June 16, 2024
Read Judges 3, Ecclesiastes 11-12, 2 Corinthians 11
Before the age of cell phones, I had all my friends phone numbers memorized. I could spit out 20-25 phone numbers without any problem. Today I would be lucky if I knew all three of my own children’s phone numbers. What are some important things that you remember from your youth?
Here in Ecclesiastes 11-12 we find an admonition to “Remember your creator in the days of your youth” Ecclesiastes 12:1. Solomon tell the younger generations to “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment” v. 9. We should pursue happiness and follow our heart in many areas, but to be cautious because our heart may lead us away from the Lord. We will face judgment as the end of verse 9 teaches.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” v. 12:1. Many people excuse the behavior of the younger generations by saying things like “they are just sowing their wild oats” but Solomon tells us to dedicate our life to the Lord while we are still young. A few verses later He adds, “Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” vv. 6-7. Maybe we have not had an early life of remembering the Lord. Solomon says, it’s not too late. We must remember.
The conclusion to the book of Ecclesiastes is at the end of chapter 12. Solomon’s grand experiment came down to this. “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” vv. 13-14. To fear God, doesn’t mean to be afraid of him, although we might have a healthy fear in that manner. To fear God, means to respect and revere God and his commandments. They are for our good, even if we don’t think so or understand them.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
Posted by John Weldon 
DId God Really Say... 