Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, “ This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (American Standard Version)

The Book of Ecclesiastes answers the question, “what profit has a person from all their labor and work in life?”  Another way of looking at this mindset is by asking the question, “Just what is the purpose of life?”.  This answer to the meaning of life is to #1: “fear God” & #2: obey “His commandments”.

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Chapter one). So what will we do to find fulfillment in life?  The first thing we aught to do is “fear God”.  This phrase “fear God” is a phrase that is found over 45 times in the Bible.  1st John 4:18 implies that “perfect love cast’s out fear”.  Thus “fear” in the Biblical sense entails respect and reverance, because there is an element of possibile ominous outcome to the fear mentioned in 1st John 4:18.  Thus “love” casts out terror.  But it does not cast out “fear and respect”.  We all need to fear God in the sense that we all respect God.  The Ecclesiastes writer is correct in confirming that this is an obligation and a purpose in life for every human creature of God’s grand creation.

But along with respecting God, we also need to obey or “keep” , His commandments.  Psalm 110:4-8 says, “ 4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments. 8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.” (American Standard Version).

Thus those individuals who are good and understanding the importance of keeping the commands of God are the ones who are highly regarded by God.

The Ecclesiastes writer says these two elements:#1 respect & #2: obedience, are humankind’s “all” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  Is it really that simple?  When one thinks about it, those commands are very challenging to consistantly maintain.

Psalm 119:7-8 says that, “the commandments are pure enlightning the eyes”.  We must be aware that the pursuit of respect and obedience is to be a daily process.

Why?  Because the Ecclesiastes writer says: “God will bring every work into judgement... whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Let’s implement respect & Obedience towards our God.

By: J.R. Rosado