Ecclesiastes 12
Lutheran reading notes
In Ecclesiastes chapter 12, the wisdom literature continues to explore the meaning of life and reverence for God amid life's vanity. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Ecclesiastes 12:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
Ecclesiastes 12:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, {the grinders...: or, the grinders fail, because they grind little}
Ecclesiastes 12:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
Ecclesiastes 12:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Also {when} they shall be afraid of {that which is} high, and fears {shall be} in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Ecclesiastes 12:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Ecclesiastes 12:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all {is} vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, {and} set in order many proverbs. {moreover...: or, the more wise the preacher was, etc}
Ecclesiastes 12:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and {that which was} written {was} upright, {even} words of truth. {acceptable...: Heb. words of delight}
Ecclesiastes 12:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
The words of the wise {are} as goads, and as nails fastened {by} the masters of assemblies, {which} are given from one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books {there is} no end; and much study {is} a weariness of the flesh. {study: or, reading}
Ecclesiastes 12:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this {is} the whole {duty} of man. {Let...: or, The end of the matter, even all that hath been heard, is}
Ecclesiastes 12:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether {it be} good, or whether {it be} evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.