Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man. (updated)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man. (updated)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV) Now all has been heard; here is the
conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is
the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (CWR) After all is said and done, there is
only one thing that really matters: Reverence your heavenly Father
and do what He says. That's the only thing that has meaning and
lasts. So love God and keep His commandments. He loves you and has
told you all you need to know.
CONTEXT
The Conclusion of the Matter: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.
The book of Ecclesiastes cannot be interpreted correctly without
reading these final verses. No matter what the mysteries and apparent
contradictions of life are, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing
God. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION with Emphasis on v. 13.
Solomon was a man who had it all--power, success, wisdom, and
wealth. Yet in the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, the "Teacher,"
candidly revealed how almost everything in his life was completely
meaningless to him. How could someone of his immense intellect and good
fortune say such a pessimistic thing? Simply because all that the world
had to offer came up short. In the end, his relationship with God
was the only thing that gave his life meaning.
He sums up his reasoning in the last two verses of the book:
"Fear God and obey his commands." The word fear in this sense means to
"have a reverential awe of, to respect." If anyone deserves our
reverence, it is God. God is awesome and holy. God is righteous and
all-powerful. God is our final Judge and Redeemer.
Your time on earth is short. Solomon has already learned the
tough lesson for you. Rather than spending time seeking worldly things
that give no meaning, focus your attention on God's Word and learn
how to apply it to your life. This is your duty--and joy--as a new
Christian. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Ecc. 12:8-14]
Fear God. Loving reverence is the foundation of wisdom (see Ps
111:10; Pr 1:7 and notes), as well as its content (Job 28:28) and its
goal and conclusion. [NIV SB 2008]
From Genesis to Revelation, God instructs and urges His people
to obey His commands and to fear His great Name. Yet we are to do
so with joy in our souls and love in our hearts. (see 1 Cor.
16:22). [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Ecc. 12:13]
The whole duty of man is summed up by the Saviour. He says,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind. . . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself." FE186,7
The commandments of God are comprehensive and far reaching; in a
few words they unfold the whole duty of man. "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind, and with all thy strength. . . . Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself". 1SM320,1
We are under solemn, sacred covenant to God to bring up our
children for Him and not for the world; to teach them not to put their
hands into the hand of the world, but to love and fear God, and to
keep His commandments. They should be impressed with the thought that
they are formed in the image of their Creator and that Christ is the
pattern after which they are to be fashioned. Most earnest attention
must be given to the education which will impart a knowledge of
salvation, and will conform the life and character to the divine
similitude. 6T127
Every day I have the honor of sitting down with a book that
contains the words of the One who created me. Every day I have the
opportunity to let him give me a thought or two on how to live. If I don't
do what he says, he doesn't burn the book or cancel my
subscription. If I disagree with what he says, lightning doesn't split my
swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my name off the holy list. If I
don't understand what he says, he doesn't call me a dummy. In fact, he
calls me "Son," and on a different page explains what I don't
understand. In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado [Inspirational SB]
Here are some God-given, time-tested truths that define the way
you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure
passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality...
* Love God more than you fear hell.
* Make major decisions in a cemetery.
* When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
* Succeed at home first.
* Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
* Pray twice as much as you fret.
* God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same. [Grace For
The Moment SB By Max Lucado re Ecc. 12:13]
LINK TO MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/2702
