The Conclusion of the Matter

Scripture Reading

Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 NIV84

9 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. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. 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. 13 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. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Introduction

We come this morning to the end of our study in the book of Ecclesiastes. For me, it has been an important study. It has not always been easy, as a preacher, to get to the bottom of what that great teacher, Solomon, has sought to convey. But through the study of this book, I’ve learned (or at the very least had reinforced) some critical and essential truths concerning our perspectives in life.

When we assess the world around us, and when we try to make sense of that which is taking place, and as we seek to live our lives in this world in wisdom and understanding, it is critical that we have the right perspective on things. Without the correct perspective and understanding of the world, we are led to a sense of hopelessness and despair. Alternatively, we so lie to ourselves about the world around us, that we ...

As we come now to the close of this book, we find these final sentences written for us as a concluding summary based on the teachings of this wise man Solomon. This final section of the book of Ecclesiastes is written in the third person. Someone who knew Solomon and his teaching, wrote this final section as a summary on who it was that wrote the letter, and also the main thrust of what his teaching was.

1. The Counselor (vv.9-10)

The first aspect that we notice from our text this morning is a word on the Counselor… the teacher, otherwise known in the book as Qoholet. As the scribe who penned these words thinks upon the man who had conveyed the teaching in this book, he makes a number of comments on the wisdom of this counselor. We will consider these under three broad headings.

1.1. The Extent of His Wisdom

In the first place, we are told about the extent of the Counselors wisdom. The first words in verse 9 are these:

The New International Version (1984) The Conclusion of the Matter

Not only was the Teacher wise

In one sense, this truth concerning the teacher goes without saying. Throughout the course of our study in Ecclesiastes, we have been told and reminded of the fact that Solomon had been endowed by God with great wisdom, greater than any other person than had ever lived.

But as we come to the close of this book, we are reminded again of something of the extent of this wisdom of the teacher, and how he went about obtaining that wisdom.

At the end of verse 9, we read that

The New International Version (1984) The Conclusion of the Matter

He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words,

We must appreciate the fact that Solomon did not suddenly obtain wisdom through some supernatural impartation of that wisdom by God. We know well by this time that Solomon asked God to give him wisdom to lead this great nation Israel. But we may be tempted to believe that this happened as an event, rather than a long and difficult process.

If you’ve followed along through the study of this book of Ecclesiastes, you will have realised that this wisdom was indeed obtained by a process. Solomon tested things; he explored all the activities in which men engage in under the sun; he went about seeking that which would bring him some measure of satisfaction; he engaged in every way he could think of in order to gain this wisdom.

What is sure is that God allowed his mind to gain this wisdom and understanding. It says in our passage that “he pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.” Many of those proverbs we have recorded for us in the book of Proverbs. The opening line of the book of Proverbs says:

Proverbs 1:1 NIV84

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

And so, by God’s grace and design, Solomon was a man who sought out wisdom, and gained that wisdom, and then set that wisdom out in the form of proverbs and other writings.

1.2. He Shared His Wisdom (v.9a)

This leads us then to the second aspect of this Counselor, and that is the fact that He shared his wisdom. Solomon was not a person who sought out wisdom merely for the sake of personal gain and fulfillment, and then kept all of that wisdom to himself.

Instead, he became this great teacher that would gather around him those who longed for learning, and he would teach them this wisdom. At the end of verse 9, it says that Solomon “imparted knowledge to the people.”

This is significant! In this verse, the emphasis is not so much that he was wise, but that not only was he wise, but he also imparted knowledge.

This is significant for us for two reasons.

1.2.1. The Benefit

Firstly, we must consider the benefit that there is to us. The benefit to us is that through the course of history, this teaching of one of the most wise people who has ever lived in the course of history is available to us in the written words of Scripture.

By God’s grace, Solomon was endowed with wisdom. And by God’s grace, that same wisdom that was a part of Solomon’s life has been handed down to us (along with the rest of Scripture of course!). But the point is simply that there is immense benefit to us to have the words of this wise, spirit-anointed teacher, so that we may access such riches of wisdom as contained in Scripture.

And again, this is not limited to merely the words of Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Solomon etc.

But the question is, have we come to appreciate the extent of that which has been made available to us? Have we come to appreciate that there is a treasure-trove filled with words of great and deep wisdom, beckoning us, pleading with us, urging us to delve into them and gain wisdom.

The call of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:1ff is clear...

Proverbs 8:1–5 NIV84

1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

The question to us again is this: are we delving into this wisdom.

As the people of God, we must ask ourselves if the gaining of this great wisdom is a deep burden and delight to our souls? Do we long for the very wisdom of God as has been given to us through the Scripture!? Oh that we would be people who long for, thirst for, and hunger for this true wisdom that comes from the very Creator God.

Solomon, and the rest of the authors of Scripture, did not merely have the wisdom from above through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but they shared that wisdom, they granted that wisdom, and we are the benefactors!

1.2.2. The Example

Secondly we must consider the example given to us through the Counselor. If Solomon in all his wisdom found it important to share that wisdom with others, then so should we! In all his investigations of the world around him, and in all his investigations as to his search for the meaning of life, he learnt lessons that are essential for any person. We will come in a moment to the summary lesson that was learnt, and that was taught. But for now, realise that the summary is that existence without proper relationship to our Holy God and the Lord Jesus Christ is vanity!

We live in a world that is crying out for wisdom - without them even knowing it. The cry is a silent one, that is seen through the actions of people as they engage in any number of meaningless pursuits, hoping to find some measure of meaning in life!

Proverbs 29:18 NIV84

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

The word “revelation” there means prophetic revelation - the revelation by God through the Scriptures. The parallelism there relates this revelation with the law. “but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Where the world around us doesn’t have the revelation of our Holy God, the revelation of Scripture, they cast off restraint. The world descends into an abyss of sinful conduct and godless activity.

Dear friends, what a great need there is for the teaching of the wisdom that is gained through the Word. If any of us have a knowledge of God through the Scriptures, we urgently need to teach that wisdom to others. We will not all be on the same level of wisdom, or at the same place in our journey of growing in wisdom, but when we know the true and living God by His grace through the Scripture, we must become teachers of that wisdom in every way we can.

Let me remind you of our guiding verse, Colossians 1:28...

Colossians 1:28 NIV84

28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

1.3. The Trustworthiness of his Wisdom

Finally in this section, notice that the wisdom that Solomon conveyed was trustworthy. At the end of verse 10, we read that “what he wrote was upright and true.”

Having had the leading and the guiding and inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, we can rest assured that the words that Solomon wrote are worthy of our deepest considerations and attentiveness, since they were the very words of the living God as recorded for us in Scripture.

The words were “upright”. The word there means that they were straight, that they were words of integrity. In a world that is drowning in the pool of popular opinion, we would do well to consider those words that are indeed words of integrity, and without fault.

The words that Solomon wrote are true.

Psalm 32:2 NIV84

2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

One of the great truths concerning our Saviour Jesus Christ was this...

1 Peter 2:22 NIV84

22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

The words of Solomon are among those that are upright and true. When we turn our attention to the Holy Words of Scripture, we can be assured that we are coming to feast on that which will never deceive us and lead us astray from God.

How sad that so often today the Word of God is entirely undermined!!

2. The Commendation (v.11)

We move on from the biographical sketch presented to us on the author of this book, and we find next a commendation to the readers of this wisdom literature, these words which are upright and true.

We read in verse 11...

Ecclesiastes 12:11 NIV84

11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd.

We’ve already considered that Solomon himself was a wise man, and a man who sought to convey the truth of his wisdom to others through his teaching. In this verse, we see two important aspects concerning these words of wisdom.

2.1. Wisdom is a protector

Firstly, we see that wisdom is a protector.

We are told that the words of the wise are like “goads” and like “firmly embedded nails.” Both of these expressions convey the sense that the words of wisdom keep us in the right place, and prevent us from going astray to places that we ought not to be.

If you’re not sure, a goad is a metal stick / pole with a sharp point that was used to prod an animal (particularly cattle) to certain behavior. It was used to move the animal in the right direction and to do the correct thing by prodding it with a pointed goad and so inflicting some measure of pain in the event that it wanted to go in the wrong way.

The other picture is that of firmly embedded nails, speaking about an improvised prod of nails that is attached to a board, and then similarly used to motivate in the right direction, or prevent an animal from going to a place where it ought not to be.

Both pictures then demonstrate the words of the wise to be those words that inflict a measure of hurt to the mind and conscience of the person receiving those words, the intention being to move a person to think and act in an appropriate manner that is in accordance with that wisdom.

In Hebrews 4:12, we get a wonderful picture of the word of God doing exactly this...

Hebrews 4:12 NIV84

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The word of God is that which inflicts pain on a person, as it pierces into the persons sinful state before a Holy God, such that any person who cares to take heed to the word is immediately brought to a sense of deep conviction.

But we must remember, that this work of inflicting pain is really there to keep us on the path that we ought to be on. In other words, those words of the wise, the word of our Holy God to us, is only going to begin inflicting pain upon us when we start to wonder off on a path of transgression and sin. So long as we walk in accordance with the commands and laws of God, we see these goads not as tools of inflicting pain, but of preventing wandering.

Proverbs 22:17–19 NIV84

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.

It is a sad reality that many today are not interested in the goads of the words of wisdom found in Scripture.

Recall the account of the Apostle Paul on the Damascus Road, where he was brought low by God due to him persecuting the Christians.

