Ecclesiastes 12:2 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Ecclesiastes 12:2

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Considering in more detail the loss of our physical powers in old age in verses 2 to 5, Solomon uses a series of pictures to illustrate the deterioration of the body. He then describes death itself in verses 6 and 7. Those who serve their lusts and the pleasures that this world provides have a poor reward for their efforts, for old age takes from them the ability to appreciate even earthly enjoyments. Consequently, they delay seeking the Lord to the worst possible time and they leave themselves without the comfort of God at that time when his comfort alone would be of any consolation.The sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are not of course darkened in themselves, but only in the estimation of the aging person whose sight is failing. When showers come, we know that the sun will return soon afterwards, drying the ground and cheering the sky again. But those who are losing their sight do not have this consolation and for them it is as if the clouds reappear again after the rain. In old age trials come one after another. But this is also true of your soul: if you do not walk with God and have never known his touch, the skies will darken. You won’t understanding of spiritual things: Scripture which explains why we are here, how we have fallen, how Christ has come to make atonement and how he forgives. All that will become more remote and less relevant. They won’t move you affect you interest you. You can see it on the face of some: irritability, temper, cunning, bitterness, so loveless, so hardened by troubles of life, obstinate, unrepentant, hostile to God.

Application

Remember your Creator, the Spirit tells us, before the time comes when sight begins to fail. You will avoid so many of the pitfalls and foolish mistakes of life by seeking God early. When evil habits first form, they are like cobwebs, but as years go by they change into cords and then ropes and then steel cables. Remember thy Creator early on before it is too late to deal with a dirty mind, lying ways – these things become harder and harder. Having drunk deeply of this world, having used the best of your years to relish the beauty of nature around you with all its vivid colours and fascinating images, having treated it as simply a playground for your pleasures, you may have left it too late to seek the Lord. With your eyes you have appreciated the glory of a landscape, the majesty of a sunset, the sparkle of reflection on water, the promise of the bright outline of the clouds; but none of these things have led you to give thanks to God. Instead you have worked hard to convince yourself that the universe exists by chance, so that you are free from having to give thanks to God or to admit your debt of obedience to him.

Now you have reached the point where God’s judgment is catching up with you. Will he listen to your cries for help now? How will you convince either yourself or the Lord that you are sincere in turning from your sins when you have persisted with them until they cease to give you any pleasure? What is to say that if your physical abilities were returned to you that you would not immediately revert to your old way of life? Yes, there is such a thing as conversion in old age, but it is rare. Seek the Lord early, says the Preacher, for why should you give your best years to this world. How can the service of the devil, whose reward is miserly and deceitful, compare with that of the King of kings? What Satan offers us is not his to give anyway, but the reward of God is far greater than we realise at first: the best is yet to come.

What things he promises to do for those who come to him! Don’t forget, he saved those who were in the depths of sin. He can change you also. Here is our Lord and Saviour. Only a fool forgets these things: that he has been offered a fortune by a loving relative, yet we forget much more. Someone is out of work for months; he is so keen to have a job but he forgets to come to the interview! Only a fool would forget the meeting place with God, Calvary.

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Ecclesiastes 12:2 Commentary and Bible Study