Ecclesiastes 12

WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

This books end with this magnificent conclusion.

Ecc 12:10    The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written wasupright, even words of truth.

Ecc 12:11    The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Ecc 12:12    And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Ecc 12:13    Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecc 12:14    For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it begood, or whether it be evil.

Old John Gill writes...

fear God, and keep his commandments: "the fear of God" includes the whole of internal religion, or powerful godliness; all the graces of the Spirit, and the exercise of them; reverence of God, love to him, faith in him, and in his Son Jesus Christ; hope of eternal life from him; humility of soul, patience and submission to his will, with every other grace; so the Heathens call religion "metum Deorum" (q), the fear of God: and "keeping of the commandments", or obedience to the whole will of God, is the fruit, effect, and evidence of the former; and takes in all the commands of God, moral and positive, whether under the former or present dispensation; and an observance of them in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God;

And Jesus left us this charge...

Mat 28:18    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Mat 28:19    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Earlier it was said...

Ecc 2:24  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Ecc 3:13  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Ecc 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

And...

Ecc 11:9    Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

This brings to mind what was said in Proverbs.

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 1:29  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Pro 2:5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Pro 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Pro 10:27  The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Pro 14:26  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Pro 14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Pro 15:16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Pro 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by thefear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Pro 19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Pro 22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in thefear of the LORD all the day long.