OT: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Old Testament Reading

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; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 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, 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; 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: 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. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Old Testament Commentary

Children! …remember your Creator while you are young!  While you are young and your body strong, revere the good Lord who daily feeds and clothes you from His bountiful love! Praise Him from your youthful heart, in gratitude and song, before the evil days come, when you are old and feeble, weak and failing! “In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble”, namely the hands and legs tremble because of age, when “the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened.” Old age brings loss of teeth, and the gradual loosing of sight.  When we are old, “the daughters of music shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way.” The elderly experience loss of hearing and fear of heights and falling.  “Desire shall fail.” There is little pleasure in much anything, because there is little vigor and strength of body.  “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”  These verses teach us the brevity of life and the hardships of old age, so we should rejoice in the Lord while we are young. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”