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Ecclesiates 12 continues

Solomon had not failed to believe in life after death - Ecclesiastes 12:7 shows that -
but he shows vividly that man's "naturalness" despises death and oftentimes thinks of
it with myopic vision. The expressions "all is vanity," "vanity of vanities," "vanity and

vexation of spirit" occur repeatedly throughout this short (12 chapter) book. If not
mistaken, this book has 33 occurrences of expressions with the word "vanity" con-
tained in it. That is quite a hefty percentage of this book considering its size, but that

is the ultimate conclusion of the "under the sun" perspective. However, as the 11th
chapter winds down and the 12th opens, we see a major up look in Solomon.

In the first 11 chapters Solomon repeats a theme that revolves around death. Death
comes to all. Whether just or unjust, young or old, rich or poor, or any other contrast

we could find, death comes to everyone. Solomon even gets to the point of saying that
the strongest do not always win a battle nor do the swift always win a race.
(Ecclesiastes 9:11) Death can come prematurely (from a natural perspective) much

like fish caught in a net. (Ecclesiastes 9:12) These thoughts build on like thoughts and
principles from chapters 5-8. After such a woeful discussion about the certainty of
death, the premature nature of it at times, the cutting down of man's natural might and
speed, what is natural man's answer? If these things are going to come and sometimes
come faster than we think, what do we do?

"Under the sun" thinking says, "Well, then do it while you're young. Enjoy it while
you can." Solomon visits this thought at the close of chapter 11. The last two verses of

the chapter describe the vanity of taking pleasure in youth while it is available. Rather,
the youth should put away evil, heartache, and sorrow. The worst possible thing a
youth can do is enjoy it while it lasts, for his condition when older will be the sad state
of many today that bemoan their lack of spirituality when younger in years; or worse,
by watching others enjoy what they did not.

continues