I had forgotten how depressing the final chapter of
Ecclesiastes is. He calls on us to remember our Creator in the days of our
youth. This is all well and good, but he
then goes into a melancholy dialogue about the end of our days. This is all
expressed in a very prosaic manner, but it is about the drawing near of death
nonetheless.
So what is he saying? Is it that he did not remember his
maker in the days of his youth and that he should have done? The truth is that
without God life is indeed meaningless. Moreover, without resurrection life is
meaningless.
The book close with sound advice. The Teacher also states
his intentions, which were to teach people wisdom and truth. The proverbs act
as firmly fixed nails, like grips hammered into a rock face. Life is confusing
at times, at times it seems dark and we cannot see the way ahead. In these
times the sayings of the wise act as a guide. It is only the word of the Lord
that is a reliable guide to life.
He closes with a declaration that we need to fear the Lord,
for He is the judge of all.
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