It is said that Solomon wrote Song of Solomon (youth), Proverbs (middle age), and Ecclesiastes (old age). Let’s learn from an elderly wise man (Italics mine). “Remember now (yesterday gone – tomorrow not here) thy Creator in the days of thy youth (decisions determine directions and destinations). While (present time) the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened...In the day (now old) when the keepers(bones) of the house(body) shall tremble, and the strong men (once) shall (now) bow(slump) themselves, and the grinders(teeth) cease because they are few (removed or replaced)…those that look out of the windows(eyes) be darkened(glaucoma), And the doors(ears) shall be shut (Huh!)… the soundof the grinding is low (say what?), and he shallrise up at the voice (noises) of the bird (2am – 4:25am)… shall be afraid of that which is high(help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up)… fearsshall be in the way (uncontrollable events) … almond tree shall flourish(but not you)…the grasshopper shall be a burden(small things become big)…desire shall fail (where’s my chair): because man goeth to his long home (short home here)…mourners(funerals) go about the streets: Or ever thesilver cord (life) be loosed (death)…the golden bowl (brain) be broken (memory loss)…the pitcher(heart) be broken at the fountain(flows blood)…the wheel(circulates blood) broken (stops) at the cistern. Then(note: begins with now – closes with then) shall the dust(body) return to the earth as it was (just a pile of dirt)… the spirit(real you in your body) shall return unto God who gave it (body dies you still exist – 2 Cor. 5:8)… Let us hear the conclusionof the whole matter (of life): Fear(reverence) God… keephis commandments (live right): for this is the whole duty of man (do right – live Godly). For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secretthing (known by you and God), whether it be good, or whether it be evil (payday is coming)” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-14).
Solomon states there is a time to be bornand a time to die (Eccl. 3:2). Tombstones show times of birthand deathwith a small dashrepresenting the days of your life. Because all face an Almighty God remember nowthy creator. Everyone faces an inescapable, uncancellable appointment. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). As Solomon, consider now and then. Number days not years (Psa. 90:12). You can’t change your past, but you can change your future. Undo your undones. Will the days of your dash be well done or un-done?
