Solomon's Succinct Summary

Today, we still use euphemisms. We don’t say someone died. We say, they passed on or passed away. They aren’t with us anymore. They are departed, or they gave up the ghost.

Apparently saying someone died was just as uncomfortable when Solomon was writing as it is for most of us today.

He says, when we see these changes happening, we need to reflect on the fact that life isn’t a guarantee. We aren’t promised tomorrow. We need to reflect on our final destination when we get these reminders that time is passing. And, we need to:

Resolve – vss 8-14

8 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.” 9 In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and write words of truth accurately. 11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.

13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.

Solomon goes back to his opening statement from chapter 1, verse 1. Everything is futile. Solomon points out that when he lived just for himself, it was all futility. He changed his attitude, changed his focus, and it all became worthwhile. He resolved to make his life about others. He resolved to make a difference.

George Bernard Shaw put it this way. “This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

Solomon says wisdom wasn’t enough. He shared it. Vs 9 says, “he constantly taught the people knowledge.” In verse 10, he wasn’t content to pass along his wisdom as he knew it, but worked to improve how he presented his message. Why? Vs 11 – He recognized the value of good advice. Goads are spiked sticks used for driving cattle. A little momentary pain that points us in the right direction. Firmly embedded nails makes me think of horseshoes. You want the nails firmly embedded, or the shoe is more of a hindrance than a help. A firmly embedded nail holds the horseshoe on, protecting the horse’s hoof, making it able to handle rough terrain so much easier. Goads and nails are short-term pain for long-term gain.