Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity. And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, [even] words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are [the words of] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd. And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. [This is] the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." — Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 (ASV)

Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one who could speak from hard-won experience about the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he paid close attention to what he spoke and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are like goads to those who are dull and draw back, and like nails to those who are wandering and draw aside; means to establish the heart, so that we may never be lax in our duty, nor be turned away from it.

The Shepherd of Israel is the Giver of inspired wisdom. Teachers and guides all receive their instruction from him. The title is applied in Scripture to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The prophets sought diligently what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. To write many books was not suited to the shortness of human life and would be a weariness to the writer and to the reader; and this was much more so for both at that time than it is now.

All things would be vanity and vexation, unless they led to this conclusion: That to fear God, and keep his commandments, is the whole of man. The fear of God includes all the affections of the soul toward him, which are produced by the Holy Spirit. There may be terror where there is no love, indeed, where there is hatred.

But this is different from the gracious fear of God, which is like the feelings of an affectionate child. The fear of God is often understood as the whole of true religion in the heart, and includes its practical results in life. Let us attend to the one thing needful, and now come to him as a merciful Saviour, who will soon come as an almighty Judge, when he will bring to light the things of darkness, and manifest the counsels of all hearts.

Why does God record in his word that ALL IS VANITY, except to keep us from deceiving ourselves to our ruin? He makes our duty to be our interest. May it be engraved in all our hearts. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is all that concerns man.