IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH
Many times, far too many times, people are elated when young people are involved in the church, exclaiming how much they love our Father God and Lord Jesus Christ because they are strumming a guitar or beating on a set of drums. Why should young people not serve our LORD, and why should it be any big surprise when they remember our Creator in the days of their youth? People are so impressed with this flesh, and it is not about these flesh bodies or any of humankind individually, however collectively.
Psalms 100:1 says, "[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands." This "Verse" proclaims that all lands praise our Father God with a joyful noise and there is no mention about whether you are old or young, rather all, inclusive of everyone that are a part of the whole earth; from North to South, and East to West. Therefore, young and old, male and female, should remember now thy "CREATOR." "Remember" is the Hebrew word "zakar (zä•kar'), a prime root meaning recall, call to mind, to mention, to record, to make a memorial, be mindful of, reminisce, mediate upon, consider; often with the added idea of care, to care for someone." I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Again, no mention of one’s age or gender.
We all remember the teaching of David and Goliath. David was a young man that showed his love for our LORD by doing precisely what this "Verse" declares; "making a joyful noise." David declared unto the giant Goliath in I Samuel 17:45 - 48 which says, "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts," "This day with the LORD deliver thee into mind hands; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." "And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands". Our Father God will use for His good pleasure and service whomsoever He will, young or old, to fulfil His Plan of Salvation. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." "O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! [Psalms 8:2, 9]."
Moreover, Josiah was eight years old when he reigned as king in Jerusalem. II Chronicles 34:3 says, "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father. "Seek" is the Hebrew word "darash (dä•rash'), meaning to practice, study, follow, seek with application, to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place); to go to with prayers, to implore aid; farther, the signification of “going to” is applied to that of inquiring, demanding; also, of caring for." consequently, to search after. James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."
Psalms 100:2 says, "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." There was another king of Jerusalem even younger than eight years old. II Kings11:21 says, "Seven years old [was] Jehoash when he began to reign." The Word of Father God further tell us that Jehoash did what was right in the sight of our LORD. Seven year old and eight year old kings of lands, serving our LORD with gladness, and making medley within their hearts with a joyful noise. There are choices to be made in life and whether you are old or young, our Father God bids us, one and all, to love thy LORD our God, obey His voice and cleave unto Him. "Cleave" is the Hebrew word "dabaq (dä•bak'), meaning to adhere, specially firmly, as if with glue, to be glued." Therefore, "to be attached to anyone, to be lovingly devoted; to follow hard." Deuteronomy 13:4 says, "Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear {love} him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Psalms 100:3 says, "Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture." We are all, young and old, male and female, created by Father God for His pleasure, meaning we are all to please Father in all matters of life. "Know" is the Hebrew word "yada` (yä•dah'), meaning learn to know, to know by experience, to be acquainted, which includes the action of commencing, and as completed." Our Father God is Jesus Incarnate, the Word of Almighty God, the "Alpha and Omega", the "First and the Last" and the "Beginning and the Ending." We all, young and old, male and female, should be acquainted with our Father God, from the "Book of Genesis through to the Book of Revelation."
Psalms 100:4 says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name." From the rising to the setting of the sun all of Father God’s creation should stand in awe of Him and worship, confess and commune with Him, daily. "Bless" is the Hebrew word "barak (bä•rak'), meaning to adore Father God, which is done with bended knees and a reverential mind." "Bless" also means to "pronounce someone happy" and our "Father God is made happy or pleased when we show reverence and love for Him, day by day."
Psalms 100:5 says, "For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations." To "all generations", from umbilical cord to umbilical cord. From one generation to the next, all of Father God’s creation, His people and the sheep of His pasture, can count on Father God’s truth. Truth is faithfulness. Jeremiah teaches in Lamentations 3:22 & 23, "[It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." "[They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness." Father God’s faithfulness, His truth is great, and His mercies and compassions are new everyday, and to all generations. We can have hope, young and old, whenever we recall this to mind. David teaches in Psalms 33:4, "For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth." "Truth and Faithfulness" are both the same Hebrew root word, "aman (ä•man'), meaning to prop, to stay, to support, to sustain. Specially, to support with the arm, to carry a child; one who carries and cares for a child; also, one who guards and brings up, nourishes. Hence, to be firm, unshaken, such as one may safely lean on; to confide on anyone, trust, to be secure, to bear in the arms." Moses teaches in Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them]."
