Eld Ko Swee Chay

Introduction

In Ecclesiastes 12:3-5, Solomon described the inevitability of ageing, the decline of physical strength and functions, and the certainty of mortality through metaphorical language and imagery. This serves as a sobering yet powerful reminder of the transience and finality of life, and the importance of remembering God and living a life pleasing and acceptable to Him. This should encourage us to be certain of our salvation, to embrace the ageing process as a reality of life, to recognise the brevity of life, to prepare for eternity, to make the best use of our time, and to live a purposeful life focusing on things of eternal value.

In Ecclesiastes 12:6-8, Solomon employs four poetic metaphors to depict the inevitable eventual arrival of death with advancing age and deterioration, providing a description of life after death and reiterating that a life lived under the sun without God is vanity.

A vivid picture of death (Eccl 12:6)

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

In Ecclesiastes 12:3-5, we have examined the external evidence of ageing, including the decline of physical strength and functions, as well as the various infirmities. Following that, in Ecclesiastes 12:6, is what takes place within the body to produce what is called death, the separation of body and soul. Solomon employs four poetic metaphors that picture the final act of dying:  

the silver cord be loosed - the silver cord may be a reference to the spinal cord, the spinal marrow which originates from the brain, and extends down to the lowest end of the backbone, connecting the brain and nerves; it is pale and silver-like. The colour silver symbolises preciousness. The silver cord represents the precious but fragile link between life and death. The whole nerve centre of the body breaks down when the silver cord is loosed or dissolved or broken.

the golden bowl be broken - the golden bowl may be a reference to the brain or the bowl (skull) for the brain because of its shape and colour. Gold colour symbolises preciousness and greatness. A golden bowl evokes value and beauty, yet it can be smashed in an instant. This points to the skull which holds the brain – the control centre of the whole body and the seat of thought and desire, which can fail quickly when blood flow (heart) or oxygen (lung) supply is interrupted or stopped.

the pitcher be broken at the fountain - A clay pitcher gathers water; once broken, it can no longer carry life-giving refreshment. The pitcher may be a reference to the heart, lungs or other internal organs, the failure of which causes the body to shut down.

the wheel broken at the cistern - In ancient wells, a rope wound around a wheel is used to raise water. When the wheel breaks, the flow of water ceases. This imagery may be a reference to heart failure (heart attack today), where the system of veins and arteries that carries the blood around the body continuously, like a water wheel, breaks down, and the body dies.

Life is precious but fragile and fleeting, and death is inevitable and certain. Cord loosed, bowl broken, pitcher shattered, wheel broken - death is certain. How easily death comes to any one of us. Any critical parts of the body could break down suddenly. No doctors, specialists or hospitals can save a dying person. This reminds us that no matter how strong, successful, wealthy or wise we are, our earthly lives will ultimately come to an end.

In essence, verse 6 reminds us to consider the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Therefore, remember our Creator now, work out our salvation in Christ, and live every moment in wholehearted devotion to the Lord before the inevitable day when our earthly body dissolves and we stand before His judgment seat.

A preview of life after death (Eccl 12:7)

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

This verse echoes Genesis 2:7 - “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” and Genesis 3:19 – “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” We are dust, animated by the breath of God. At death, the physical body will return to the earth as it was – to the dust from which it was formed, and the spirit or soul will return to its Maker – the Lord God who forms the spirit of every man within him. This reminds us that we are not our own. We belong to God. This makes death terrible to the wicked and unbelievers, whose souls go to God as the Avenger; but death is peaceful and comfortable to godly believers, whose souls go to God as their Father. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Apostle Paul assured us that to be absent from the body means to be present with the Lord.

A reminder that life without God is vanity (Eccl 12:8)

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

Having presented his experiences and observations concerning life, Solomon concludes his reflections on life with a profound declaration: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”. This is a reiteration and confirmation of what he proclaimed right at the very beginning in Ecclesiastes 1:2. This is the central theme throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, that living a life without God and Christ is futile and feckless. Solomon was not saying life is meaningless. He recognised that life without God is meaningless, and that life’s meaning cannot be found in things that perish. All our achievements, wealth, fame and pleasure will evaporate into thin air. What remains is what we do in reverence to God. This is not a declaration of despair, morbidness, or nihilism. It is a warning against focusing on things of no eternal value and living for what is temporary. All our striving, building, and accumulating will pass away.

In a world that measures success in life by academic qualifications, positions, social status and material possessions, vanity is a concept many people struggle with. The Bible has a great deal to say about vanity, reminding us that true value comes from God, not from who we are or what we possess. Vanity often begins with carnality, excessive pride or self-centeredness. It can cause us to focus too much on material things and ourselves, rather than on our relationship with God and those around us. We must remind ourselves that a life directed by vanity is fleeting, while a life dedicated to God is everlasting. Knowing that life is futile without God motivates the wise person to first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 12:6-8 is not a lament, or morbid, or a funeral dirge; it is a warning and wake-up call. It uses poetic metaphors to picture the end of life, signifying that earthly life, though precious, is fragile and fleeting, and death is inevitable. At death, the body goes back to the earth, but the spirit returns unto God who gave it. Once again, we are reminded that living a life apart from God and without Christ is vanity and meaningless.

Let us not have the same regrets as Solomon. Let us focus on our relationship with God. Let us live wisely for Christ. Let us remember our Creator before the silver cord is loosed. May the Lord help us. AMEN.