Fear God And Keep His Commandments Series

Lesson

Similarly, in today’s lesson, we are urged to demonstrate our fear of God by keeping his commandments.

I. The Preacher’s Discipline (12:9-11)

First, observe the Preacher’s discipline in Ecclesiastes 12:9-11.

Some scholars believe that an editor added these words in the final section. However, I am not convinced; I believe that the Preacher wrote these words.

In verses 9-11 the Preacher tells us the reason for writing Ecclesiastes, the method employed in writing Ecclesiastes, and the value of Ecclesiastes. Let’s note the Preacher’s discipline in writing Ecclesiastes.

A. The Reason for Writing Ecclesiastes (12:9a)

First, note the reason for writing Ecclesiastes. The Preacher says in Ecclesiastes 12:9a, “Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge . . . .”

The Preacher seems to promote himself and his own wisdom when he says, “Besides being wise, the Preacher . . . .” Perhaps that is the reason that some people believe that an editor wrote the conclusion. They don’t think that the Preacher could be so self-promoting.

However, I suggest to you that the Preacher is not promoting himself. Instead, he was saying in a rather humble way that he had discovered the source of true wisdom. He had discovered what the Psalmist said about wisdom in Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This is also what Solomon said about wisdom in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” You see, the Preacher had discovered that all true wisdom is found in reverent awe of God.

So, because he had discovered that all true wisdom has its source in God, he also taught the people knowledge. That is, he taught the people how to live a meaningful life.

If you have discovered true wisdom, if you have discovered the fear of the Lord, then you will also want to share that knowledge with people. Do you? Do you feel compelled to tell others about how they too can live a meaningful life?

B. The Method Employed in Writing Ecclesiastes (12:9b-10)

Second, note the method employed in writing Ecclesiastes.

How did the Preacher teach the people? In two ways.

First, by “weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care” (12:9b). “Proverbs” is a broad term. It included not only what we think of as proverbs but also parables, riddles, and sayings. When the Preacher wrote his book, there was a lot of wisdom literature that existed in Israel. So, as he came across proverbs he first weighed them. That is, he put them in the balance scales, as it were, to see whether or not they reflected true wisdom. Next, he studied them, examining them carefully. And finally, he arranged them by setting them in a certain order. And all of this the Preacher did with great care.

Verse 10 tells us the second way the Preacher taught the people knowledge: “The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.”