Youth is wasted on the youth because wisdom comes only with years.
King Solomon of Israel has lived a rich materialistic life. Spiritually, he began well and in a solemn, impressive public ceremony he promised God that he would stand for truth and justice. God gave him the highest IQ ever. (See 1 Kings 3 and 2 Chronicles 6 and 7). But apparently, he was also ruled by the fiercest passions, because he had a harem of 1,000 wives (See 1 Kings 11:3) and he raised high taxes to afford his luxurious lifestyle. (See 1 Kings 4:22, 23 and 1 Kings 12:4).
In Ecclesiastes 11 and 12, the elderly Solomon looks back and takes stock. His metaphor of life presents a universal and timeless lesson.
In his personal memoir, he notes that life has passed too quickly. He realizes that he has squandered a lot of opportunities, missed a lot of chances, and that he would do it differently if he could do it again. But in life there are no second chances. ...
Isn't that what we all want when we look back? Isn't this the conclusion we all draw? Perhaps some of us have taken advantage of all our opportunities, but by the time we have passed 40, we draw the same conclusion every year: life passes (us by) like a sigh.
Independent Standard
For spiritually minded people, there is an ongoing struggle between the things we know, the things we want and outward temptations. Even the wise Solomon, who saw every intrigue coming from miles away, always sharp, and witty, had to acknowledge his master in the depths of his inner man. He shares his failures and teaches us that whatever one's intellectual qualities and no matter how faithfully one has served God in the past, he can never fully trust in his own wisdom and integrity. The standard by which true qualities and spirituality are measured is beyond us.
When the Designer of that ultimate, independent standard makes the books, everyone will be confronted with every transaction he has entered in life, every act, every hidden intrigue, and every ruse he alone knows. They will be played as a video in his memory, but then the right motives will also be given. Then everyone will only be able to agree: Yes, it is. Amen.
Solomon realizes this very well, because he is the master analytic of motives and knows: "The heart is deceitful above all things, …who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).
In other words, we can't even fathom our own motives, let alone others'; we reason a lot away in our lives to elevate ourselves and justify our actions; and in our vision we make an invaluable contribution to the affairs of men and establish monuments for ourselves for the next generations to remember us by.
Memento Mori
In Solomon's words, we hear a sober undertone of Memento Mori. Most times translated with: 'Remember you will die', but more appropriate: Remind yourself of mortality. Solomon says: Every man eventually goes to the same destination and there everyone awaits an assessment based on the same standard. Like it or not, there is One who judges everyone's life and knows everyone's deepest secrets. Before His judgement seat everyone eventually will appear.
Metaphor of Life
In Ecclesiastes 11:7 to 12:14, Solomon in poetic language makes an urgent appeal to his readers, young and old, not to make the same mistakes he made, and he teaches that God sees and will judge everything, including our secret affairs other people do not see.
Most of the time, these last two admonitions fall on deaf ears - especially when you are young. Every young think that youth will never pass, that immortality is intrinsically part of youth. We live that wonderful illusion until about our 40th birthday. Then we begin to see that other things are more important in life. This didactic poem is about moral choices: how do you stand in life when you know this in advance. Solomon gives advise based on his own experience and urges everyone to take it to heart. He knows!
Flashbacks: Ecc 11:7 – 12:7
7. It is wonderful to enjoy the Spring and Summer of life. Life smiles at you and everything goes according to plan.
8. Be happy if you have a long life ahead of you but realize that the dark Fall and Winter days will also come. And with the coming years, you will less able to do what you want.
9. Therefore, be happy, young man, now in your youth, and always let your heart be carefree and cheerful. Yes, do what your heart desires and discover new things, but realize one thing: God will hold you accountable for everything.
10. Live in the present and make sure you do not grieve or get sick, because your childhood years are a golden age!
1. But also make time and space for your Creator, especially when you are young. Before the tough years come, when you will say, I do not like it.
2. Because there comes a time when the warmth of the sun no longer warms your bones and the stars, and the moon are not special anymore. When it looks like there will not be any more sunshine after rain.
3. When you become weak and trembling. When you cannot do much anymore because your body does not want to. When your circle of friends is getting smaller and you look out from behind the geraniums with cloudy eyes.
4. When you become isolated because you are getting deaf. And you startle at the sounds of a bird and the music fades.
5. When you do not dare leave the house anymore, because you are afraid to fall on the street because your steps are insecure. When the seasons pass you by unnoticed and the doctor's medicine no longer helps. And you end up going to your longstay home, and those who are left behind mourn their loss.
6. Think of your Creator, make time for Him, before your life is over, the light goes out in you, your breath is held, and your voice is no longer heard.
7. Before your body returns to dust as it was and your breath of life returns to God, who gave it to you at birth.
Admonitions: Ecc 12:8-14
8. Life is so fleeting! Everything passes so fast!
9. Because I have been wise, I taught the people wise things; and considered and researched and drew up many spells.
10. I always searched for good words to be found in beautiful poems, and reliable words,
11. Because the words of wise men can excite as nails when they are artfully fastened by the master, brought together, and pronounced with care.
12. Besides, my son, be admonished, there is no end to making a lot of books, and a lot of study is debilitating for the body.
13. Finally, let all hear where this all comes down to, have respect for God and keep His commandments, for this applies to all people.
14. For God will bring every act into judgment, and reveal every secret thing, either good or evil.
(according to Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14; Ingrid Wijngaarde, 29-06-2020)
Ingrid Wijngaarde is a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee in Netherlands Union of Churches Conference. She is a member of Groningen SDA Church, and a senior policy advisor for the Dutch government.