God is goading us into fear - Ecclesiastes 11-12

When reading the book of Ecclesiastes we can get lost in some of the things Solomon says, and even does.  He seems to have a fatalistic view of life and seems to have little regard, at times, for moral behavior.   Ecclesiastes is one book you should start at the end before you read the beginning.   Note the ending of the book, which puts some of those "questionable" discussions and comments early in the book into context:

 Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well- driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.  But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Solomon is our "test case dumpy" for life's experiences.  He is saying to us, "I have tried life and found it vanity. The only thing that really remains is to 'fear the Lord' and be warned that judgement is coming for the good and the evil."   We all want to learn and experience and devour.  It is in our nature.   But, God has given us a great and marvelous truth: Fear The Lord and all else is easy.   I love the first part of the above verses (v. 11).   "The words of the wise are like goads."   No one likes to be "goaded."   We often have our enemies goad us into arguments.  We might have our friends goad us into doing evil.   God's Word (Wisdom) is here to goad us.   It is to prod us along to live for God and to encourage us, warn us, shape us and teach us how to be holy for Him.   Life's experiences can be a great teacher of life.  Solomon teaches us that truth in this wonderful book.   But, God has a better way than to learn through experience.  Trust the wisdom of His Words and believe in them.