The End of a King's Search

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Ecclesiastes, 12:8-14.
The great king of Israel had set his mind to try all things on earth, to find what would make him entirely satisfied; he tried all things,—pleasures, music, learning, great buildings, and friends. When old, he told the people what he had proved,—that he could not be happy or satisfied in what he could do or see or have on earth, because he found sin everywhere, and death, the end of all.
But the king had found that it was good to obey God, and to do good to others. So when his search was over, he kept on telling the people all that was true, and writing what he had learned. He said wise words were like the sharp pointed poles, called goads, used by shepherds. When an animal felt the sharp prick of the pole, it would turn back into the right path. So wise words remind those who believe them, to leave wrong ways and go in right ways.
The king also spoke of wise words as “nails, given by one shepherd”; he may have meant the nails were in the poles and caused the pricks; anyway, wise words explain to people what is right, and hold what is true in their minds. A good shepherd turns his flock from danger, and the Lord wants to turn people from wrong. He gave the king the wisdom to write, and has kept his words all the years even till now. These are the last words of the king’s talk:
“Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
These words have perhaps the sharpest “prick” of all his wise words, for none fulfill the duty to keep God’s commands, and this reminds all that there are sins to be punished.
Jesus, the Son of God, was the only one ever to keep all God’s Words. He, too, often told the people of judgment to come, and that every word and act was known to God.
“We must all appear before the judent seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10); Rom. 14: 10.
“So every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12).
God will go over all our works to show which were pleasing to Him, and which were not, and give rewards accordingly.
Those who are saved, know Christ died for them, and bore the punishment of their sins on the cross, so there is no pushment for them.
“There is... no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Rom, 8:1.
“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18).
What same words are at the beginning of the king’s talk, and at the close? (Ecc. 1:2 and 12:8).
What kind of words did he write? (Ecc. 12:10).
ML 08/24/1941