"Remember now thy Creator, Father God, in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;" "Evil" is the Hebrew word "ra` (rah), meaning disagreeable, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery." The young become old, and life is not what it once was. Growing old means aches and pains, and many days are not as pleasure as we become elderly. That is why we all should reminisce, and mediate upon our Creator, our Father God while we are youthful, vibrant and vivacious. David teaches in Psalms 22:10 "I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly."
David’s "Psalm" should bring to remembrance that of Jacob and Esau and Moses’ teaching concerning them. Moses teaches in Genesis 25:22 "And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. " Genesis 25:26 saying, "And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them." The prophet Hosea explains what occurred between Jacob and Esau as Hosea 12:3 says, He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:" Therefore, even from the womb, every soul has the choice of following our Father God’s Spirit, or succumbing to the ways of the world. Christ Jesus said in John 3:5 & 6, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Ecclesiastes 12:2 says, "While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:" "Darkened" is the Hebrew word "chashak (khä•shak'), meaning grow dim, be hidden, conceal, confuse." As we grow elderly we may suffer confusion, namely dementia or Alzheimer’s, and may not be able to receive and meditate upon the Word of our Father God the way we can in the days of our youth. Almighty God’s Word instructs us in Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Ecclesiastes 12:3 says, "In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened," As we grow older our bones become brittle and deteriorate, and our backs may bend, signifying our elderly condition. Some older people’s hands shake and their teeth become fewer in number; all a part of growing older. Many elderly people enjoy looking out of their windows, howbeit their eyes grow dimmer and they cannot see as well as when they were younger. "Keepers" is the Hebrew word "shamar (shä•mar'), meaning specially to keep in mind and memory; to observe, to tend to anything." As we grow older our memories do not retain everything we have learned along our journey. Many older people will say, ‘I have forgotten more than some will ever learn’. "Keeper" also means "Shepherd" and we know we have a Shepherd, "Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior." Christ Jesus said in John 10:14, "I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine." "House" is the Hebrew word "bayith (bah'•yith), meaning figuratively, the human body." Paul teaches in II Corinthians 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Ecclesiastes 12:4 says, "And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;" As we grow older our teeth and our hearing are diminished. The doors or our lips remain closed so as not to expose our gums and missing teeth when out in public or in the streets. Very often the sound of chewing is the only echo in the ears of the elderly, silencing all other outside noises. Sleep is difficult for the elderly and hearing the little girls playing and singing becomes burdensome as well. We have all heard the expression, "the old gray mare just ain’t what it used to be." The Psalmist David teaches us from a prayer of Moses in Psalms 90:12. "So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom."
Ecclesiastes 12:5 says, "Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:" "Almond tree shall flourish" is referring to the whiteness of the hair as you become older. The elderly also are apprehensive of heights and fear falling, and many of the flesh desires subside or languish as you get on in years. Even the weight of something as small as a grasshopper seems hard to grasp with arthritic hands. "Long home" is the grave of the flesh body since from the dust each of us were taken, and to the dust our flesh bodies will return. Once we are through with these flesh bodies, we will never, ever have any use for them again. "The mourners" are the loved ones left behind in the flesh while the one returning to our LORD will be out of sight for a precious moment. Christ Jesus said in John 11:25 & 26, "Jesus said unto her,I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Ecclesiastes 12:6 says, "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern." This is the point at which the flesh body is separated from the spiritual or inner body. Paul teaches that the flesh body is corruptible, while the spirit is incorruptible, meaning the flesh body will die, however the spiritual body cannot unless Father God blots out the soul of the entity. Christ Jesus said in John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Genesis 2:7 says, " And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." "Soul" means "yourself." All people are an individual in of themselves, having their own DNA and fingerprints. "The breath of Life” is "the Spirit of Father God", who imparts life, wisdom and inspiration. James 2:26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Ecclesiastes 12:8 says, "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity." Our lives are empty without Father God. Many people do not realize that life is not really worth living without the One who loves us all so very much. We exist only in the flesh as a test of our faithfulness and commitment to our Father God. No matter what anyone accomplishes in the flesh, it means absolutely nothing without the expression of loyalty and love towards our LORD. John teaches in Revelation 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Revelation 19:8 says, "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Our works for our LORD, or righteous acts, are all that will accompany us into the kingdom of our Father God.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 says, "And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs." The preacher is Solomon, and our witness is the first "Chapter and Verse" of this great oracle of our Father God, which reads, Ecclesiastes 1:1 says, "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. " Solomon was David’s son and king in Jerusalem. The "Scriptures" teach us that Father God made Solomon the wisest of all kings before and after him. I Kings 3:12 says, "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."
