Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20031203.htm

ECCLESIASTES: PROVIDING A CORRECT WORLD VIEW FOR A LIFE OF MEANING
Part VII: Advice On Living This Life In View Of Man's Limitations To Find Meaning In It
F. Living Sensibly In View Of The Certainty Of Death [Or The Rapture]
(Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7 with 12:13-14)
  1. Introduction
    1. Though one can not be sure of much that will happen to him, empirically considered, death is for certain.
    2. In view of the fact that man is limited in finding meaning in this life as it is empirically considered (only with the five senses, "under the sun,"), and since death is certain when this life is considered only by the senses, Solomon's following suggestions give a sensible response to these sobering facts:
  2. Living Sensibly In View Of The Certainty Of Death [Or The Rapture], Eccles. 11:7-12:7; 12:13-14.
    1. Solomon called his readers to recall that though one can live a long and joyful life, empirically viewed, such a life will end in death, and the many days of the darkness of death yet await him, Eccles. 11:7-8.
    2. Accordingly, one's joyful living should be tempered with responsible living, for both in this life as well as after death, all men will give an account unto the Creator for their actions in life, 11:9-10; 12:13-14.
    3. Lest one think he can give himself to sinful pleasure while young and repent in old age when he can not enjoy much fun, Solomon called young men to recall they are accountable to Almighty God, 12:1-7:
      1. Even young men were to consider their Creator before old age would rob them of joy in this life, 12:1.
      2. Young men were to consider their Creator before the unsavory decay of old age overtook them, 12:2-5:
        1. Solomon urged young men to consider their Creator before the loss of one's vitality came during his waning years of old age, Ecclesiastes 12:2, cf. Bib. Know. Com., O.T., p. 1004.
        2. Specifically, Solomon urged young men to consider their Creator before the aging process caused their arms and hands to weaken (12:2-3a), their legs to grow feeble (12:3b), their teeth to lessen in number (12:3c), their eyesight to weaken (12:3d), their hearing to fade (12:4a), their good sleep patterns to melt into insomnia (12:4b), their capacity to climb heights to fail (12:5a), their capacity to walk failing and causing them anxiety (12:5b), their hair to whiten (12:5c), their limbs started to become crippled (12:5d) and before their sexual drive abated (12:e) prior to death (12:5f).
      3. Young men were to consider their Creator before death finally robbed them of this life, 12:6-7:
        1. The references to the silver cord being loosed, the golden bowl being broken or the pitcher being broken at the fountain may possibly refer to heart or stroke problems, but they most probably figuratively picture death itself, Ibid., p. 1005.
        2. In the end, the body will return to dust and the spirit will to God, making all that the man knew in this present life a vanity (as empirically considered "under the sun"), Ecclesiastes 12:7-8.
    4. The reason we should temper our enjoyment in this life with responsible obedience to God is the fact that sometimes during this life and certainly at the end of life in eternity, we all will give account to God for ALL we did in life, whether it occurred in youth or in old age, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 et al:
      1. The final conclusion to Ecclesiastes in chapter 12, verses 13-14 reveals God's main purpose in making man is that all men come to respect so as to obey Him, Ecclesiastes 12:13.
      2. Indeed, whether it was done near physical death in old age or when one was young, he will give an account to God for it, an accounting with consequences of reward or punishment, Ecclesiastes 12:14.
      3. Accordingly, in view of the rest of Scripture, we have the following applications [for today]:
        1. We must believe in Christ to be forgiven for what we did before that salvation or suffer eternal punishment for rejecting Christ in our lostness in sin, cf. Revelation 20:11-15,
        2. As Biblical Chritians, though what sins we did before salvation are forgiven by God, we will give an account at the Bema Seat of Christ for post-salvation lives, and receive either reward or a loss of reward accordingly, cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10-11. That being so, it is always good to respect the Lord so as always to obey Him throughout our lives! (1 John 1:9; Gal. 5:16-23; 1 John 2:2-6)
Lesson: As we will ALL give an account for ALL of our lives, we must TEMPER enjoying life with a sense of accountability to God, and do so IMMEDIATELY and FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES!

Application: In view of our accountability to God, may we (1) temper living for pleasure and (2) trust in Christ for salvation and (3) obey God for the rest of our lives, (4) starting NOW!