Read Ecclesiastes 12:1–7
Questions from the Scripture text: Whom are we to remember (Ecclesiastes 12:1a)? When (verse 1a–c)? Otherwise, what will happen (verse 1d)? What will eventually be darkened for us (Ecclesiastes 12:2a–c)? What will not return (verse 2d)? What will tremble (Ecclesiastes 12:3a)? And what bow down (verse 3b)? What will cease (verse 3c)? Why? What will grow dim (verse 3d)? What will be shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4a)? What will be low (verse 4b)? What will cause one to rise (verse 4c)? What else will be brought low (verse 4d)? Of what will they fear (Ecclesiastes 12:5a–b)? What will blossom (verse 5c)? What will be a burden (verse 5d)? What will fail (verse 5e)? Where will man go (verse 5f)? Who will go about the streets (verse 5g)? What will be loosed (Ecclesiastes 12:6a)? What will be broken (verse 6b)? What will be shattered where (verse 6c)? And what broken where (verse 6d)? What will return to the earth (Ecclesiastes 12:7a)? To where will the spirit return (verse 7b)?
What must we do, since our abilities and capacities are destined to fail? Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must live unto our Creator, right now.
Remember your Creator: act decisively in response to Who He is to you, and what He has done for you. He has made you, and you must serve Him with your abilities and capacities, while you still have them. Toward the sunset of life, the darkness begins creeping in (Ecclesiastes 12:2). The shaking of arms and hands begins (Ecclesiastes 12:3a), and the legs and back fail and bend (verse 3b). The teeth break down, so that chewing is difficult (verse 3c), and eyesight begins to fail (verse 3d). The lips fall in for lack of teeth (Ecclesiastes 12:4a), and only soft foods are eaten (verse 4b). The first little noise wakes you up (verse 4c), and the ability to make or enjoy music fades (verse 4d). Heights and journeys that would not have been challenging are now frightening (Ecclesiastes 12:5a–b), the hair turns white (verse 5c), and walking looks like the syncopated dragging of a grasshopper (verse 5d).
Ecclesiastes 12:5f–g sum up what is happening: the man is going to his eternal home, his body resting in the grave (Ecclesiastes 12:7a), and his spirit returning to the Lord (verse 7b, cf. Ecclesiastes 3:21). So, silvery spinal fluid ceases to flow (Ecclesiastes 12:6a), the brain ceases to operate (verse 6b), as does the pumping spring of the heart (verse 6c), and the water wheel of the circulatory system (verse 6d).
With what capacities/abilities do you need to be enjoying the Lord more? Serving the Lord more?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have wasted so much of our lives, as if we would have our abilities and capacities forever. We have not remembered You in the days of our youth. By failing to take our pleasure in You, we have set us up for days when we will have no pleasure at all. So, forgive us, and grant that we would rejoice in You and serve You, now and forever, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH116A “I Love the LORD, for He Has Heard My Voice”
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