The Pursuit of Happiness
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – 8; 13 & 14
Ecclesiastes 12: 1-8; 13-14
1 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"; 2 before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain;
3 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, 4 and the doors along the street are shut; then the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint,
5 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 --
6 before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cistern – 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 "Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, “All of these things are futile!“ 13 The end of the matter, having heard everything: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, concerning every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Setting the Text
-- Solomon had it all!!!
---- Many wives and concubines
---- Money and Power
---- Fame and Wisdom
-- Solomon searched it all!!!
-- Solomon built them all!!!
-- Here’s the Conclusion of the Matter
---- Meaningless ?
1. Remember Your Creator
-- Remember!!!
----We easily forget.
-- Your Creator
---- As opposed to “Your God”
---- Your Creator knows you intimately
---- Your Creator knows what will make you happy!!!
2. Redeem the Time
-- When?
---- “In the days of your youth”
---- “Before the days of trouble” (v.1)
---- “Before the end of the time” (v.2-5)
---- “Before you die” (v.6-7)
-- Why?
---- Everything (else) is Meaningless (v.8)
3. Reverence God
-- Verse 13
-- Yare – fear or tremble
---- Fear God!!!
---- Perfect love casts away fear (1 John 4:18)
---- Reverence, worship, and obedience (TDOT)
---- Fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7)
4. Resolve to keep His Commandments
-- This is the whole duty of men and women
-- Matthew 22: 37-40
-- Love God with all your being
---- 1. Don’t have any other gods
---- 2. Accept no substitute
---- 3. Take God seriously
---- 4. Don’t overwork.
-- Love Your Neighbor as yourself.
---- 5. Honor Your Parents
---- 6. Protect Life
---- 7. Affair-proof your marriage
---- 8. Have Integrity
---- 9. Tell the Truth
---- 10. Be Content
