For the rationale for this blog see earlier blogs. We will pick up at 12:3 this week. Verse 12:2 is an excellent transition to the aging process of the human body and the experience of old age. The viewing of the environment may be in view here in verse 2.
"when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;" (Ecc 12:3 NIV) The keepers refer to the self the human beings who inhabit their bodies. The house refers to the human body. strong men stooping refer to the effects of old age. grinders refers to the teeth and the lose of them because of old age and long use. "looking through the windows" refer to the lose of clarity of eye sight.
"when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;" (Ecc 12:4 NIV) The doors to the street closing refers to the loss of social interaction of the aging and the reclusiveness that sets in. the metaphor of the fading of the grinding refers to the societal interaction of the making of food. The rising at the sound of birds refers to the loss of the ability to sleep deeply. The fact the songs grow faint refers to the loss of hearing.
The author continues on. "when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets." (Ecc 12:5 NIV) He talks about being afraid of heights and dangers in the streets, things that may not have ordinarily stirred fear in younger years. The blossoming of the Almond tree refers to the turning of the hair white and the metaphor of the grasshopper refers to the crippling of limbs in old age. Desire being stirred is a euphemism for sexual desire. Solomon states plainly of what he is speaking here that "man goes to his eternal home."
Solomon's point he is well taken here: "Remember him--before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well," (Ecc 12:6 NIV) The author tells the reader to remember the living before he dies. He uses a series of metaphors to speak of death. the severing of the silver cord, the breaking of the golden bowl, the shattering of the pitcher, the breaking of the wheel, one having to do with holding things together, one having to do with holding things inside, one has to do with the value of the vessel itself, the wheel refers to activity.
"and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." (Ecc 12:7 NIV) This refers to the Genesis account of the forming of Adam from the dust of the earth. Then he breathed into him the breathe of life.
""Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"" (Ecc 12:8 NIV) The author ends this section with the lament of meaninglessness. the meaningless life ends in a meaningless death. This verse serves as a transition between this last section and the epilogue of the book.
What does this have to teach those of us who struggle with addiction and compulsivity? First of all those we do appreciate we need to tell as soon as possible. life is short. the struggle is long. the focus is inward. Ecclesiastes has taught us that if not anything else.
Secondly, amends made to living people will always work out better than an attempt to make them to those who have passed to the dust and the spirit to the God who gave it. Keep short account with those we are in relationship. Lets keep our resentments list short and make amends quickly. I had one that had to be done this week and when presented with the opportunity I got it done. I breathed a sigh of relief and slept well that night.
Thirdly, let us resolve to be ready to have that silver thread broken knowing that there is not another amends left to be made or another resent left to be resolved. life is to short to hold onto the poison of anger and resentment only to have it kill us more quickly.
Our time is up for today so until next time keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
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