It’s an age-old question that was asked of Jesus directly: “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16b) We want to know how to prepare for “the end”, for the final reckoning of our life. It’s a very big question, which has surprisingly simple biblical answers. It’s probably a fact of human nature that we tend to believe that one big “success” will eradicate a thousand small indiscretions, but that’s not how God sees it.
Q: What does v.1 mean?
Q: Setting aside what might be confusing imagery in v.3-5 for the moment, what is the key phrase that puts this imagery into the proper context so we can interpret these verses correctly?
A: “..so you do not know the activity of God...” (v.5) The examples are things whose outcomes only God can predict or control.
Q: Using this key phrase, go back through v.3-5. How can we place the imagery in the proper context?
The main point of these illustrations is to state that investing our resources in other people is not a predictable science to begin with, but in reality is completely in the hands of God in spite of our desire to control the outcome. We are not called by God to serve others because we can see and know the results or benefits, but to be satisfied with the role God has given us, knowing that it is HE who provides the results.
Q: What might be a very “Old Testament” way of succinctly stating what is being asked of us here?
A: “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:9) We may not understand all of God’s ways, but we’re to minister to our fellow man not for what WE believe to be the return on our investment, but for what GOD will do with it.
Application: We may not understand all of God’s ways, but we’re to minister to our fellow man not for what we believe to be the return on our investment, but for what God will do with it.
Q: Will there always be an endless opportunity to preach the Gospel, to sow the seeds of God’s kingdom?
We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
―John 9:4
Q: What is the basic meaning of these verses in context with the preceding verses?
A: Although we may not be able to predict the results—and must trust God for the return on the investment—we must recognize our responsibility to work during every available opportunity while there is yet time to do so.
Application: We must recognize our responsibility to work during every available opportunity while there is yet time to do so.
Q: Again, within the context of the teaching to this point, what is the practical application of the meaning of v.9?
A: We may not understand all of God’s ways, but we will certainly be held accountable by Him for all of our own ways.
Q: To place v.10 in the proper context, what is the key difference between childhood, young manhood, and adulthood?
A: Maturity of mind and heart over the body. When young, the body can sometimes make up for shortcomings with enthusiasm and vigor, but over the long haul it is the discipline and conditioning of the mind and heart to recognize the need to overcome that wins throughout life overall and cause the body—one’s actions—to do the right thing.
Application: Our service to God through our commitment to others requires a mature, disciplined approach that trusts in Him to produce the right results for both His kingdom at large and for our life personally.
Use this life to love your neighbor at every opportunity. In so doing, you are not only participating in His kingdom’s work, but establishing yourself in God’s eyes both in this life and the one to come.
Application: Use this life to love your neighbor at every opportunity. In so doing, you are not only participating in His kingdom’s work, but establishing yourself in God’s eyes both in this life and the one to come.
Observation: This is most likely a very poetic depiction of old age, trying to convey the meaning that we can’t buy into the false belief that there is always time enough to change our ways or to cease from our own labors and do God’s. A lifetime of habits will overtake us. Another way of stating it is that we cannot wait until “the end” to PREPARE for “the end”—it must begin at the earliest point in our life possible and become a natural extension of our lifestyle. V.6 is particularly strong with this imagery, most likely likening the situation to a well that can no longer be used because the bucket, rope and mechanism for lowering and raising the bucket are all useless. The phrase “remember Him before” is intended as a warning to turn to His ways while there’s still time lest this fate be realized in one’s own life, having waited too long.
Application: We cannot wait until “the end” to prepare for “the end”—it must begin at the earliest point in our life possible and become a natural extension of our lifestyle.
Q: Is this stating that knowledge, higher education, and/or wisdom is a useless pursuit, even counterproductive?
A: Verses 11:1-12:8 have focused on our actions, behavior, and ways. The point here is that pursuit of knowledge—no matter to what depth—is no substitute for putting God’s ways into practice. You can be an expert on the physiology and workings of the human body, but it’s of no value if you’ve never trained for the marathon you’ve been entered in. The biblical definitions of “hear” and “listen” is to obey and put into practice.
Application: The pursuit of knowledge—no matter to what depth—is no substitute for putting God’s ways into practice. The biblical definitions of “hear” and “listen” is to obey and put into practice.
Here is the plain and simply stated application of the book of Ecclesiastes.
The Ultimate Conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments”.