The Giving Of Thanks

With Thanksgiving upon us, I thought it would be a good time to turn to the Psalms, the thanksgiving Psalms, and appreciate the Lord for who He is and what He has done for His people. The Psalms I’m focusing on today are Psalms 105 through 107, each of which carry a tone of praise and gratitude. They are celebratory Psalms, marveling at the person and work of Yahweh, the God of Israel and Creator of Heaven and earth.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Concluding The Matter

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. [14] For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Finally, the preacher leads us to his summary. The preacher, in his search for relevance and meaning, sought out many paths and always found disappointment at every turn. Worse, disappointment fomented bitter frustration, and despair. He earlier intimated that God once made man upright, but since that time mankind has sought out many schemes, Ecclesiastes 7:29. In an effort to discern their various merits, the preacher indulged them all.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, The Proper Use Of Words

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

Verse 11 gives us another clue as to the point the preacher was endeavoring to make. In verse 9 he reminded us of his wisdom, choosing to teach the people knowledge. In verse 11, he informs his readership that the words of the wise are like goads.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Delightful Words

Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order (alt. arranged) many proverbs. [10] The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright–words of truth.

The narrative makes a sudden and last minute shift beginning with verse 9. The preacher begins speaking in third person, rather than first person. This has led several commenters to conclude that the final portion of Ecclesiastes is an addendum. This is famously noted in Deuteronomy chapter 34.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Remembrance Before Death

Ecclesiastes 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. [7] Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. [8] “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”

The preacher’s parting words before an intimate and third person conclusion beginning in verse 9 build to sort of a crescendo. In verse 1 the readership is advised to remember God during youth, before the difficult days come. But many people will not live to experience old age for good or for bad. My family has known several people who passed away before seeing 20 years old within the last decade or so. Life does not come with a guarantee.