Ecclesiastes 12:10 says, "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth." Our Father God’s written words are the only words of truth, and Solomon studied to show himself approved and acceptable before Father God. "Sought" is the Hebrew word "baqash (bä•kash'), and one of its meanings is to beg, to seek to anything, to seek from anyone, to interrogate." "Acceptable" is the Hebrew word "chephets (khā'•fets), meaning words of delight, pleasure, desire, longing." The "Scriptures" in Proverbs 16:23 & 24 says, "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips." "Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, "The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd." Christ Jesus is that One Shepherd, the only Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. Ezekiel teaches in Ezekiel 34:23, "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. A "goad", metaphorically, "is discipline, keeping the people, the sheep of Father God’s pasture, treading the right path and following after the One Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior." In Ezekiel’s teaching, "feed and shepherd" are both the same Hebrew word "ra`ah (rä•ä'), meaning figuratively, ruler, teacher; to be a special friend." Christ Jesus said in John 15:14, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh." There is only one "Book" that each of us should weary ourselves with studying, and that is the "Word of our Father God Almighty, the Holy Bible." Isaiah teaches in Isaiah 34:16, Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man." "The whole duty of man" means "to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent; including all components without exception." That is, to fear Father God and keep His Commandments. "Fear" is "yare' (yä•rā'), meaning to stand in awe of, honor, respect; admire God because He is wonderful; love." "Keep" is "shamar (shä•mar'), meaning a watchmen; specially to keep in mind and memory; to watch narrowly; to lie in wait for." "The conclusion of the matter", even all that hath been heard is to "Fear {love} and Keep {Father's Commandments}.". Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever."
Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil." Proverbs 20:11 teaches, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right." There is nothing hidden from the eyes of our LORD who created us, one and all, for His pleasure and delight." Psalms 94:9 says, "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?" Therefore, do not be deceived. Our Father God is not mocked since whatsoever each of us have sown, the same shall we also reap.
Lamentations 3:27 says, "[It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." "Yoke", figuratively speaks of "servitude; to drink again, and again, to drink deep, in order to quench thirst fully; to perform a work, to accomplish; to complete, to do a deed." Proverbs 7:1 - 4 says, "My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee." "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye." "Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." "Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:" "Son" is "ben (bān), meaning children (pl. – male and female), youth." Solomon says in I Kings 3:7, ”And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in." Solomon requested that our Father God give him an understanding heart to discern between good and evil. "Little" is "qatan (kä•tän’), meaning young, insignificant, unimportant." "Child" is "na`ar (nah’•ar), meaning youth, servant." "Discern" is "biyn (bene), meaning understand, consider, know (with the mind), to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently." "Discern" is exactly what Solomon proclaims when he admonished, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”
I Kings 3:10 says, "And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." Paul teaches in Romans 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the "Scriptures" might have hope."
Christ Jesus taught that the flesh profits us nothing. I Corinthians 15:50 says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" Our "Father God's Self is Spiritual" and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Our flesh can never have intimate contact with our Creator. Therefore, it matters very little to our Father God how old our flesh body is, because it is our spiritual, or inner man that communes with our Creator. Paul also teaches in I Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned." All of mankind are born into the flesh, however we must live according to the spiritual, or inner man. As Solomon teaches in Ecclesiastes - Chapter 12, we must diligently seek our Creator while we are young; before old age sets in, and living in the flesh is not as easy, pleasurable, nor profitable, to either our Father God or ourselves. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.”
