Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 (NRSV)

Besides being wise, the Teacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find pleasing words, and he wrote words of truth plainly.

The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by one shepherd. Of anything beyond these, my child, beware. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Two things as we close Ecclesiastes...

First, and perhaps this is a minor thing, but look who is talking now? Or rather who is not. Suddenly the teacher is being talked about in closing, rather than being the speaker. The teacher we are told is wise and spoke the truth. So, here - and in other places apparently - there was much to be learned from him.

And then a bit about what wisdom does.  It is like a goad.

According to the dictionary, a goad is something that stimulates or annoys to provoke an action or reaction. It badgers us. Hounds us. 

Incites.

Prods.

And makes us grow. 

Change.

Learn.

Branch out.

So what goads you?

What goad has stimulated your faith?

If, as the teacher tells us, everything is vapor, what is it that keeps you going?

What do you think about the idea that God annoys us to move us to action?

So what goads you?

So as Ecclesiastes ends we are left perhaps still to wonder what the meaning of life is. We are to wonder how God will goad us and what wisdom will shape and mold us.

And who we will be in the end when all is said and done.

As I said, maybe we are left with more questions than answers. And those questions are goads set to move us along.

Meaningless?

I don't think so!

Lord, you make meaning out of meaninglessness. Open my eyes and heart to see it and move along with it in this wonderful state of becoming! Amen