Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
This last chapter has two parts. The first is Solomon’s parting advice, and the second is a sort of afterward. The old king gives a passionate plea to build life on the right foundation. In verse 1 he tells the young to form their lives around their Creator. It sounds as if the old king looks back at life with regrets, and those regrets are centered on the life that was lived without God as the focus. Having built his life on and around the wrong things, as the last stage of life is lived, there is now no delight. Verses 2-6 are symbolic descriptions of the decline of life, health, and body. Verse 7 describes death, and verse 8 describes life not built on faith as “smoke.”
In the afterword of this book, Solomon asserts that his work was a high-quality product. But he points out that the answers to life's greatest questions are never purely academic. The answer is rather a life of faith and holiness before God. That life is the life of greatest joy and peace and is one that is better to bring to Judgment Day.
“Lord, give me the wisdom to build my life on the foundation of my hope, Jesus Christ. AMEN.”
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