The Sum of the Matter

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
"And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to hear, and searched forth, and prepared many parables. The Preacher sought to find out pleasant words, and an upright writing, even the words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies, which are given by one pastor. And of other things beside these, my son, take thou heed: for there is none end in making many books, and much reading is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the end of all: fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work unto judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil."

The Sum of the Matter
How do you find a meaningful life? We are reminded at this point of the whole purpose of the book of Ecclesiastes. After looking at both sides of the matter, now the Preacher is giving some ways to be able to live that meaningful life with God. We find traction in our duties from God because of the fact we are in the covenant. 

Goads were like cattle prods: directing and guiding them to the right path. Well-driven nails nails refers to tent pegs, stability. 

Fear God, keep His commandments. This is to sum it all up. If the Preacher was to direct it to one key focus point, it would be this. The idea of fearing God is out of reverence and respect and awe...intimate and tender. He is transcendent while I am a mere mortal. It is a constant embrace of the Creator/creature distinction. We can have this respectful fear of God instead of a cringing dread because of Christ's work. God is not a Judge to us any longer, He is now a loving Father. We were created to fear and obey. Fear of God eliminates the fear of all other things...including man. We are to revolved and center on God.

We are also to keep His commandments. This theme has been carried along since Deuteronomy and Exodus. There is a connection and relationship between fearing God and keeping His commands. You cannot have one but not the other. We walk in terms of His law not to curry favor or earn something, but we've already been given favor...now out of fear, reverence, gratitude, and love, we seek to glorify Him by the keeping of His law. 

This life has consequences...the last verse here speaks on it and reminds us that life does not end with the grave.

"By this fear the people of God are excited to, and confirmed in the way of their duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God and keep 'His commandments'. It is, the keeper of both tables, because the duties of both tables are influenced by it. It is this fear of God that makes us have a due respect to all His commands, and it is as powerful to confirm us in, as it is to excite us to our duties. Jeremiah 32:40: 'I will put My fear into their inwards, and they shall not depart from Me.' Look as he that sows does not regard the winds, but goes on in his labour whatever weather the face of heaven threatens; so he that fears God will be found in the way of his duty, let the aspect of the times be never so lowering and discouraging: and, truly, this is no small advantage, in the times of fright and distractions. Slavish fear sets a man upon the devil's ground, religious fear upon God's ground: And how vast an odds is there in the choice of our ground, when we are to endure a great fight of affliction!" -John Flavel