Psalms 100:1 says, "[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands." This "Verse" proclaims that all lands praise our Father God with a joyful noise and there is no mention about whether you are old or young, rather all, inclusive of everyone that are a part of the whole earth; from North to South, and East to West. Therefore, young and old, male and female, should remember now thy "CREATOR." "Remember" is the Hebrew word "zakar (zä•kar'), a prime root meaning recall, call to mind, to mention, to record, to make a memorial, be mindful of, reminisce, mediate upon, consider; often with the added idea of care, to care for someone." I Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Again, no mention of one’s age or gender.
We all remember the teaching of David and Goliath. David was a young man that showed his love for our LORD by doing precisely what this "Verse" declares; "making a joyful noise." David declared unto the giant Goliath in I Samuel 17:45 - 48 which says, "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts," "This day with the LORD deliver thee into mind hands; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." "And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands". Our Father God will use for His good pleasure and service whomsoever He will, young or old, to fulfil His Plan of Salvation. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger." "O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! [Psalms 8:2, 9]."
Moreover, Josiah was eight years old when he reigned as king in Jerusalem. II Chronicles 34:3 says, "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father. "Seek" is the Hebrew word "darash (dä•rash'), meaning to practice, study, follow, seek with application, to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place); to go to with prayers, to implore aid; farther, the signification of “going to” is applied to that of inquiring, demanding; also, of caring for." consequently, to search after. James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."
Psalms 100:2 says, "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." There was another king of Jerusalem even younger than eight years old. II Kings11:21 says, "Seven years old [was] Jehoash when he began to reign." The Word of Father God further tell us that Jehoash did what was right in the sight of our LORD. Seven year old and eight year old kings of lands, serving our LORD with gladness, and making medley within their hearts with a joyful noise. There are choices to be made in life and whether you are old or young, our Father God bids us, one and all, to love thy LORD our God, obey His voice and cleave unto Him. "Cleave" is the Hebrew word "dabaq (dä•bak'), meaning to adhere, specially firmly, as if with glue, to be glued." Therefore, "to be attached to anyone, to be lovingly devoted; to follow hard." Deuteronomy 13:4 says, "Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear {love} him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Psalms 100:3 says, "Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture." We are all, young and old, male and female, created by Father God for His pleasure, meaning we are all to please Father in all matters of life. "Know" is the Hebrew word "yada` (yä•dah'), meaning learn to know, to know by experience, to be acquainted, which includes the action of commencing, and as completed." Our Father God is Jesus Incarnate, the Word of Almighty God, the "Alpha and Omega", the "First and the Last" and the "Beginning and the Ending." We all, young and old, male and female, should be acquainted with our Father God, from the "Book of Genesis through to the Book of Revelation."
Psalms 100:4 says, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name." From the rising to the setting of the sun all of Father God’s creation should stand in awe of Him and worship, confess and commune with Him, daily. "Bless" is the Hebrew word "barak (bä•rak'), meaning to adore Father God, which is done with bended knees and a reverential mind." "Bless" also means to "pronounce someone happy" and our "Father God is made happy or pleased when we show reverence and love for Him, day by day."
Psalms 100:5 says, "For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations." To "all generations", from umbilical cord to umbilical cord. From one generation to the next, all of Father God’s creation, His people and the sheep of His pasture, can count on Father God’s truth. Truth is faithfulness. Jeremiah teaches in Lamentations 3:22 & 23, "[It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." "[They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness." Father God’s faithfulness, His truth is great, and His mercies and compassions are new everyday, and to all generations. We can have hope, young and old, whenever we recall this to mind. David teaches in Psalms 33:4, "For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth." "Truth and Faithfulness" are both the same Hebrew root word, "aman (ä•man'), meaning to prop, to stay, to support, to sustain. Specially, to support with the arm, to carry a child; one who carries and cares for a child; also, one who guards and brings up, nourishes. Hence, to be firm, unshaken, such as one may safely lean on; to confide on anyone, trust, to be secure, to bear in the arms." Moses teaches in Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them]."
