MAR 26

Ecclesiastes 12:3-7
Memorise Ecclesiastes 12:7
"And the spirit shall return to God who gave it"

WHAT IS OLD AGE LIKE? (II)

The description continues in verses 5-7: The old man will be afraid of heights, for he will fall easily. In fact, there will be many other things that he will fear because of his weak and frail body. He will go from being that carefree reckless youth to a careful, timid old man. The almond tree shall flourish with the white blood of the almond flowers in early spring. This describes his head of white hair, which are further signs of his age. His back will begin to hung, like that of a grasshopper that is always crouched over. His fleshly desires will wane, as his appetites decrease. He will no longer be able to enjoy many of the things which he used to enjoy. Eventually, he will go to his long home of eternity. This describes the day of his death, where the mourners will go about his streets at his funeral.

But how will he die? Verse 6 gives a variety of means whereby an old person can pass away: The silver cord, which refers to the spinal cord in the back may be loosed, as the whole nerve centre of the body breaks down. The golden bowl could be a reference to his skull could be broken. The pitcher speaks of his internal organs, which could be broken and no longer be able to function. The wheel of the cistern could be the heart which pumps blood to the whole body. There are many ways which a body would stop functioning, but all will lead to the same fate. The physical body will return to the earth as it was, and the eternal spirit will return to God.

It may be a very depressing and even morbid topic to consider, especially to go into such vivid detail. However Solomon does so to bring about an intended effect. He wants to shock the readers to awaken from their complacency, and to be faced with the realities of life. In our youth we hardly think of sickness, ill health and old age. We seem to think that we have years ahead of us, and that there is still time to enjoy all the pleasures of this life. Solomon therefore exhorts all of us to remember the Lord while they still can, for old age, ill health and finally death will soon catch up, and you will have no more opportunity to serve the Lord. As an old man, he was probably beginning to feel all these effects, and thus exhorted all the young around him to take heed, to learn from his mistakes, and to cherish the life that God has given you!

Thought: Why do the young always wish they were older, and the old wish they were younger?
Prayer: Lord, help me to always treasure my youth!