Final Word

The book of Ecclesiastes contains treasures of wisdom, twelve chapters long. At the end, the author has one final word as a conclusion:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (lit. this is for all of mankind). Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

God’s commandments (=instruction) are to be kept. Where else than in the heart?

Let them not steal away from before your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; Proverbs 4:21 (CLV)

God’s instructions are not for man to be obeyed by works of “hands and feet”, but to keep them in the heart. When do they find a place in the heart? When a man discovers that God’s commandments are nothing else than promises. For it is God Who, one by one, fulfills the promises.

• You shall love the Lord with all your heart…
• You shall love your neighbour as yourself …
• etc.

When such commands are laid ON man as a yoke, no one can bear them (Acts 15:10). But when they are understood as promises, they mean un-ending rest and relief, because GOD DOES IT ALL!!! Therefore, the only attitude becoming a man, before the great Disposer, is one of profound awe! Because HE guarantees the fulfillment of His word. Earlier, the Preacher had said the following about the fear of GOD:

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 (KJV)

The insight that concerning what GOD does, there is nothing to add to or to subtract from, makes a man small (= humble) and arouses within him awe for GOD. And that is precisely the intention. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is for all mankind. Make no mistake, that too is a promise! In the Psalms it says:

Let all the earth fear (lit. shall fear) Yahweh; Let all those dwelling in the habitance revere (lit. shall revere) Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He enjoined, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:8,9 (CLV)

Unfortunately, in many translations the promise-character of these words have disappeared, while this is precisely the essence of our reverence and awe for GOD. When He speaks, it is not a question to us. Neither is it a wish, as are expressed in countless numbers, at the turn of a year.  No, when HE speaks, then it is there!! And when HE commands, then it is established. His Word is also His deed. Hence:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is for all of mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13

——————————————————- On behalf of all the members of the house of GoedBericht.nl: THE BEST IS YET TO COME! That is not our wish. It is a certainty, based on GOD’S promises. These promises give more than enough strength for 2013!!!  

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