Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Notes
Transcript
Each of us has no doubt experienced the uncomfortable feeling (after giving an explanation, lecture, or plea) of looking at the confused expression of the person or audience with whom we were trying to communicate.
We have also been on the other side of the communication where we are unsure as to whether we should smile, nod, or frown at the person who has been talking to us.
In such situations, we may look to someone for our cues as to how we should respond. If someone we know or respect is nodding in agreement, we encouraged that what the speaker is saying must be good. If the cue person has his arms crossed with a frown on his face, we can tend to adopt his attitude toward the speakers as well.
In coming to the end of the book of Ecclesiastes it would be truly amazing if any of us could say, “I fully understand what the author was saying.” I think most of us would say: “So what is exactly is the Teacher (Explain this word) saying or calling us to do?” It would seem like the Teacher was sucking on a lemon when we hear is repeated reminder about the vanity of life (explanation), the impossibility of gain, and the impending death for all. However, it then seems like the teacher takes on a Pollyana spirit when he repeatedly tells us to enjoy the gifts from God in the midst of this fleeting and unsettling life.
At the conclusion of the book, the author gives an evaluation and summation of what the teacher has been saying in the book. This is important. Is he going to tell us that the teacher was just trying to sober us up, but is overall just a person who sees things from a negative perspective. Or is he going to say his calls to enjoyment were naive and unrealistic. In our confusion, we need to take our cues from the author. Even if we come to the end with fuller understanding, we must draw on Christ to live the joyful sobering life.
Pray
What would our cue man say to us?

We devalue the beautiful, painful, and simple words of Ecclesiastes.

Promote the words of the Shepherd Teacher to their saving purpose

I would like to introduce us to three “cue” individuals that will help us in this task: Dean, Brian, and Clifton
What are the promoting responses?

Take delight in the beautiful words of the Shepherd Teacher

Ecclesiastes 12:9–10 NKJV
9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
Illustration of taking cue from Dean Lawson after a performance
The Teacher is “applauded” for his
Wisdom
Teaching
Careful study of all the voices of wisdom and his fitting arranged them carefully for us
His search was for words of beauty and truth. The words are not fluff without substance nor are they substance without attractiveness.
Our idea of what is pleasant is far lower than God’s. Left to our own thinking your scope of pleasure will always be shrinking.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 NKJV
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
Are cue man is not only an applauder, he is also sober and he would direct us to:

Be sobered by the painful words of the Shepherd Teacher

Ecclesiastes 12:11 NKJV
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
Illustration of visitors taking cue from the resident
The cue man states
These words regarding vanity, death, oppression, and forgotten memory are painful goads.
They are meant to direct us back on the way.
They are meant to Shepherd us
“You will know that you know God when sometimes what he says makes you weep as he humbles your pride. Reverses your expectations. Upsets your priorities. Offends your behavior. Challenges your thinking.”
Ecclesiastes 12:12 NKJV
12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
The writer is telling the son not to continue on a mere acquisition of knowledge. The thorough words of the wise should be used for living and not just for adding knowledge.
This seems to fall in line with the admonition earlier in the book to not be too wise. There is a foolishness in this.
The sobering new is that you are not going to figure everything out nor were you meant to.
Our cue man is praising, sobering, and simple, and he would direct us to:

Reverently obey God

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 NKJV
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 3:14
Ecclesiastes 3:14 NKJV
14 I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.
This call to fear the Lord deals with man’s inability to find out what God has done. This is a humble posture. This is what a finite one does before and infinite one. This is not a defeated posture; it is a realignment with with what reality.
Ecclesiastes 5:7
Ecclesiastes 5:7 NKJV
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
In this context, one is admonished to be slow in making vows and multiplying words before God. He is not to be treated casually. He is to be feared.
Ecclesiastes 7:18
Ecclesiastes 7:18 NKJV
18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
This fear of God would lead one to avoid excessive wickedness as well as righteousness. Wickedness destroys a life. There is a righteousness that seeks to manipulate God. The thinking is that one can do wise things and manipulate desired outcomes.
Ecclesiastes 8:12
Ecclesiastes 8:12 NKJV
12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.
In the context the sinner keeps on sinning because a sentence is not executed speedily. A fear of God leads one to not just look at the hear and now. It will ultimately be well with those who fear God.
A fear of God frees one to enjoy God’s gifts rather than trying to live as though that is all that matters. (work, pleasure, wealth, status)
Keep His commands
The enigmas of life (good not being rewarded, facing of death, the inability to understand God’s timing and ways, forgotten like the poor wise man) is not meant to lead to the conclusion that nothing matters. Obedience does matter. There is accountabilty. Obedience is to be accompanied by awe of God. It is not a control mechanism for God.
The motives:
This captures the whole duty of every man
There is an accountability/reward for this action
This fixed aspect should lead to saving effect today
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