Trust and Obey God
Comments for Study 9

Memory Verse: 4

Questions

Outline

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I. Remember Your Creator While Young (11:7-10)

* The engraving is from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712). It is now in public domain. The titled is "The Youth: He Who Half-Way Turns Back Does Not Go Astray". A youth hurries past a couple while waving his hat at them. In the background are a two-horse carriage, a horse with a rider and various people. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) who adapted this image from one used in an earlier work. The attendant scripture text is Ecclesiastes 12:1. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "Well to him who avoids evil, In time."
The accompanying poem is:

Stand still, stand still, restrain thy foot,
Having already walked that path far enough,
What thou must yet return,
If one wishes to hope for something good.
Which path? The path of enchantment,
Strewn with roses and violets,
That Trap of woeful temptation,
That Court of erring and wandering.
While ruin arranges its arrows,
And hidden under the laughing and swarming,
Takes aim at thy heart,
So that thou mightest feel the blow.
They fell to the left, they fell to the right,
Those who before thee started on this path.
Their beauty turned into something bad,
Away flew their wished-for things,
Thus be warned where thou goest,
And let not thine ears ring,
To the neglect of good advice,
Like thy vain companions.
Step out, step out, and withdraw thy youth,
From the path of a wretched end,
And walk on the trail of virtue,
To which all wise men turn.
Thou art, it's true, a fresh blossom,
And dost rest in the bloom of thy life,
But in the evening the wind takes thy glory,
Who knows where thou art stuck!
It is vanity, it is nothing,
Illusion deceives thine eyes,
Bait invites thee into the trap,
To deceive thee miserably.
Now a fair chance still invites thee,
Now there is still time to win the prize,
Gain a beautiful garland for thy head,
Now is the hour of beginning.
Who is meant to have a great treasure,
Who leads the journey, merely for the gleaning,
And postpones the vigilant approach,
With those, who trifle away their chance?
O Young one and healthy youth,
Direct thy senses to calm down,
And choose Virtue as thy companion,
With that thou wilt thrive eternally.
O Virtue, that so enriches life,
That all things of high value,
Retreat before thy greater value,
How wise are they who labor with thee.

>1. In this world are we promised all good years, even after repenting and living by faith? (7-8; Luke 8:14-15)

* Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless."

* Luke 8:14-15 "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

* John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

* "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun."

* "However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all."

* "But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many."

* "Everything to come is meaningless."

>How does this explain the life of faith? (Psalm 23:4)

* Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

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>2. What advice is given the young in verses 9 and 10?

* Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."

* "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth."

* "Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment."

* "So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."

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>What is a good course for the young? (1 Peter 5:5-11; Titus 2:4)

* 1 Peter 5:5-11 "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

* Titus 2:6-8 "Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

* Titus 2:4 "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,"

* The general theme of these verses expands on the general theme of the book. Enjoy the light of good times; be happy and banish anxiety from your heart in them with a genuine pure focus for many dark times will come which you will have to deal with. Yet always remember that everything you do in the light and in the darkness God will bring you to judgment (9). After all is over and you stand before him on judgment day you will confess that many decisions if not all are meaningless.

A few things cannot be missed in these verses. First, I have a choice. I will be held accountable therefore it is I who decides.

Second, I can decide to be happy and enjoy life. It is possible to cast off the troubles of the body.

Third, I can decide to sow the seed and the morning and not to let my hands be idle in the evening.

Fourth, both good times and bad times come; more so bad than good. This I have no control over. I am subject to the many decisions of others and happen chance.

Fifth, I am always to keep in the forefront of my mind that God will bring me to judgment. The decision I made has consequences in this life and the next.

Sixth, following the ways of the heart and whatever I see, is a risky way to live. An undisciplined heart can lead to the cause of bad times, not good. The brain must also be followed.

