12 But, my child,[c] let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14
"Despite his great sin-or perhaps because of it-Solomon may ultimately have gained the most valuable wisdom of all: a full appreciation of the emptiness of all that he had-even his own wisdom-when compared to things eternal."
(footnote The Daily Bible)
It is believed that Ecclesiastes, meaning the Preacher or the Teacher, was either written personally by King Solomon or sometime later about King Solomon.
Towards the end, it is noted that "none of the things in which man normally puts his trust for happiness and fulfillment can really achieve happiness. In the final analysis, such things as wealth, power, pleasure, popularity, and human wisdom are all sheer vanity-meaningless and empty." (footnote--The Daily Bible)
After several chapters of observations and insight from the teacher's experiences regarding life, death, love, work, knowledge, etc., we end up at verses 12-14 of Chapter 12 above. In the end, in spite of his great wisdom, the author concludes that too much studying can wear you out. There will always be books and more books. There will always be more to learn. It is a wonderful thing to seek to understand things in this life as well as to understand God's ways. We should always strive to better ourselves. Yet, regardless of how much knowledge we can obtain, it all comes down to verses 13 & 14. If you have much knowledge or a little, if you are rich or poor, God will judge us for everything in the end. He will judge us for everything we have done, all the secret things that nobody else knows, all of it. When all is complete, the greatest thing we could have done in our lifetime is to fear and obey God. In other words, above all, seek to have great reverence for the Lord and follow His commandments. If we can do that, the rest will fall into place according to His will.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14
"Despite his great sin-or perhaps because of it-Solomon may ultimately have gained the most valuable wisdom of all: a full appreciation of the emptiness of all that he had-even his own wisdom-when compared to things eternal."
(footnote The Daily Bible)
It is believed that Ecclesiastes, meaning the Preacher or the Teacher, was either written personally by King Solomon or sometime later about King Solomon.
Towards the end, it is noted that "none of the things in which man normally puts his trust for happiness and fulfillment can really achieve happiness. In the final analysis, such things as wealth, power, pleasure, popularity, and human wisdom are all sheer vanity-meaningless and empty." (footnote--The Daily Bible)
After several chapters of observations and insight from the teacher's experiences regarding life, death, love, work, knowledge, etc., we end up at verses 12-14 of Chapter 12 above. In the end, in spite of his great wisdom, the author concludes that too much studying can wear you out. There will always be books and more books. There will always be more to learn. It is a wonderful thing to seek to understand things in this life as well as to understand God's ways. We should always strive to better ourselves. Yet, regardless of how much knowledge we can obtain, it all comes down to verses 13 & 14. If you have much knowledge or a little, if you are rich or poor, God will judge us for everything in the end. He will judge us for everything we have done, all the secret things that nobody else knows, all of it. When all is complete, the greatest thing we could have done in our lifetime is to fear and obey God. In other words, above all, seek to have great reverence for the Lord and follow His commandments. If we can do that, the rest will fall into place according to His will.
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