Longing For Eternity: Conclusion (Ecclesiastes 11:7 - 12)

In this final section of the Ecclesiastes study, we read a series of advice from the preacher to the young people he was writing to and the conclusion of the book. For us this is also the conclusion of this series, “Longing for Eternity”; this advice will serve to summarize what we have learned and how we will apply it from now on.

Rejoice, Follow, and Know (Ecclesiastes 11:9)

Life is a gift from God, which we should enjoy and not only enjoy, but it should produce pleasure in us; it should fill us with joy. But we know that not all events in life or actions we can take will produce pleasant results in the long term.

Therefore, he reminds us that at the end of life we will be judged for what we have done. The foolish will be judged in their folly and the wise in their wisdom. That is why he reminded us many times that we must live wisely, fearing God and growing in holiness.

By living this way, we guard ourselves from the deceptions of our heart. While seeking to be more like Christ, we can trust more in following our heart, since we have disposed our heart to love God and treasure His will. (Jeremiah 17:9; 31:33; 32:38-40)

With the correct knowledge of God as sovereign and eternal, we will be able to rejoice in everything that happens in our lives, even when the providence that touches us is sweet or bitter. For the Lord gives us more than joy, happiness, and peace.

Remove and Take Away (Ecclesiastes 11:10)

The next piece of advice is that we remove sorrow or sadness from our hearts. The closer we get to God, the more we remember that life under the sun is temporary; the more we will embrace the joy He gives us. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

A joy that does not depend on circumstances or possessions, but on the work of redemption we have already received in Christ. On the grace that has been shown to us without deserving it, and for the freedom to now be able to live for His glory.

Take away suffering does not refer to not feeling pain in our body from natural causes. Rather, it refers to those actions and activities that displease God. Think of the temptations and desires we can yield to, which bring evil or suffering to our souls.

This is what the preacher experienced: yielding to all the evil desires of his heart, bringing spiritual suffering in the midst of physical prosperity. Once again, a call to live in holiness for our God.

Remember the Creator (12:1, 6)

The preacher’s final exhortation is remember the Creator, remember God, before your body begins to show signs that its days are about to end. The beautiful illustrations in this chapter refer to the bodily evidences of aging.

This does not mean that those advanced in age cannot approach the Lord for the first time and receive salvation. We must remember that the preacher himself is at this age closer to death, and that is why he began his reflection.

His advice is to young people not to waste their strength chasing after the wind, but to live for God’s glory in everything they do, because eternity is real and near.

Regardless of age, we will all come before God, and he desires that those who remain after him make good use of their life under the sun, longing for what is to come.

That advice is for you and for me, regardless of our age. Before our strength and abilities continue to wear down, let us remember who God is and respond correctly by living for His glory.

Be Prepared (12:7)

Just as he reminded us in chapter 3, death is inevitable and is part of life. He reminds us again that every second that passes, our time in one sense is shortened, and we will present ourselves before God, our creator.

But don’t think we will end this study on a sad note because we end talking about death, about when our time ends; because as we learned in chapter 3, God is outside of time; He is eternal.

He is reminding us that eternity is coming. That if we live our lives in the fear of the Lord, it is the moment when all vanity, all illusion, all pain, and all anxiety will cease, and we will have true life.

Peter said it this way in his second letter:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (CSB)

He is reminding us that we were created for eternity, and that if we have put our faith in the Savior, that eternity will be one full of peace and joy. He is reminding us of what he knew as a promise, and today we call the Gospel.

Paul reminded Timothy this way:

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This has now been made manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9-10 (CSB)