The Teacher reflects on his waning years, offering some advice to young people. He tells them to rejoice in their youth while it lasts. He also advises them to follow their heart. This is questionable advice in light of Jeremiah 17:9, and similar texts, which point out the deceitfulness of hearts, which are often not worthy of following. But in verse 9, the Teacher reminds them that God will bring them into judgment. Ecclesiastes 12:1 clearly advises: “Remember your Creator.” Keeping God in mind is a good check for hearts that are not regularly trustworthy.

Remember your Creator as soon as you can.

Life is passing by quickly. Chapter 12 contains a section that is best understood allegorically. The Teacher describes a household that is crumbling and failing. The various parts and inhabitants represent our failing body parts as is common to old age.

The Apostle Paul refers to our bodies as “tents,” which are temporary (2 Cor. 5:1). However, the Resurrection of Jesus tells us that what goes back into dust in weakness is later raised in glory and power (1 Corinthians 15:43). Because of what Jesus has accomplished for us through his death and resurrection, we have hope that takes the sting out of death. It no longer has the final word. The weakness of aging is temporary. For those who trust in Jesus, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison” (2 Cor.4:17).

Taking It Home: To the young, receive your youthfulness as a gift from God and enjoy it but know it’s fleeting. To the old, see the decline of your health as a way of detaching from this world in preparation for what is to come. To both groups, remember God daily.