Acts 26:14 NIV84

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

The picture that is given in that scenario is that of the oxen kicking in rebellion against the goad that is leading it and prodding it. But as it kicks against this goad, it only results in greater pain as the goad then penetrates deeper into its flesh.

So often, we are like that ox that kicks against the goads of the word of God. We don’t want to be directed by the scriptures, and we don’t want God to tell us how to live our lives, and what is good and right to do, and what is wrong to do. And so we start rebelling against God, kicking against what He clearly teaches us is good and proper in the word!!

Instead of seeing these words as life-giving, keeping a person on the paths of God towards that which is eternally good and pleasant, we may begin to see the words of God as nothing less than a nuisance, and we may seek to free ourselves from the painful truths that the words bring. Truths concerning our desperate need of God. Truths concerning the utter holiness of God. Truths concerning the sinful state of my heart. Truths concerning what it really means to love my neighbour. Truths concerning considering others better than myself; and looking not only to my own interests, but to the interests of others. We so often want to kick against the goads of true Godly wisdom, and live our own lives, unrestricted and unrestrained. But how foolish that is!! We bring such pain and destruction upon ourselves, only because we refuse to allow God to prod us in the paths that will ultimately lead to great peace and comfort and satisfaction and joy...

2.2. Wisdom’s Source is the Great Shepherd

Further from this verse and this commendation, we read that wisdom’s source is the Great Shepherd. At the end of verse 11, it says that these words of the wise and the collected sayings are “given by one Shepherd.”

It may be that the “shepherd” here is referring to Solomon himself. But more likely the reference to the Shepherd here is a reference to God Himself. In the very proverbs that were written by Solomon, he said in Proverbs 2:6...

Proverbs 2:6 NIV84

6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Furthermore, in the Old Testament Scriptures, God was very clearly referred to as the One who was the Shepherd over Israel. In Psalm 80:1, we read of the Psalmist crying out to God with these words...

Psalm 80:1 NIV84

1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

In the New Testament, the Great Shepherd, or the Good Shepherd is none other than Christ our Lord. In John 10:11, Christ said to His disciples,

John 10:11 NIV84

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

And further on in verse 16 of that same passage, he said...

John 10:16 NIV84

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

The words of the wise that inflict this pain on our lives when we walk in sin and disobedience are words that have been given by One Shepherd, and that Shepherd is the Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Again, as we hear these words of the All-Wise Shepherd, we would do well to obey them and to allow them to do the work that they were designed for.

3. The Caution (v.12)

The Third thing that we should note from our passage this morning is the caution that is given. We find the words of this caution in verse 12:

Ecclesiastes 12:12 NIV84

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.

3.1. A Caution against Adding

As we look at this caution, we must note two things. Firstly, there is a caution against adding to the words of the wise. Most likely, the reference in this verse is to the sayings of the wise man Solomon as contained in this book of Ecclesiastes. The phrase was typically used to demonstrate the completeness and reliability of the book. In other words, the reader is not to add or take away from the words as contained in that work, since it is reliable as it stands.

There are similar phrases are used in Deuteronomy as well as in the book of Revelation.

Deuteronomy 4:2 NIV84

2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 NIV84

32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

Revelation 22:18–19 NIV84

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The fact is that the wisdom contained in the teaching as presented is reliable, and should not be altered.

If we take that further, we must understand the entirety of God’s word as revealed to us to be sufficient for us as children. If we take that which is revealed by God, and seek to add to it, or to subtract from it, then we undermine it’s integrity and ultimately we begin to do whatever pleases us according to our own measure of wisdom.

The Scriptures elsewhere warn of this danger of adding to that which God has proclaimed...

1 Timothy 6:20–21 NIV84

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.

On a practical level, we must hear the wisdom contained in the Word of God, and know that this wisdom is

3.2. A Caution against Wearisome Study

The second dimension of this caution is a caution against wearisome study.

v.12 goes on to say “of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”

While we should never underestimate the importance of growing in understanding and learning, we also need to keep in mind that unnecessary study and obsessive learning serves little worthwhile purpose.

We are reminded here that there is no end of the making of books. The problem as it is viewed in this verse is not so much that the making of books is endless, but that the making of “many books” is endless.

In a world of competing ideas and philosophies, it is not merely that there are helpful books being made, but that there are endless pursuits and finding meaning and searching out a better life or a greater meaning to life, and everyone is seeking to promote their ideas of wisdom in the world.

In the context of what has already been said, we need to know that there is a body of wisdom that has been given to us by the Almighty, and to go beyond that and to begin searching for meaning in life in other paths of supposed wisdom is an exercise in futility. According to this verse, such study “wearies the body.”

