Download 14 Ecclesiates 12v9-14 The Whole Duty Of Man

Presentation 14
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Introduction
The novels of Agatha Christie and the book
of Ecclesiastes have something in
common. Not much but something! Both
writers keep you guessing right to the end.
In answer to the questions, “what is the
meaning of life?” and “how can it bring me
satisfaction?” Our author has taken us
along many popular avenues but we never
get to our destination. Indeed, at times we
feel that he in teasing us by suggesting
possible solutions and then dismantling
them.
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Introduction
But finally the mystery falls into place. The
puzzle is solved. For some the answer is
unexpected. It is a simple answer - a proven
answer that has been tested through
history. As man allows God access into his
life he begins not only to understand the
purpose of his creation but he experiences
the joy of living.
These last verses form an epilogue in which
the writer describes his approach and his
methods. And he urges his readers to take
his findings seriously and so fulfil the
"Whole duty of man".
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The Preacher’s Approach
The preacher’s principal task was one of
teaching cf v9... If men and women were to be
delivered from this maze, then they would
need knowledge of their predicament. And so
he gave himself to study. He sweated over the
preparation of his sermons for he had
something of vital importance to communicate.
A greater preacher would one day say, "If the
truth shall set you free you shall be free
indeed” Jn.8.32. Jesus, who spoke these
words, also exercised a teaching ministry and
for similar reasons. It is truth that liberates. Do
you believe that?
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The Preacher’s Approach
Secondly, the preacher’s approach was faithful.
Cf. v10, he "searched to find the right words and
what he wrote was upright and true."
I want to suggest to that his was not an easy
task because he was challenging the established
thinking of his day. He was shaking the
crumbling foundations of people’s lives. He was
confronting them with the futility and
meaninglessness that faced them. Often those
who have refused God room in their lives, want
constant reassurance that they are really O.K.
They want to be told that there's an exit door at
the bottom of their blind alley.
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The Preacher’s Approach
Jeremiah tells us that God was furious with a bunch
of preachers who wanted a quiet life. They refused
to make a true diagnosis of their people’s spiritual
condition. They preached "Peace, peace”, where
there was no peace, Jer. 6.14! This preacher didn't
come from that school. He told the truth.
But why say so many unpleasant things? Why shatter
people’s fond beliefs? Is it because he loves arguing
or, gets some perverse pleasure out of slapping
other people down? No! It is because he loves his
hearers and wants the best for them that he
endangers his own popularity. That, you will
remember, was why Jesus told his hearers the truth
about their condition.
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The Effect Of His Work
What was the effect of this preacher’s ministry?
First, it was disturbing. This book is not written
for the insomniac. It does not say, "come and
listen to me, I'll soon put you to sleep."
In v11 the writer’s preaching is likened to a goad.
I once saw bullocks driven by goads in Pakistan.
When they stopped moving a spiked staff was
driven their haunch and the lazy animals took off
like a bullet. This author is familiar with human
nature. He knows that we are like lazy bullocks
who will happily stop short of God’s planned
destination for our lives.
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The Effect Of His Work
We can be found resting in the doorway of one
blind alley or another, while life in all its fullness
awaits our discovery.
The preacher says, “I refuse to allow you to rest
content with an unsatisfactory philosophy. I am
going to tell you disturbing things that will move
you forward”.
Surely the minister of the gospel would be
disappointed if his own ministry of God’s word
failed to have a disturbing impact upon his
hearers, urging them forward, appealing to them
not to settle for anything less than Gods best.
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The Effect Of His Work
Look at the lasting effect of this approach in v11..,
these words of wisdom are like, “firmly embedded
nails.” If you want to join two pieces of wood
together in a lasting fashion you don’t use a flimsy
piece of thread, you find the biggest possible nail
and you drive it home. If preaching is to have a
lasting and telling effect that is what it must do.
God's word has to be driven home into our hearts.
Preaching that fails to penetrate is of no lasting
value. If you have never been disturbed and
challenged then has the preacher has failed you?
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The Effect Of His Work
The exclusiveness of the writers approach is
addressed in v12... It seems initially to be the
highest impertinence. Is he saying, “read my
book, but have a literary bonfire with all the
rest, Agatha Christie included"? No of course
not.
