Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14

Bringing the sermon home:

Seven times in the book, the Preacher commends or commands us to enjoy life. Why do we need to be told this? Because it’s easy to let the brokenness of this world hinder our enjoyment of any good things that come. The wise delight in the beautiful, despite the brokenness.

Some of us feel we’re further down the unpleasant path described in the poem about old age than others, but none of us have yet reached the end of that path. It’s coming for each one of us at a rate of 60 minutes per hour, and none of us know how many minutes remain, but the fact that the end hasn’t yet come means there are minutes left to live, and thus work to be done and good gifts to be enjoyed. So don’t delay: live today.

One of the key connections between judgment and joy in the book is that the “one Shepherd” goads us with the warnings of coming judgment because He takes pleasure in our pleasure, and our greatest pleasure only comes when we are walking in faith and fellowship with Him. Moreover, the reality of coming judgment shows us that everything matters in the end, or else we would not be judged. When we feel like our vapor-like lives are inconsequential, God’s judgment tells us otherwise.

Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. (Hosea 6:1)

(See follow-up article here.)