Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: The Conclusion of Life

"And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with." Ecclesiastes 1:13

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

In the beginning of his book, Solomon tells us that he is attempting an experiment to find that which is meaningful and fulfilling in life (see verse 1:13, quoted above). In the end of the book, we find the conclusion of the entire experiment. Although many things in the world tell us that they will satisfy, they will ultimately fail us. True satisfaction, meaning, and worth can only be found in one's relationship with God.

Note that Solomon's words here encourage us to do two things: fear God and keep his commandments. Essentially, this is only one command, as we cannot do one without doing the other. However, let us define the first, as often the "fear of God" is something that is misunderstood in our culture. Matthew Henry provides this helpful definition: "Fear God, that is, worship God, give him the honor due his name, in all the instances of true devotion, inward and outward." To fear the Lord is to revere him, which will lead to obeying him.

Note here that true significance and meaning are not blotted out by death (which seems like it might be Solomon's conclusion based on the first eleven and a half chapters of the book), but rather true significance and meaning are found in the judgment of the Lord (see 12:14, quoted above). Rather than life being hopeless because it is all vanity and chaos, Solomon finds through his experiment that there is order, for there must be, yet it is not found in this world but in the judgment of Christ. Every deed will be uncovered, whether good or evil, and God will judge a man according to his deeds.*

So, are you fearing God or this world? For you can only do one. Do you find your worth in Christ or sinful pleasures? Fear and obey the Lord, for this is the full duty of man.

*Yes, believers will ultimately be judged according to Christ's deeds and not their own, and thus inherit salvation and not the wrath of God they deserve. However, even Christians will be judged and rewarded according to their actions on earth (Matt. 6:19-21).