The context of v11 makes it clear that he is
making a plea for the reading of the collected
sayings of the wise. He is pointing to his bible
and saying ‘set nothing above this book’. It
should become an authoritative guide to our
thinking because the answer to life is found in
scripture and there alone.
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The Effect Of His Work
In the Church of Scotland, when a minister or an
elder is ordained these words are read out:
"The Church of Scotland acknowledges the Word
of God which is contained in the scriptures of the
Old and New Testament to be the supreme rule of
life and faith".
Indeed, when members join the church they
promise to be faithful among other things in the
reading of their bibles – and so they acknowledge
the value of this book. That is precisely what the
writer is recommending here. But he does more
than that. He says these writings or sayings are
given by one Shepherd.
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The Effect Of His Work
Now that is a remarkable statement because it is
applied to a collection of writings with a whole
variety of human authors. But this assortment of
books is viewed as quite unique. Why? Because
they are given by one Shepherd. What does this
mean for us at the end of our journey through
Ecclesiastes? Our writer has raised many problems
and posed many queries but now he makes this
penetrating observation, ‘the answers are given in
this unified collection of writings’. Philosophers
cannot answer life’s deepest questions nor can the
brightest university professor. We need to put our
questions to the right person, to the One
Shepherd, the author of this amazing book.
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The Effect Of His Work
I know a man who spent much of his life reading and
researching, seeking to discover life's meaning. In fact,
he fell in love with his research, and didn't want it
brought to an end. He didn't want to find the solution
to his enquiry or come to the Shepherd and ask him to
speak through his word.
Another man also read widely. He eventually tried the
Bible. There he met the Good Shepherd and found
life's meaning. Do you see the difference between
these two men? The preacher is saying to his readers,
“don't let your minds grow sluggish and lazy, but
investigate and so allow the good Shepherd to answer
your questions from out of his word. And be ready to
accept the answers that he gives”.
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The Preacher’s Final Exhortation
The preacher now turns from the use our minds to
that of our emotions. Today we live in an age of
feelings where people regularly say, “I don't feel
like it”. What then is the proper safeguard for our
feelings that so easily run out of control and leave a
trail of damage behind? It is contained in two words.
"Fear God." Joseph the young man in Egypt was
tempted to immorality by the wife of his boss. He had
passions that could be roused just like the next man.
What controlled him? He says, How then could I do
this great evil and sin against God? Gen.39.9.
He feared God! It is as we grasp that God is our
Guardian, Keeper, Lord and Judge and so live in
awe of him that our feelings are kept in check.
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The Preacher’s Final Exhortation
The preacher not only addresses the mind and emotions
but also the will - the doing, acting, deciding part of our
personalities. And to it he says, "Keep God's
commandments". His commandments are a safe secure
land. They provide a clearly defined boundary fence.
When we come to these boundaries whether to engage
in dishonesty, immorality or greed we find God's sign that
reads, "trespassers will be prosecuted". This sign is for
our benefit that we might discover less dangerous routes.
Young people often seek adventure which they believe
lies on the other side of the boundary fence. We don't
need to cross the forbidden boundary to seek adventure.
God has a great deal of legitimate, breath-taking, exciting
adventures on this side of the fence.
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The Preacher’s Final Exhortation
Listen to the psalmist, “the precepts of the Lord are
right giving joy to the heart...the ordinances of the
Lord are sure...they are more precious than gold,
they are sweeter than honey”. Ps 119
How few there are who take up the challenge.
We are told that Alexander the Great sat down
and wept when he reached India finding nothing
left to conquer.
But no one need weep in today’s world. There are
vast tracts still to be conquered for God. We don't
need to look beyond our own doorstep. There are
many challenges within your own community. We
don't need to break God's law to find excitement!
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Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our journey
through Ecclesiastes. The Preacher has led us
by a tortuous route that we might see that
God alone holds the answer to life's meaning
and that life in all its fullness can never be
experienced by keeping God at a distance.
For some it may be the end of a journey of
discovery but it can also be the beginning of
a life of adventure if we are prepared to
commit our lives to this God now and
evermore
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