30 Days with Solomon

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth— before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain; when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim, and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint, and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up— because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets— before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water whe...

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings. The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.  (Ec 12:9-12) Concluding Colophon Commentators tend to agree that Ec 12:9-12 fits the pattern of a concluding colophon.  A colophon is typically at the beginning or ending of a manuscript where the copyist includes some personal information or observation.  In this case a third person is commenting on Solomon's literary approach.  Some highlights of this colophon are that Solomon was a wise teacher and that he taught in a systematic way which carefully evaluated and arranged his proverbs. ...

So how do we apply Solomon's conclusion for those living in New Testament times?  Certainly, we must fear God as Solomon suggests. We must live circumspectly. These truths are universal and have been important for people throughout the ages. But what about those living after the appearing of Jesus, the Messiah?  We must consider new things He has revealed.  And keeping His commands takes on greater meaning for a follower of Christ.  If we truly fear God what would this mean about our response to Christ?  And what commandments did Jesus tell us to obey? So, then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent.”   (Jn 6:28-29) Now this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us the commandment. And the person who keeps his commandments resides in God, and God in him. Now by this ...