Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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Cross-references

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Summary

  • The final conclusion: What really matters in life.


Details and/or Comments

  • Ecclesiastes shows us that it is good for us to rejoice in life and in the fruit of our labor, and that this opportunity to rejoice is a gift from God. (See: The "Highest Good" We Can Pursue in Life.) However, everything in this life, including the opportunity to rejoice in God's gifts, will come to an end. When we reach that final moment, only one thing will continue to matter - and that is what this passage is all about.


Scripture

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

See also: Summary Statement - Basic Obligations for Living.

Scripture Passage Comments and Links
Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. Our ultimate duty in life - the one that should influence everything else we do: Fear and obey God. If you fear God, you will have the resulting "fruit" of obedience.

This should influence everything we do!

  • Futility in Life (This is the only thing that will remain after death. The rest will be forever gone.)
  • Values (We should value this more than anything else; for it is the only thing that has eternal significance.)
Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil. The Day of Justice will come - it is inescapable, whether we are ready or not. It will include "hidden" things, such as motives and things done when others aren't looking.

Many other passages in Scripture describe the nature of this righteous judgment. And it will be made possible because of the very nature and character of God. Consider these attributes:

Note that nothing will be considered "neutral" at that time. Though we may call some things "neutral" right now, because they can be either good or bad, at the Day of Justice, these things will be evaluated based on the motives that influenced them. This will remove any "neutrality" that may have existed.


1:1-18  •  2:1-26  •  3:1-22  •  4:1-16  •  5:1-7  •  5:8-20  •  6:7-9  •  7:10  •  8:1-8  •  9:1-2  •  9:7 - 10:1  •  12:7  •  12:13-14

Scripture Passages
(Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.)

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—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——
The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.