II. Before the Days of Trouble Come (12:1-8)

* The engraving is from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712). It is now in public domain. The titled is "The Preacher: Who would like to see eternal welfare, Should preach to himself all day long". The attendant scripture text is Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. In a baroque style church with a large chandelier, the minister preaches from the pulpit to the assembled congregation. Some members sit with their backs to the pulpit; one man reads his bible and one woman is praying. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) who adapted this image from one used in an earlier work. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "Who likes to see eternal welfare, Should preach to himself all day long."
The accompanying poem is:

>3. Why should the young remember their Creator? (1)

* Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

* "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,"

* "before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say"

* "I find no pleasure in them"

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>How will this help them life a righteous life? (Hebrews 12:2-7)

* Hebrews 12:2-7 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"

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>4. How is old age described in verses 2 thru 5?

* Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 "before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets."

* "before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain"

* "when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop"

* "when the grinders cease because they are few"

* "those looking through the windows grow dim"

* "when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades"

* "when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint"

* "when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets"

* "when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred."

* "Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets."

>What becomes apparent as we get older?

* For most as the body slowly decays no matter how hard we work at it and no matter what we do to slow down physical aging eventually we realize that the bodies self-healing mechanisims no long work as effeciantly and quickly as only a few year earlier. Our mind maybe sound and believe that the body is ten or even twenty years younger, but the body eventually convinces our minds that it is not what it use to be and not what our minds tells us it is.

>Why is it wise to serve the Lord starting at a young age?

* Entering in the twilight years of the third half of a long life can bring regreats. I have meet and known quit a few elderly who are bitter and full of resentments. Making good, wise, and righteous decisions in youth can eleminate regrets in elder years. Still, for those who are now elderly and lived their lives in youthful fancy-fool lives at the expense of themselves and the ones they loved, it is wise to lay your past at the foot of the cross, humbly asking for mercy and grace.

* The sentimental poem in verses 1 thru 8 is one of the most moving and yet underquoted compositions in the Bible. Read it silently once, speak it out twice, listen to it three times, and the Fourth brings it home.

A quiet Saturday morning is an atmosphere of the sound of "Truth" by Alexis Ffrench, fragrant candle and coffee, blueberry and butter whole wheat sugar-free toast, and the Spirit flowing from these verses.

Jesus' words come to mind from the Fourth, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:4,5)

The Fourth brought Paul's poem from a reference Bible in front of me, "What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

>5. Is it ever to late to turn to the Lord in repentance? (6)

* Ecclesiastes 12:6 "Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,"

* "Remember him"

* "before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken"

* "before the pitcher is shattered at the spring"<

* "or the wheel broken at the well"

>6. How is our life defined in verse 7?

* Ecclesiastes 12:7 "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

* "and the dust returns to the ground it came from"

* "the spirit returns to God who gave it."

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>Who gives life? (John 1:1-4, 14)

* John 1:1-4 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men."

* John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

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>When will all return to God? (Revelation 20:11-15)

* Revelation 20:11-15 "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

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III. Conclusion of the Matter (12:9-14)

* See a drawing found in the Latin Bible now called "Vulgate" (1702); the Latin title, "Biblia sacra vulgatae, editionis Sixti v. pont. max. iussu recognita, et Clementis VIII". Solomon is depicted as the author of Proverbs. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>7. Who wrote this book? (9-10)

* Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 "Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true."

* "Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people."

* "He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs."

* "The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true."

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>What did Jesus have to say about him and his teaching? (Luke 11:31)

* Luke 11:31 "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here."

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* The engraving is from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712). It is now in public domain. The titled is "The Hammer: Everything Has Its Requirement". The attendant scripture text is Ecclesiastes 12:11. A man demonstrates to two visitors how he will use a hammer to hit a nail into the wall; a basket full of nails is located on a nearby table. A city scene can be viewed through the open doors. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem, as well as for the poem that accompanies it (below). Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "If hitting does not make it happen,With pushing it would not succeed at all. "
The accompanying poem is:

>8. Where did Solomon get these words? (11)

* Ecclesiastes 12:11 "The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd."

* "The words of the wise are like goads"

* "their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails"

* "given by one Shepherd."

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>Who is the one Shepherd? (John 10:14-15)

* John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep."

* John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

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>9. Is it possible to study to much? (12)

* Ecclesiastes 12:12 "Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body."

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>How is the ministry of the Holy Spirit a blessing?

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>10. What is the conclusion of this book?

* Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "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. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

* "Fear God and keep his commandments"

* "for this is the whole [duty] of man."

* "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

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