Ecclesiastes 12:1-2

Remember God in Your Youth

1 ¹Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before * * the ²evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them";

2 before * * the ³sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain;

Ecclesiastes 12:1-2 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 12

This chapter begins with advice to young men, which is continued from the preceding; and particularly to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; enforced from the consideration of the troubles and inconveniences of old age, Ec 12:1; which, in an allegorical way, is beautifully described, Ec 12:2-6; and from the certainty of death, when it would be too late, Ec 12:7. And then the wise man returns to his first proposition, and which he kept in view all along, that all is vanity in youth or old age, Ec 12:8; and recommends the reading of this book, from the diligence, pains and labour, he used in composing it; from the sententious matter in it; from the agreeable, acceptable, and well chosen words, in which he had expressed it; and from the wisdom, uprightness, truth, efficacy, and authority of the doctrines of it, Ec 12:9-11; and from its preference to other books, which were wearisome both to author and reader, Ec 12:12. And it is concluded with the scope and design, the sum and substance of the whole of it, reducible to these two heads; the fear of God, and obedience to him, Ec 12:13; and which are urged from the consideration of a future judgment, into which all things shall be brought, Ec 12:14.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 8:18; Nehemiah 4:14; Psalms 63:6; Psalms 119:55
• 2. Ecclesiastes 11:8
• 3. Isaiah 5:30; Isaiah 13:10; Ezekiel 32:7, 8; Joel 3:15; Matthew 24:29