fail us?

Solomon reminds us to heed the words of the wise in verses 8-12. He refers to himself, or any Godly actor, as the Preacher. “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.” Solomon compares the words of the wise, as to the nails that hold everything together. Yet these words must be from the shepherd that guides all of us, the Lord. These words span the entire Bible and are for us to consume with regularity. As we seek the knowledge of man to gain our earthly intelligence, more study than that should be given to the Word. Do you give the Word the study it deserves? What wise words from the Bible do you remember?

Solomon ends this book with 2 very strong statements. Verse 13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Verse 14: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” These are clear instructions. We have a duty to fulfill. Through Christ we have the New Covenant and with that promise we are saved, if we believe and walk in his ways. Use the Word to guide your journey here on earth. Fear God and honor Him. Knowing that we will be judged. There are no things God does not see. If nothing else from this book we retain, know this: the Lord calls us to surrender to Him and know that He is almighty. Give Him your joys and concerns. Take Him to every task and along every step of the path. Are you prepared to make the walk with the Lord?