In my introduction to Ecclesiastes (see Post # 489), I wrote concerning the authorship of this fascinating book:
“Now just to make things more interesting, some commentators consider that there are probably two people (not including Solomon) involved in the writing of this book. The first person introduces Qoheleth’s words (1:1-11) and then summarizes them at the end of the book (12:9-14). Then in-between are the actual words of Qoheleth (1:12 – 12:8).”
So, now we get to the summary mentioned above in 12:9-14 which reads:
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
So this wise teacher, after much research and pondering, finally comes to a conclusion and his conclusion is upright and true.
The Message paraphrases verses 11-12 as follows:
The words of the wise prod us to live well.
They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together.
They are given by God, the one Shepherd.
But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else.
And then, after 11 chapters of his research and pondering the conclusion comes:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
C Wright comments on this:
In life,” There is so much that shocks and disturbs us, both in what we observe in the wider world and in what may well impact our own personal experience. But in the end, we are called back to the foundations of our faith. And that is the same as the foundation of all the Bible’s wisdom: the fear of God and obedience to his commands (v. 13). This is not only an echo of Proverbs, it is a condensed statement of the theology of Deuteronomy, universalized to “all mankind.” Indeed, the final line of verse 13 is remarkable in scope and potential significance. The words “the duty of ” (NIV) are added to help make some sense of the Hebrew, which is simply, “for this [meaning “to fear God and keep his commandments”] is the whole human (’adam).” If Qoheleth’s long search could be construed as an attempt to find out what it really means to be human, then here is his final, four-word answer. This is what being “man” is all about. It is not just a matter of our “duty” but our very identity. The essence of human life is to be found in that relationship with God that has all the relational, ethical, covenantal, personal, and emotional richness that the rest of Scripture attributes to “the fear of God.” So yes, we have permission to think, to question, wrestle, argue, ponder, complain. That is one of the great gifts of the wisdom literature, along with the psalms of lament. God allows the challenging question, the agonized protest, the genuine bafflement. God gives even a Qoheleth a place in his inspired word! God has a big enough chest for us to beat on and a big enough shoulder for us to cry on. However, the wisdom tradition stands alongside the psalmists and the prophets in insisting that when we do raise our voices in that way, we do not at the same time raise our fists in defiance, unbelief, and disobedience. No, we embrace our questions and our unknowns with the arms of faith in the living God. We “fear” and we “keep,” for that is our human identity, responsibility, and privilege since our creation.” (# 60)
Let me conclude then our study of Ecclesiastes with the encouraging words of Paul concerning our true identity in a right relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 … 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)
So, having completed Ecclesiastes, what’s next? Watch this space!
