Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
WhatsApp
Copy
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
WhatsApp
Copy
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
WhatsApp
Copy
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
WhatsApp
Copy
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
WhatsApp
Copy
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.
WhatsApp
Copy
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
WhatsApp
Copy
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
WhatsApp
Copy
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
WhatsApp
Copy
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
WhatsApp
Copy
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
WhatsApp
Copy
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
WhatsApp
Copy
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
WhatsApp
Copy
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
WhatsApp
Copy
Ecclesiastes 12 Study & Commentary
The Epilogue. A masterful poetic allegory of the biological decay of old age (v. 1-7), leading to the final return of the spirit to God. The book concludes by defining the "Whole Duty of Man": to fear God and keep His commandments, for every work will face the final, perfect judgment of the Creator.
THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
1. The Anthropological Return: The "dust" returns to the earth, but the "spirit" returns to God (v. 7), affirming the dual nature of man.2. The Masters of Assemblies: Words of the wise are like "goads" and "nails" given by "One Shepherd" (v. 11), emphasizing the unity of Scripture.
3. The Ultimate Teleology: The fear of God is not just a command; it is the "Whole of Man" (v. 13)—the only thing that gives substance to the "Hebel" of life.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
1. Early Devotion: "Remember now thy Creator" before the "evil days" of physical decline arrive.2. Focus on the Finality: Living every moment in light of the "secret things" that God will judge (v. 14).
