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Day 12 Ecclesiastes 12 Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity. Solomon is here describing the decay of the body in old age. Sun, light, moon, and stars darkened, nor clouds return after rain – This speaks of eyesight and strength. As we age we are faced with cataracts, which dims our sight, and our strength becomes weak. Keepers of the house will tremble and bow – our legs will lose their strength. Grinders will be few – loss of teeth. Windows will be darkened – eyesight worsens. Doors shut in the street – hearing diminishes. Afraid of that which is high – any kind of height becomes a problem, even steps and curbs. Almond tree will flourish – hair will turn gray. Grasshopper a burden – Grasshoppers were food, and even though it is not much, it still was a burden on the stomach. Desire will fail – lovemaking will be no more. Silver cord loosed and golden bowl broken – silver cord – spinal cord – golden bowl – brain – stroke. Dust return to the earth – death. 9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (KJV) From the moment you are born, you start the aging process. Though in your youth you aren’t as aware of it as you are when middle age hits and you start to slow down and your cognitive skills lessen. You find yourself going to the doctor more because as soon as one problem is found, another crops up. It becomes a never-ending cycle of doctors and cures until you close your eyes for the last time, and death comes your way. Solomon concluded all his findings by stating the whole duty of man: to fear God and keep his commandments, because God will judge everything you do when you close your eyes in death and face him in that day. As Christians, you know when that day comes, there will be rejoicing because you have not rejected Jesus as Savior and Lord. Your life is his, you are in the palm of his hand, and everything you do is for his glory. His love and grace is on your life. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (KJV) For those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord, God’s judgment isn’t full of rejoicing as they face an eternity of separation from him. John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. (KJV) What will the end of your life bring you? Let’s pray: Father, my days are numbered from the moment of my birth. All of them are written in your book. Help me live my life according to your will, not with selfishness and pride, but with love for you and in obedience to your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 12 August 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay