Call to Commitment

The elderly begin to lose their faculties one by one; this is what Solomon calls “evil days”. Of course, we are dealing with natural life under the sun. The godly will find reason to enjoy his late life, as much or more than his youth or middle age. Listen to the apostle Paul: “We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Co.4:16). However, the mere man of this world has little enjoyment, as day after day passes, and he has little future, in which to expect better things.

The preacher is using figurative metaphors to show the decline of physical features. In verse 2, he points to sunlight, moonlight, starlight, and a day darkened by the continuous passing of clouds, to illustrate the dimness of senses and mental capabilities. Too often, depression sets in, as one ailment follows another and difficulties of all kinds increase. Memory becomes less acute (v.2).

“The keepers of the house tremble.” In a public place, we would call these the security agents. They illustrate the hands and arms, which defend the body. Instead of counting on them for defense, the old arms and hands begin to tremble. “The strong men are bent”, that is, the legs that we count on to carry our body in transport, bend with age. They slow from a run to a jog, to a walk. Soon a cane has to be employed and then, possibly, a walker or wheel chair. For this reason, the Psalmist says, “(The Lord’s) delight (is not) in the legs of a man” (Ps.147:10). The grinders, of course, are the teeth, which fall out or become decayed and eating loses its pleasure. Then eyesight decreases and we are subject to error in recognition, such as that made by Isaac (v.3).

“The doors of the house are shut”, there is less engagement in conversation and less zest in speaking, particularly due to a loss of hearing… “the sound of the grinding is low… all the daughters of song are brought low”. Sleeping is light, more restless and the aged tend to awaken more often at night (v.4).

Also fears increase and the elderly are less likely to venture out into the street, take walks or go shopping. They are afraid of falling and avoid anything, but level ground. The white blossoms of the almond tree are wonderfully abundant in their season… that is, the white hair that covers the head. Little things (the grasshopper) and chores are exaggerated and become difficult and tedious. Natural desires become ever weaker and the appetite becomes less keen. Man is getting ready for his eternal destiny and earthly things are losing their luster. The mourners are getting ready for the funeral (v.5).

Solomon starts a new paragraph… Remember your Creator now “before the silver cord is snapped…” The silver cord of life breaks, the vital functions of the body break down, the heart fails and the whole circulatory system halts (v.6). The Holy Spirit provides inspiration, which goes beyond the knowledge of the preacher. Though these symptoms may be general in old age, they are particularly true in a life, which has wasted opportunity and is now unable to function physically. It is then too late. Some young people hold the idea that when they are older, they will look into spiritual matters, but now they want to “enjoy life”. That is satanic delusion and the preacher is trying to help them to awaken to good sense.

Too soon, the dust that is physical man will return to the dust. He will fall victim to the generation cycle and others will take his place among the living. Solomon is coming to the end of his book and his message is picking up intensity. “The spirit returns to God, who gave it” (v.7). The preacher shows us now that he does not believe in the appearances that life under the sun teaches. In the end, man will give account to God. “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (He.9:27).  After this powerful statement concerning a wasted youth, old age and death, he delivers his theme: “Vanities of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity!”

9. Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.

Here is the truth that needs to be kept foremost in our minds and hearts: judgment lies ahead! (v.14) To the sinner it will be the Great White Throne judgment. He will discover that his name is not found in the book of life and he will be judged according to his evil deeds. To the Christian it will be the tribunal of Christ, where he will stand alone and see if his works have been done in the Holy Spirit or in the flesh. All that is flammable will burn and he will receive reward for that, which does not burn. In both the case of the sinner and the saint, every secret thing will be uncovered to the great shame of the one, who committed evil deeds. However, the prayer warrior, who has labored quietly, tirelessly and without notice before the throne of God, will receive eternal recognition.

What a book this is that we have just finished! Let us keep it close to our hearts, as we walk this earth. It is a reminder to all of us of the vanity of life and it will keep us from earth’s many involvements and traps. Let us take it to the streets, to our neighbors, relatives and friends. Place Solomon’s indisputable arguments before every unconverted heart, so that he or she might “awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God” (1 Co.15:34).

I would like to add to our thoughts, in closing, words from Matthew Henry concerning Solomon. I think it will add to our appreciation of his work, as well as add to our appreciation of the redemptive power of God, if we properly see the preacher’s repentance. We want to profit to the maximum from his writings.

“Solomon recommends what he had written upon this subject by divine direction and inspiration to our serious consideration. The words of this book are faithful, and well worthy our acceptance, for, 1) They are the words of one that was a convert, a penitent, that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world and the folly of expecting great things from it. He was one gathered in from his wanderings and gathered home to that God from whom he had revolted. ‘Vanity of vanities’, saith the penitent. All true penitents are convinced of the vanity of the world, for they find it can do nothing to ease them of the burden of sin, which they complain of.

2) They are the words of one that was wise, wiser than any, endued with extraordinary measures of wisdom, famous for it among his neighbors, who all sought unto him to hear his wisdom, and therefore a competent judge of this matter, not only wise as a prince, but wise as a preacher – and preachers have need of wisdom to win souls.