Ecclesiastes 12 Study Notes: Remember the Creator and Fear God
The Teacher calls the young to remember their Creator before old age, pictured in a poem of fading strength that ends in death. The book closes by praising his wise sayings and concluding that people should fear God and obey Him, because He will judge every deed.
General
In 12:11, what images describe the sayings of wise teachers?
Answer: Goads and fixed nails from one Shepherd
After repeating the cry that everything is futile (12:8), the book describes the Teacher as a wise man who taught knowledge to the people, weighing, studying and arranging many proverbs, and seeking pleasing words and writing true ones accurately (12:9-10). The sayings of wise people work like goads, the sharp sticks used to prod oxen forward, and the masters’ gathered collections are like nails fixed firmly in place by one Shepherd (12:11). Such sayings spur people on and stay fixed in the mind. Many take the one Shepherd to be God Himself as their final source, since Scripture calls God the Shepherd of His people (Psalm 80:1). Proverbs says that each word from God is without flaw (Proverbs 30:5), and Paul says all Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for teaching and correction (2 Timothy 3:16).
- Ecclesiastes 12:8 (BSB)““Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!””The Teacher’s cry from the book’s opening is repeated.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (BSB)“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.”The Teacher’s careful work and the images of goads and nails from one Shepherd.
- Psalm 80:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth”The psalmist addresses God as the Shepherd of Israel.
- Proverbs 30:5 (BSB)“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”Proverbs affirms that God’s words are flawless.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (BSB)“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”Paul says all Scripture comes from God and is useful for instruction.
Theological
With what images does 12:11 describe the sayings of the wise and their source?
Answer: Goads and fixed nails from one Shepherd
Following the repeated cry that all is futile (12:8), the book describes the Teacher as a wise man who taught knowledge to the people, weighing, studying and arranging many proverbs, seeking pleasing words and writing true ones accurately (12:9-10). The sayings of wise people are likened to goads, the sharp prods that drive oxen forward, and the masters’ gathered collections to nails fixed firmly in place by one Shepherd (12:11): they spur to action and remain fixed. Many take the one Shepherd to be God as their ultimate source, since Scripture names God the Shepherd of His people (Psalm 80:1). Proverbs affirms that each word from God is without flaw (Proverbs 30:5), and Paul that all Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for teaching and correction (2 Timothy 3:16).
- Ecclesiastes 12:8 (BSB)““Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!””The Teacher’s cry from the book’s opening is repeated.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9-11 (BSB)“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.”The Teacher’s careful work and the images of goads and nails from one Shepherd.
- Psalm 80:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth”The psalmist addresses God as the Shepherd of Israel.
- Proverbs 30:5 (BSB)“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”Proverbs affirms that God’s words are flawless.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (BSB)“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”Paul says all Scripture comes from God and is useful for instruction.
General
True or False: In 12:12 the son is warned that the writing of books has no end and that much study wears out the body.
Answer: True
This is true. Having described the sayings of the wise, the book tells the son to be further warned by these: books can be written without end, and much study wears a person out (12:12). The warning comes right after the praise of the wise sayings fixed in place by one Shepherd (12:11). Earlier the Teacher said that more wisdom brings more sorrow (1:18) and that the eye is never content with what it sees (1:8).
- Ecclesiastes 12:12 (BSB)“And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.”The son is warned about endless books and wearying study.
- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (BSB)“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.”The Teacher found that much wisdom brings sorrow.
- Ecclesiastes 1:8 (BSB)“All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.”The Teacher observed that the eye and ear are never satisfied.
Theological
True or False: The warning to the son in 12:12 is that the production of books is endless and much study is wearying to the body.
Answer: True
This is true. After the description of the sayings of the wise, the son is told to be further warned by these: the making of books has no limit, and much study exhausts the body (12:12). The warning follows directly on the praise of the sayings of the wise, fixed in place by one Shepherd (12:11). The Teacher had already found that increased wisdom brings increased sorrow (1:18) and that the eye is never content with what it sees (1:8).
- Ecclesiastes 12:12 (BSB)“And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.”The son is warned about endless books and wearying study.
- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (BSB)“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.”The Teacher found that much wisdom brings sorrow.
- Ecclesiastes 1:8 (BSB)“All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.”The Teacher observed that the eye and ear are never satisfied.
General
What does the Teacher urge the young to do before hardship and old age arrive (12:1)?