Within the broader context of the book of Ecclesiastes it should be remembered that Solomon engaged in much searching out and attempting to find meaning and understanding to the many perplexities that are observable in this fallen world. He found life to be in many respects impossible to fully understand or reason out. On a number of occassions through the book he resigned to the fact that certain things are beyond understanding, and that things in this life will not always be logical according to our own minds.

4. The Conclusion (v.13-14)

This brings us to our final point for consideration, and that is “The Conclusion”, and we’ll see that in verses 13-14. These verses contain a very powerful conclusion and summary to Solomon’s extensive seeking out of understanding in life.

At the beginning of verse 13, the Scribe who penned these concluding words writes “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter...”

All of this wise teaching of the great Teacher Solomon has been heard, and the summary and conclusion of it all is now to be given. There are two key thoughts then presented in summary.

4.1. Fear God and Obey Him

The first part of the conclusion, found in verse 13, is this: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

This is a powerful summary statement that goes to the consistent teaching of Scripture. Man has been created to live for the glory and honour of the Creator! The only way in which a person may do that is through a reverential fear and awe of the Creator in His holiness and might, and a humble submission and obedience to His laws and commands!

If we go back to the opening chapters of the Bible in the book of Genesis, the most basic requirement of man was to obey the commands of God. In particular a command was given not to eat of the fruit of a particular tree in the middle of the garden, and if there was not obedience, the result would be death for mankind. It was disobedience to that command of God that led to every single ill that we find in society today.

When Israel was freed from bondage and slavery to the Egyptians, and God gave them the commands by which they were to live, and then issued this command in Deuteronomy 6:1-2...

Deuteronomy 6:1–2 NIV84

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.

A little further on in the book of Deuteronomy, God again said to Israel in Deuteronomy 10:12...

Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV84

12 And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

A similar injunction is found even in the New Testament.

1 Peter 2:17 NIV84

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Revelation 14:7 NIV84

7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

In the search for meaning in life in all that takes place under the sun; in the search to find that which will bring satisfaction and contentment; any attempt to find such meaning and satisfaction apart from God is futile. It is furthermore a futile exercise to seek to understand every eventuality in life and to try and bring rational reasoning for every activity under heaven. That is not what God intended for us, and our finiteness as people, and our limited understanding and knowledge do not allow this.

Instead, our duty is to know God, to have a proper and due respect and awe for who God is in all His Greatness and His Goodness, and then to bow ourselves before Him in obedience to what He teaches us in Scripture. And first and foremost that obedience means to confess our sin before Him, and to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord.

4.2. Judgment is Coming

The second thought that is given follows directly on from that, and is found in verse 14, where it says...

Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV84

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

As we live out our lives in this world of uncertainty and inexplicable events, it is not our place to try and find a rational answer and reason for all that takes place. Rather, it is our place to fear God and live in obedience to Him because He is the righteous judge who is looking to see whose hearts are fully devoted to Him, and who one day will have every person come before Him in judgment.

Matthew 12:36 NIV84

36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Acts 17:31 NIV84

31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Romans 2:16 NIV84

16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Romans 14:10 NIV84

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Romans 14:12 NIV84

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV84

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Very often our problem in life is that we become so concerned with trying to understand the meaning and the reasonableness in all that unfolds in our lives, that we lose sight of what are supposed to be doing, and that is fearing God and obeying His commands to live lives of love towards Him and towards one another. We become so consumed with whether or not something is fair in life, or not fair in life, that as soon as something happens that we deem to be unfair, we go about trying to fight against this apparent unfairness, and in doing so are very often ignore God’s commands to a holy life that bears the fruit of the Spirit in our conduct.

When we do this, what are we actually doing? We’re putting ourselves in the place of God, and saying we know better how things ought to be, and so our conduct is justified…

Or we begin to grumble and complain about life, expressing how unfair we perceive life to be, as if we deserve better, and so we make God out to be unfaithful or uncaring, or unconcerned about our lives, and even unfair in his dealings with us. What a foolish position to take!!

Conclusion

Friends, the simple truth that I want to close with as we finish off our study in the book of Ecclesiastes is that if we spend our lives trying to find rational explanations for things in life, we’re going to be sorely disappointed at the results. There is great meaning and purpose in life. That meaning and purpose is to live in the fear of God, and to live in obedience to Him. It is to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. It is to trust in his Sovereign Grace and Power in all things in life, and to know that He understands all things fully, while we understand things very dimly.

As such, my exhortation to us as believers is to truly seek to know God through the Scriptures, to understand what His will is for us in our lives, and then to live in obedience to Him. We have the great joy of being the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have been called to make disciples of all nations. We have been called to live in obedience to our Lord within the context of this community. When we do that, we will find that joy is a very real part of our lives. Not a superficial joy, but a deep joy in the knowledge of God.

As we continue our lives in this world, may our lives have the same goal as the Apostle Paul...

Philippians 3:14 NIV84

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.