Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”. – Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV).
It is worthy of note that this conclusion and wise counsel is coming from a great man who have seen and experienced life of fame, pleasure, political power and wealth. King Solomon has seen all that young and old crave for and has seen the meaningless, emptiness and vanity of all life’s pursuit outside God and his kingdom purpose. He has experienced God’s favour and blessings; he has enjoyed the throne, riches, pleasure, respect and fame. It is not the conclusion of a man who has not seen life. Most people have reached a conclusion based on their short experiences and little knowledge. How wrong to draw conclusion when one has not seen anything yet. There is most likely no amount of wealth, fame or pleasure that any man alive or dead has experienced that compares to what King Solomon experienced. Likely, no knowledge can be compared to his wealth of knowledge and wisdom except that imparted by Christ, the wisdom of God, that only comes by the fear of God and obedience to God.
It will be foolishness then to ignore such powerful counsel from such a man who has seen and experienced the extreme or zenith of this side of life from human perspective.
Unfortunately, this warning and counsel has not been given serious thought by so many people. Every other duty is but shadow chasing and mere illusion. “This is the whole duty of man”. Failing to fear God and to keep his commandments is failing in one’s ultimate duty. If one fulfills all other duties but fail in this all important duty, one has failed woefully. To fear God is to hate evil. To fear God is to obey his words, to respect and honour him. To fear God is to be committed to him. Nothing else apart from this makes sense.
PRAYER: May I not fail in this all important duty in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu