Fear

 Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 


Here is the take of the wisest man ever. His verdict on the meaning of life is that it is to fear God and keep his commandments. This might not seem to fit in a book that says that 'everything is meaningless'.

Some scholars have even speculated that this verse is a more 'acceptable' appendix added later by others. I beg to differ. Solomon has been emphasising the meaninglessness of life without God; now he emphasises the meaning of life is God.

We tend to assume fear is a bad thing. Crippling terror is. Yet the child afraid to displease their loving father is a good thing.

Fear should drive us to God in faith, not from him in terror. Like a child seeking to please their dad, we should seek to obey him. We shouldn't be like spoilt children.

'God, may we fear you as we ought, and obey you as you deserve. For your honour we pray, amen'.


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