City Life Starter

I. The Word: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

“Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ISV

II. Study Questions

1. How do you define being human? Is it a physical, mental, spiritual state, or something else?

2. When do you most strongly experience the ‘fear of God’? Reading the Word? Being outdoors in nature? During disaster or tragedy?

3. Can you keep God’s commandments and not fear God? Why or why not?

When I study God’s Word, I like to read many different translations of scripture, because it helps me gain a broader understanding based on how different scholars interpret the text. Here’s a small sample from today’s text:

New International Version

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

New Living Translation

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

New American Standard Bible

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person.

King James Bible

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity.

International Standard Version

Let the conclusion of all of these thoughts be heard: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this is what it means to be human.

I am particularly drawn to the International Standard Version translation of the text because of how it ends. “This – fear God and obey his commandments – is what it means to be human.” That’s got me thinking. Meditating. Fearing.

• Walking upright, having bigger brains, possessing special language and communication abilities, these are some of the qualities I was taught in Anthropology 101 made me superior to the rest of the animal kingdom.

• Imagination, creativity, empathy, consciousness itself are all mental and psychological phenomena characteristic of what it separates me from the beasts of the earth.

• God breathing life into the formed dust of the earth, becoming ‘a living soul’ – this act of God more than anything else makes me human, right?

While I’m confident these things make us homo sapiens, I’m questioning if that is enough to make us human now. Perhaps not fully. So what is missing?

Here are two additional things I see the text pointing to (1) freedom of choice and (2) willful action. Beyond that, the scripture seems to be telling me that it isn’t until we choose to fear God, and willfully act to obey his commandments that we experience the fullness of being human.

Here’s where the fear of God enters the equation for me. What kind of creature am I acting like when I chose to test God instead of fear him? To what can I be compared when I willfully disobey God’s commandments?  Thus, fear God, and above all else, cultivate healthy loving relationships with God and all those around you.

What are your thoughts on the subject of being human, fearing God, and obeying God’s commandments? Add your voice in the comment section below.

 III. PRAYER

God, I want to be everything you created me to be. Thank you for your promise that one day I will be just like Jesus. Until then, help me TODAY to fear You and obey Your commandments. Amen.