Bible with Brandi Week 26 – Ecclesiastes Ch. 9-10 (Copy)
“As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
As we come to the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon continues to wrestle with life “under the sun.” He encourages generosity, diligence, and even diverse investments, recognizing that none of us knows what tomorrow holds. We plan, we sow, we work, but ultimately God is the One directing every final outcome. There is a beautiful humility in admitting that there are simply things only God knows.
The comparison in Ecclesiastes 11:5 is striking. We cannot explain the mystery of life forming in the womb or fully understand the movement of the wind, yet both happen by God’s design every single day. In the same way, we often cannot see what God is doing behind the scenes. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His work is often hidden until the right time.
As Solomon closes his book, his tone shifts from observation to exhortation. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth...” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) He looks back over his own life and urges the next generation not to wait until old age to seek God. Solomon had wealth, influence, wisdom, pleasure, accomplishments, and power beyond what most people could imagine. Yet after pursuing every earthly and pagan desire, Solomon could still not satisfy his longings apart from the Lord. So he reminds even his own soul, “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed...” (Ecclesiastes 12:6)
One thing that stood out to me as I studied these chapters is that even after all of Solomon’s compromise, the gift of wisdom God had given him was still there—almost like it had been stored away in the attic of a heart that had become cluttered with idols. His pagan pursuits clouded his thinking for much of his latter years, but the wisdom of God had never completely disappeared.
Then Solomon’s scribe steps in to summarize the entire book. “The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11) I love this verse! Long before Jesus walked the earth, there is another beautiful glimpse of the coming Messiah—the one Shepherd. Throughout the Old Testament, God continually pointed His people toward the Good Shepherd who would one day gather, lead, protect, and lay down His life for His sheep. What a beautiful reminder that even in a book wrestling with the emptiness of life apart from God, our eyes are ultimately directed toward Christ.
Finally, we arrive at Solomon's conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Many people become uncomfortable when they read about God’s judgment, but Scripture teaches us there is an important distinction between believers and unbelievers. For those who have trusted in Christ, our sins have already been judged at the cross. Jesus took the punishment we deserved. His blood has cleansed us, and one day His Bride will stand before Him spotless and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
That does not mean our lives are without accountability. Believers will stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Not to determine salvation, but to give an account for how we lived with what He entrusted to us (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). We will be rewarded for our faithfulness, our obedience, and the ways we partnered with God to advance His Kingdom. Every act of love, every quiet obedience, every sacrifice made for His glory matters.
Ecclesiastes ends where true wisdom always begins. Not with human achievement, but with reverence for God. After twelve chapters of searching, questioning, observing, and wrestling, Solomon arrives at the only conclusion that truly satisfies: fear God, obey Him, and trust Him. Everything else is temporary. He alone
Reflective Questions:
1. Solomon reminds us that we cannot fully understand the work of God. Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing or His unseen work?
2. If you knew that every act of obedience mattered for eternity, how would it change the way you approach your work, relationships, and everyday responsibilities this week?
3. After studying Ecclesiastes, how would you answer Solomon's final question? What does it practically look like for you to fear God, obey His Word, and trust Him in this season of life?
4. Solomon spent his life searching for meaning in success, pleasure, wealth, and accomplishments. Where are you most tempted to look for fulfillment outside of Christ?
