The conclusion of the matter
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - It all boils down to changing our focus from ourselves to God.
Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV
I was a professional writer for the last 15 years or so of my career. While I could write long, detailed articles about computer hardware, software, and services, I always found the most difficult task to be writing the conclusion to my work.
Solomon, who is considered by most biblical scholars to be the author of this rather unique book of the Bible, apparently had no such challenge. In today’s verse and the following ultimate verse of the book, Solomon succinctly wraps up his musings with “the conclusion of the matter.”
He has just spent the last 11 chapters — plus the remainder of this last chapter — exploring human thoughts and experiences. He has tried to uncover every way for humans to be successful and happy. Solomon had great wisdom and was a very wealthy man, so he could apply his resources to a search into what could provide any person with a sense of accomplishment or prestige, feelings of pleasure and power.
At the end of the experiment, he concludes that ““Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”” (Ecclesiastes 12:8). In ancient Hebrew, the word translated here as vanity is הֶבֶל (heḇel). One of the definitions of heḇel is “vapor, breath”, with the indication here that Solomon felt that the pursuit of material things was simply wisps of vapor that would disappear in the slightest breeze.
What did provide fulfillment for Solomon? Once “all has been heard”, he concluded that man’s search for meaning is fulfilled in respect (fear) of God and keeping His commandments. Faith and obedience are the pillars upon which a meaningful life is built.
The Bible Says offers this commentary on fear of God:
Humans obey what we fear. The key is to prioritize our fears. If we fear rejection above all other fears then, we will serve the opinion of others. If we fear poverty over the fear of all others, then we will serve our earning potential and savings account. It is good to work, and to not mistreat other people. But the major question is, “What do we fear most of all?”
Solomon’s answer is clear, to fear God. And in particular, God’s judgment. For God will bring every act to judgment. Every single act we do in life will fall under God’s scrutiny. And He will decide whether our deeds are good or evil. We will not decide. Other humans will not decide. God will decide. He will decide for every act. That means every single thing we do.
And God will not only bring judgment on every act that is visible, but also everything which is hidden. This concept is repeated in Hebrews, which states:
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
(Hebrews 4:12-13)
David Guzik’s commentary on the verse offers additional enlightenment:
b. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all: Solomon came to understand that it was worth it to obey God, and this obedience both pleased God and fulfilled man’s destiny.
i. “Fear God is a call that puts us in our place, and all other fears, hopes, and admirations in their place.” (Kidner)
ii. “From that to this should be every man’s pilgrimage in this world. We begin at vanity, and never know perfectly that we are vain till we come to fear God and keep his commandments.” (Trapp)
iii. “If it is the ‘beginning of wisdom’ it is also the end, the conclusion; no progress in the believer’s life leaves it behind.” (Eaton)
iv. “This is the only place in Ecclesiastes where the commands of God are mentioned.” (Eaton)
v. The King James Version (and other translations as well) inserted an unhelpful word in Ecclesiastes 12:13, translating For this is the whole duty of man. The word duty does not appear in the Hebrew text, and it has much more the idea of for this is man’s all.
vi. “The last phrase reads literally: ‘For this is the whole of the man.’ Elsewhere in Ecclesiastes, however, the ‘whole of the man’ is a Hebrew idiom for ‘every man’ (cf 3:13; 5:19). The sense, therefore, is ‘This applies to everyone’.” (Eaton)
After all of our grasping and struggling for money, power, respect, and all of the other trappings of modern “success”, it is refreshing to find that there is a deceptively simple road to happiness to be found in having faith in God and obeying His commandments. It all boils down to changing our focus from ourselves to God.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom embodied in Your Word. Help me to cultivate a heart that fears and respects You, a heart that is cognizant of Your authority in my life. Guide me to always obey Your commandments, which is my true purpose in life. Continue to strengthen my faith so I may live my life honoring You, seeking to fulfill my duty as Your creation. AMEN.