The End of the Matter
As the chaplain of a retirement community and pastor of a small church of predominantly senior saints, Ecclesiastes chapter 12 is my daily experience. As the final chapter of a proverbial book of collected wisdom, there is a sense of conclusion in the text. Qohelet has brought us to the end of the matter. The end of life in this world of futility is death. Thus, there is great wisdom in beginning with the end in mind.
In our community of residents between the ages of 65 and 102, we often talk about quality of life. Qohelet warns his readers that quality of life diminishes, and the bliss of living dissipates. Evil days are days when tremors cause one to drop donuts that can barely be consumed for lack of teeth. The walker is meant to help one from falling, but it accentuates the truth that osteoporosis is progressing. One could see that fact if his eyesight were not failing. Qohelet would preach more but who has ears that can actually hear (12:2–5)?
The exhortation to the young is to live life while you actually can do it and even enjoy it (12:1). The Christian is encouraged to redeem the time because the days are evil. We need not question where the Apostle Paul received his impetus. Simply put, death is coming very quickly. One’s life is but a vapor (Jas 4:14). Man has a date with eternity and only God knows the number of one’s days.
Human beings, body and soul, are magnificent creations at the hand of the Creator of all things; but we are fragile, with so many moving parts just waiting to fail (12:6). In the beginning, God declared that man is mere dust, destined to return to the dust (Gen 3:19; Eccl 12:7). The human body has a limited life; while the soul has an eternal home according to Qohelet (12:5, 7). Correlating passages teach us that there is a resurrection of the body unto imperishability (Jn 5:29; 1 Cor 15).
With this further musing, the Preacher must utter his main proposition — all is vanity (12:8). Despite his crescendo to a conclusion, the meaninglessness of our worldly existence must be remembered alongside the fact that the Day of Judgment is also coming. It is appointed for men to die, once, and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27).
The resurrection of the body to judgment is the end of the matter for the reprobate. Truly, life was enigma for those who missed Jesus Christ as the meaning of life. To die in one’s trespasses and sins is a ticket to a Christ-less eternity in the lake of fire as one’s eternal punishment (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). Dead and forgotten, the mourners move on to other matters.
Knowledge of these matters is invaluable; but one must act on the wisdom of God imparted by the Word of God. Qohelet identifies God as Creator; but God is also referenced as Shepherd. The imagery is rich and picked up by our Lord Jesus in John 10. The implication is that humanity is utterly helpless, and only the Guardian of our souls can deliver us from chasing after the wind and coming up empty handed (with arthritis!).
Finally, the preacher warns that the wisdom of men, recorded in the endless publication of words will not do anything other than expedite the body’s decline. The wisdom of men is foolishness to God, and it should be foolishness to God’s people. Men are always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. They are unaware that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Fearing God and keeping His commandments is the wisdom of God for those who believe His revelation of Himself in His Word. God is true (Rom 3:4); and His Word is truth (Jn 14:6). It is the truth of God that sets the captives to futility free. God’s people are free indeed (Jn 8:32–35). With the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), appropriated from the Holy Bible, our eyes are fixed on Him who is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1 Cor 1:24; Heb 12:2). With Christ seated in the heavenlies, it behooves us to set our minds on the things above (Col 3:2).
Qohelet set out to experience the world. He labored in the experience as much as humanly possible. God imparted wealth and wisdom to Solomon that he might have access to real estate; material possessions; unlimited sex; power to control people; an endless buffet of good food; access to books and the learning of men; etc. In addition, the Preacher observed humanity in all of its ways. Just as God’s assessment of humankind is not favorable, Qohelet stood unimpressed at the end of the matter.
If there are only two distinct groups of people in this world, and each person being composed of two distinct parts (body and soul), then, the wise man denies himself of excess pursuits and pleasure for the body because the fade is fast and there is nothing that profits the man who gains the whole world but loses his own soul. The world promises much but delivers nothing eternal.
Jesus Christ remains our only hope. He has shown us the way to meaning and significance by being the way, the truth, and the life that must be new, surely is abundant, and remains forever…eternal. He Himself is our eternal home. In conclusion, Ecclesiastes is a book of utter depression for those who love this world and the things of this world. It is a book of delightful words for those who see the world through the words of truth found in Ecclesiastes and the rest of holy writ.
My dear reader, examine yourself as you examine the book of Ecclesiastes. Here is your test of heart. Does Ecclesiastes grieve you or does it delight you? If you fail the test amidst depression over revealed reality, then repent and ask God to make the things of this world grow strangely dim. They will do so when you get a glimpse of heaven and our God who resides there and who has prepared a place for those who want the world to come more than this one.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 6, 2025
Ecclesiastes 12:1–14