"Remember now thy Creator, Father God, in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;" "Evil" is the Hebrew word "ra` (rah), meaning disagreeable, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery." The young become old, and life is not what it once was. Growing old means aches and pains, and many days are not as pleasure as we become elderly. That is why we all should reminisce, and mediate upon our Creator, our Father God while we are youthful, vibrant and vivacious. David teaches in Psalms 22:10 "I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's belly."
David’s "Psalm" should bring to remembrance that of Jacob and Esau and Moses’ teaching concerning them. Moses teaches in Genesis 25:22 "And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. " Genesis 25:26 saying, "And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them." The prophet Hosea explains what occurred between Jacob and Esau as Hosea 12:3 says, He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:" Therefore, even from the womb, every soul has the choice of following our Father God’s Spirit, or succumbing to the ways of the world. Christ Jesus said in John 3:5 & 6, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Ecclesiastes 12:2 says, "While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:" "Darkened" is the Hebrew word "chashak (khä•shak'), meaning grow dim, be hidden, conceal, confuse." As we grow elderly we may suffer confusion, namely dementia or Alzheimer’s, and may not be able to receive and meditate upon the Word of our Father God the way we can in the days of our youth. Almighty God’s Word instructs us in Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Ecclesiastes 12:3 says, "In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened," As we grow older our bones become brittle and deteriorate, and our backs may bend, signifying our elderly condition. Some older people’s hands shake and their teeth become fewer in number; all a part of growing older. Many elderly people enjoy looking out of their windows, howbeit their eyes grow dimmer and they cannot see as well as when they were younger. "Keepers" is the Hebrew word "shamar (shä•mar'), meaning specially to keep in mind and memory; to observe, to tend to anything." As we grow older our memories do not retain everything we have learned along our journey. Many older people will say, ‘I have forgotten more than some will ever learn’. "Keeper" also means "Shepherd" and we know we have a Shepherd, "Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior." Christ Jesus said in John 10:14, "I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine." "House" is the Hebrew word "bayith (bah'•yith), meaning figuratively, the human body." Paul teaches in II Corinthians 5:1, "For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Ecclesiastes 12:4 says, "And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;" As we grow older our teeth and our hearing are diminished. The doors or our lips remain closed so as not to expose our gums and missing teeth when out in public or in the streets. Very often the sound of chewing is the only echo in the ears of the elderly, silencing all other outside noises. Sleep is difficult for the elderly and hearing the little girls playing and singing becomes burdensome as well. We have all heard the expression, "the old gray mare just ain’t what it used to be." The Psalmist David teaches us from a prayer of Moses in Psalms 90:12. "So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom."
Ecclesiastes 12:5 says, "Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:" "Almond tree shall flourish" is referring to the whiteness of the hair as you become older. The elderly also are apprehensive of heights and fear falling, and many of the flesh desires subside or languish as you get on in years. Even the weight of something as small as a grasshopper seems hard to grasp with arthritic hands. "Long home" is the grave of the flesh body since from the dust each of us were taken, and to the dust our flesh bodies will return. Once we are through with these flesh bodies, we will never, ever have any use for them again. "The mourners" are the loved ones left behind in the flesh while the one returning to our LORD will be out of sight for a precious moment. Christ Jesus said in John 11:25 & 26, "Jesus said unto her,I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Ecclesiastes 12:6 says, "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern." This is the point at which the flesh body is separated from the spiritual or inner body. Paul teaches that the flesh body is corruptible, while the spirit is incorruptible, meaning the flesh body will die, however the spiritual body cannot unless Father God blots out the soul of the entity. Christ Jesus said in John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Genesis 2:7 says, " And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." "Soul" means "yourself." All people are an individual in of themselves, having their own DNA and fingerprints. "The breath of Life” is "the Spirit of Father God", who imparts life, wisdom and inspiration. James 2:26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Ecclesiastes 12:8 says, "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity." Our lives are empty without Father God. Many people do not realize that life is not really worth living without the One who loves us all so very much. We exist only in the flesh as a test of our faithfulness and commitment to our Father God. No matter what anyone accomplishes in the flesh, it means absolutely nothing without the expression of loyalty and love towards our LORD. John teaches in Revelation 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Revelation 19:8 says, "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Our works for our LORD, or righteous acts, are all that will accompany us into the kingdom of our Father God.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 says, "And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs." The preacher is Solomon, and our witness is the first "Chapter and Verse" of this great oracle of our Father God, which reads, Ecclesiastes 1:1 says, "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. " Solomon was David’s son and king in Jerusalem. The "Scriptures" teach us that Father God made Solomon the wisest of all kings before and after him. I Kings 3:12 says, "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."
