– Eccl. 12:13-14
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Last week we saw Solomon bring the body of the work to a conclusion with a final exhortation to love God during our youth before the days of difficulty come. This week, we turn to consider the overall conclusion to the book as a whole, found in 12:9-14. When we began our study, we made the observation that the book of Ecclesiastes has a clear prologue (1:1-11), body (1:12-12:8), and epilogue (12:9-14). In this final portion of the work, the Teacher offers to us his conclusion about what it means to live well in the world that God created.
The epilogue begins with a couple of summary statements about the author and his work. First, he sought to teach wisdom to others by arranging many proverbs (12:9). Second, in all his writings, he sought to convey the truth to others so that they might live wisely in the world (12:10). All of the teacher’s written advice and counsel (Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs) was given for the purpose of guiding people, but the teacher himself was not the ultimate source of this wisdom. While recognizing that these words of wisdom were like goads (to keep people on the right path) and firmly fixed nails (to provide security and stability), he also notes that they are given by one Shepherd (12:11). As the king, he had a role to play as the shepherd of God’s people, however, this language is in all likelihood a reference to God, the giver of all true wisdom. Mankind must receive wisdom from God first and foremost, because there will be no end to the various human attempts to convey wisdom and advice (12:12).
Reflecting upon all that he has considered, the Teacher concludes with a simple but clear statement about how mankind should respond to these things: “Fear God and keep His commandments” (12:13). This command to ‘fear’ God refers to reverencing Him, recognizing His power and authority. The command to ‘keep’ His commands, refers to the manner of life of the one who fears God. In all of life, this is the most significant thing that men and women, boys and girls can do. This is, in fact, the “whole duty of man.” This statement simply means that this is what we were created to do…it is our “chief end.” Mankind must recognize and properly respond to God’s authority in life, because we will be made to in death when we stand before Him in judgment. All of this should be kept in mind and meditated upon by all mankind throughout the days of their lives in order that they might properly live their lives in the world that God Himself has created and continues to sustain.
As we have worked our way through this book, we have reminded ourselves of both the truth of its message and the inadequacy of its messenger. While Solomon was the shepherd of Israel, he fell woefully short of God’s intention for the leader of His people. Only Messiah could properly shepherd the people of God (Ezek. 34:24) as the one who would not only teach God’s wisdom, but also embody it. The apostle Peter recognizes this role of the Lord Jesus for His people, referring to Him as “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4).
Although we must heed the message of the Teacher, it is Jesus who has truly come as the Shepherd of God’s people. Not only has He demonstrated to us what it means to live a perfect life of fearing God and keeping His commandments, but He has done so on our behalf. More than that, He has died in the place of all we who were deserving of the judgment of God. For the believer, to fear God and keep His commands begins with recognize Jesus as Savior and Lord and receiving the free gift of salvation!
Join us this Sunday as we come together around God’s Word so that we might be rooted and established as His people!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas