Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
Remembering Your Creator
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
Remember your Creator before the storm gathers.
Remember your Creator before the mill shuts down.
Remember your Creator before the equipment fails.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Stay young for your Creator!
QUESTIONS
In the previous lesson, we listed three things that believes should remember while living joyous lives before God. Here in verse 1 of chapter 12, Solomon teaches us something else that we should remember. What is it? Give two reasons why this is important to remember.
In verses 1-7, Solomon uses three vivid figures or pictures to describe the coming of old age. Describe the first one (v 2) and give a brief explanation of its meaning.
Describe the second vivid figure Solomon uses (v 3) and give its meaning.
Describe the third vivid figure Solomon uses (v 6) and give its meaning.
ANSWERS
While living our lives joyously, we must remember our Creator in the days of our youth. This does not just mean to recall some facts about Him, but to remember to obey and serve Him! One reason that this is important is that it serves as a safeguard against practicing joyous living to the wrong extreme, such as over indulgence. Another reason for remembering our Creator is the fact that life is short and if we fail to remember God in our youth, perhaps He would not be remembered until it is too late to serve Him.
The first picture or illustration Solomon uses to describe the coming of old age is the gathering storm (v 2). Here, life is likened to light and death likened to darkness. The light of life is short and the darkness of death is always near. As a person gets older, the recurring clouds return with increasing frequency, picturing the weakening abilities and strength characteristic of the later years.
The second illustration Solomon uses to describe the coming of old age is the breaking down of the old house or mill (v 3-4). As in old age, the work becomes slowed, backs of the workers become bowed, the eyes are dimmed and straining muscles tremble.
The third picture used by Solomon is the loosened cord, the broken bowl, the shattered pitcher, or the broken pulley (v 6). Here, aging bodies are pictured as pieces of equipment breaking and failing, no longer able to be used as productive implements or vessels. Even the desire of the aged dims (v 5), and progress is slowed to the speed of a grasshopper (v 5).
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
Discuss the possible reasons that Solomon used the description of God as Creator in this chapter. Consider the connection of God as creator in this chapter of Ecclesiastes with the controversial discussions among believers and unbelievers regarding creation and evolution going on today. Discuss God’s particular acts during the creation week and how they relate to the importance of believers’ remembrance of God as Creator.
CHALLENGE
Have you thought about the number of years of life you have left to serve the Lord? Has the illness of a friend or the death of a loved one reminded you that your life may be shortened? Whether you are still in your youth or in middle age or even in the later years of your life, commit your life to the Lord now, and allow Him to use it effectively and fruitfully. Don’t let your body and your life become weak and unusable. Stay young for your Creator!
KEY VERSES
“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:6-7