Answer: Remember their Creator while they are young
The Teacher calls on the young to remember their Creator in their youth, before hard days come and a time arrives when they will say they take no delight in them (12:1). To remember God here means more than recalling that He exists; it means living in light of Him, honoring and obeying the One who made them. Youth is the time to do so, before strength fades. The psalmist says God has taught him since he was young (Psalm 71:17), Lamentations commends carrying a yoke in one’s youth (Lamentations 3:27), and Paul reminds Timothy that from infancy he had known the Scriptures that lead to salvation by trusting in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).
- Ecclesiastes 12:1 (BSB)“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,””The Teacher calls the young to remember their Creator before the hard years come.
- Psalm 71:17 (BSB)“O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.”The psalmist rejoices that God taught him from his youth.
- Lamentations 3:27 (BSB)“It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.”Lamentations commends learning to bear the yoke while young.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 (BSB)“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”Timothy knew the Scriptures from childhood, and they lead to salvation through faith in Christ.
Theological
What charge does 12:1 give to the young before the hard years arrive?
Answer: Remember their Creator while they are young
The young are charged to remember their Creator in their youth, before the evil days arrive and the time in which they will say they find no delight (12:1). Remembering God in this sense is not mere recollection but a life ordered by reverence and obedience toward the One who made them, and youth is the time to begin, before strength wanes. The psalmist testifies that God has taught him since he was young (Psalm 71:17); Lamentations commends carrying a yoke in one’s youth (Lamentations 3:27); and Paul reminds Timothy that from infancy he had known the Scriptures that lead to salvation by trusting in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).
- Ecclesiastes 12:1 (BSB)“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,””The Teacher calls the young to remember their Creator before the hard years come.
- Psalm 71:17 (BSB)“O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.”The psalmist rejoices that God taught him from his youth.
- Lamentations 3:27 (BSB)“It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.”Lamentations commends learning to bear the yoke while young.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 (BSB)“From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”Timothy knew the Scriptures from childhood, and they lead to salvation through faith in Christ.
General
What does the series of images in 12:2-7, such as darkening lights, failing household workers, and a fading mill, picture?
Answer: The weakening of old age leading up to death
The poem continues the call to remember the Creator before old age arrives. It describes a time when sun, moon and starlight dim and the clouds come back once the rain has passed, when the household’s keepers shake and strong men bend, the grinders stop since only a few remain, those at the windows see only faintly, doors are closed, and the noise of grinding dies down (12:2-4). People wake at a bird’s call, fear high places and peril on the way, the almond tree blooms, the grasshopper can no longer leap, the caper berry withers, as a person departs to his everlasting home while mourners go about the streets (12:4-5). Many readers take these images as pictures of an aging body, while others see a household or an estate in decline; either way, the poem pictures the weakening that leads to death. The final images of a snapped silver cord, a crushed golden bowl, and a broken pitcher and wheel picture life itself coming to an end (12:6). Moses says our years pass quickly (Psalm 90:10) and asks God to teach His people to count their days (Psalm 90:12), and God promises to carry His people even to their old age (Isaiah 46:4).
- Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 (BSB)“before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly, when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint, when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.”The poem’s images portray the approach of old age and death.
- Ecclesiastes 12:6 (BSB)“Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,”Images of breaking and shattering picture the end of life.
- Psalm 90:10 (BSB)“The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”Moses describes how quickly the years of human life pass.
- Psalm 90:12 (BSB)“So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.”Moses asks God to teach His people to reckon with the shortness of life.
- Isaiah 46:4 (BSB)“Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”God promises to sustain His people into old age.
Theological
What do the images of 12:2-7, from the darkened lights to the broken wheel at the well, depict?
Answer: The weakening of old age leading up to death
The poem extends the summons to remember the Creator before old age. Its images follow one another: sun, moon and starlight dim and the clouds come back once the rain has passed; the household’s keepers shake, strong men bend, the grinders cease since only a few remain, watchers at the windows see faintly, doors close, and the noise of grinding dies down (12:2-4); people wake at a bird’s call, fear high places and peril on the way, the almond tree blooms, the grasshopper can no longer leap, the caper berry withers, as a person departs to his everlasting home while mourners go about the streets (12:4-5). Many readers take these as images of an aging body, while others see a household or estate in decline; on either reading the poem portrays the decline that ends in death. The snapped silver cord, crushed golden bowl, and broken pitcher and wheel then picture life’s end (12:6). Moses laments how swiftly our years pass (Psalm 90:10) and prays that God would teach His people to count their days (Psalm 90:12), while God pledges to carry His people even to their old age (Isaiah 46:4).
- Ecclesiastes 12:2-5 (BSB)“before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly, when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint, when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.”The poem’s images portray the approach of old age and death.
- Ecclesiastes 12:6 (BSB)“Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well,”Images of breaking and shattering picture the end of life.
- Psalm 90:10 (BSB)“The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”Moses describes how quickly the years of human life pass.
- Psalm 90:12 (BSB)“So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.”Moses asks God to teach His people to reckon with the shortness of life.
- Isaiah 46:4 (BSB)“Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”God promises to sustain His people into old age.
General
True or False: According to 12:7, at death the dust goes back to the ground and the spirit goes back to God, its Giver.
Answer: True
This is true. The Teacher’s final image of death is the dust going back to the ground it came from and the spirit going back to God, its Giver (12:7). This echoes creation, when the LORD shaped man out of dust and breathed life into him (Genesis 2:7), and the word spoken after the fall that man would go back to dust (Genesis 3:19). Earlier the Teacher had asked who knows whether a man’s spirit goes up (3:21); here he says the spirit goes back to God. Jesus committed His spirit into the Father’s hands as He died (Luke 23:46), and Stephen asked the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit as he was dying (Acts 7:59).
- Ecclesiastes 12:7 (BSB)“before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”The poem closes with the dust returning to the ground and the spirit to God.
- Genesis 2:7 (BSB)“Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”God formed man from dust and gave him the breath of life.
- Genesis 3:19 (BSB)“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.””After the fall God said that man would return to dust.
- Luke 23:46 (BSB)“Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.”Jesus committed His spirit to the Father as He died.
- Acts 7:59 (BSB)“While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.””Stephen entrusted his spirit to the Lord Jesus at his death.
Theological
True or False: In 12:7 the Teacher pictures death as the dust going back to the earth and the spirit going back to its divine Giver.
Answer: True
This is true. Death is pictured as the reversal of creation: the dust goes back to the earth it was taken from and the spirit goes back to God, its Giver (12:7). The language recalls the LORD shaping man out of dust and breathing life into him (Genesis 2:7) and the sentence after the fall that man would go back to dust (Genesis 3:19). Where the Teacher earlier asked who knows whether a man’s spirit goes up (3:21), here he affirms that the spirit goes back to God. Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father at His death (Luke 23:46), and Stephen, dying, asked the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit (Acts 7:59).
- Ecclesiastes 12:7 (BSB)“before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”The poem closes with the dust returning to the ground and the spirit to God.
- Genesis 2:7 (BSB)“Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”God formed man from dust and gave him the breath of life.
- Genesis 3:19 (BSB)“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.””After the fall God said that man would return to dust.
- Luke 23:46 (BSB)“Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.”Jesus committed His spirit to the Father as He died.
- Acts 7:59 (BSB)“While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.””Stephen entrusted his spirit to the Lord Jesus at his death.
General
What final conclusion does the book draw in 12:13-14?
Answer: Revere God and obey Him, for He will judge every deed
Once everything is heard, the book gives its conclusion: to fear God and obey what He commands is the whole of what a person owes Him (12:13). The reason follows: every deed will come under God’s judgment, even what is hidden, be it good or evil (12:14). After all the futility the Teacher has observed under the sun, the answer is reverent obedience to God, because life is lived before Him and He will judge it fully. Paul says that all must stand before Christ’s judgment seat to receive what is due for what each has done in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10), and that God will judge the secrets of people through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:16). Jesus warned that people must answer on judgment day even for careless words (Matthew 12:36).
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (BSB)“When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”The book concludes with the call to fear God and the certainty of His judgment.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB)“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.”Paul says all must appear before Christ’s judgment seat.
- Romans 2:16 (BSB)“on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.”Paul says God will judge even people’s secrets through Christ Jesus.
- Matthew 12:36 (BSB)“But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”Jesus says people will give account even for careless words.
Theological
How does the book sum up the whole matter in 12:13-14?
Answer: Revere God and obey Him, for He will judge every deed
Having heard everything, the book states its conclusion: to fear God and obey His commands is the entire duty owed by every person (12:13), because God will bring all conduct into judgment, hidden things included, be they good or evil (12:14). After the long survey of futility under the sun, the answer is reverent obedience, since all of life is lived before God and He will judge it completely. Paul says that all must stand before Christ’s judgment seat to receive what is due for what each has done in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10) and that God will judge the secrets of people through Christ Jesus (Romans 2:16); Jesus warned that people must answer on judgment day even for careless words (Matthew 12:36).
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (BSB)“When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”The book concludes with the call to fear God and the certainty of His judgment.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB)“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.”Paul says all must appear before Christ’s judgment seat.
- Romans 2:16 (BSB)“on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.”Paul says God will judge even people’s secrets through Christ Jesus.
- Matthew 12:36 (BSB)“But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”Jesus says people will give account even for careless words.