Ecclesiastes 12:10 says, "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth." Our Father God’s written words are the only words of truth, and Solomon studied to show himself approved and acceptable before Father God. "Sought" is the Hebrew word "baqash (bä•kash'), and one of its meanings is to beg, to seek to anything, to seek from anyone, to interrogate." "Acceptable" is the Hebrew word "chephets (khā'•fets), meaning words of delight, pleasure, desire, longing." The "Scriptures" in Proverbs 16:23 & 24 says, "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips." "Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, "The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd." Christ Jesus is that One Shepherd, the only Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. Ezekiel teaches in Ezekiel 34:23, "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. A "goad", metaphorically, "is discipline, keeping the people, the sheep of Father God’s pasture, treading the right path and following after the One Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior." In Ezekiel’s teaching, "feed and shepherd" are both the same Hebrew word "ra`ah (rä•ä'), meaning figuratively, ruler, teacher; to be a special friend." Christ Jesus said in John 15:14, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."
Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh." There is only one "Book" that each of us should weary ourselves with studying, and that is the "Word of our Father God Almighty, the Holy Bible." Isaiah teaches in Isaiah 34:16, Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man." "The whole duty of man" means "to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent; including all components without exception." That is, to fear Father God and keep His Commandments. "Fear" is "yare' (yä•rā'), meaning to stand in awe of, honor, respect; admire God because He is wonderful; love." "Keep" is "shamar (shä•mar'), meaning a watchmen; specially to keep in mind and memory; to watch narrowly; to lie in wait for." "The conclusion of the matter", even all that hath been heard is to "Fear {love} and Keep {Father's Commandments}.". Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever."
Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil." Proverbs 20:11 teaches, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right." There is nothing hidden from the eyes of our LORD who created us, one and all, for His pleasure and delight." Psalms 94:9 says, "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?" Therefore, do not be deceived. Our Father God is not mocked since whatsoever each of us have sown, the same shall we also reap.
Lamentations 3:27 says, "[It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." "Yoke", figuratively speaks of "servitude; to drink again, and again, to drink deep, in order to quench thirst fully; to perform a work, to accomplish; to complete, to do a deed." Proverbs 7:1 - 4 says, "My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee." "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye." "Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." "Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:" "Son" is "ben (bān), meaning children (pl. – male and female), youth." Solomon says in I Kings 3:7, ”And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in." Solomon requested that our Father God give him an understanding heart to discern between good and evil. "Little" is "qatan (kä•tän’), meaning young, insignificant, unimportant." "Child" is "na`ar (nah’•ar), meaning youth, servant." "Discern" is "biyn (bene), meaning understand, consider, know (with the mind), to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently." "Discern" is exactly what Solomon proclaims when he admonished, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”
I Kings 3:10 says, "And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." Paul teaches in Romans 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the "Scriptures" might have hope."
Christ Jesus taught that the flesh profits us nothing. I Corinthians 15:50 says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" Our "Father God's Self is Spiritual" and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Our flesh can never have intimate contact with our Creator. Therefore, it matters very little to our Father God how old our flesh body is, because it is our spiritual, or inner man that communes with our Creator. Paul also teaches in I Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned." All of mankind are born into the flesh, however we must live according to the spiritual, or inner man. As Solomon teaches in Ecclesiastes - Chapter 12, we must diligently seek our Creator while we are young; before old age sets in, and living in the flesh is not as easy, pleasurable, nor profitable, to either our Father God or ourselves. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.”
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