The Preacher closes the book with an elegy for the human body that reads like a poem about a house falling apart. The grinders cease because they are few, the doors on the street are shut, the almond tree blossoms white, and the grasshopper drags himself along. Before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, remember your Creator. Qoheleth's final verdict holds everything together: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Every deed, every secret thing, will come into judgment.

The Rev. Dan Eddy, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ecclesiastes 12:1–14.

To learn more about Messiah Lutheran, visit mlcbeloit.com.

What does a man gain from all his toil under the sun? Solomon asked that question three thousand years ago, and it still cuts. Ecclesiastes is the Bible's most unflinching book about work, wealth, wisdom, and the ache nothing in this life can fill. It is also one of the most pastoral, because the Preacher tells the truth about death, time, and meaning without leaving the reader in despair. Pastor Booe and guest pastors from across the Synod study it verse by verse, following Solomon's argument to where it finally lands: fear God and keep His commandments.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.