It isn't an easy thing to follow directions. One Christmas tradition that grew up through the early years of our family was that of the Christmas Eve Assembly Project. It involved my wife constructing all of the Christmas presents that required assembly. It is something for which she is extraordinarily talented. It isn't that she is so good with tools. It is that she knows how to read and follow the directions.

To tell you the truth, I'm not that good at following directions. I have a tendency to try things my own way; to try to puzzle things out for myself. Only when all else had failed do I resort to reading the directions.

Throughout Ecclesiastes we have been provided with some directions for life. In this chapter particularly, we are given the wise direction to fear the Lord and to follow Him in our youth.

Throughout this book, we have followed the Preacher in his quest for meaning and purpose to life. We saw him try all sorts of experiences and attitudes. But the relating of this quest was not for his benefit. It was for our own.

The Preacher was the possessor of wisdom. He was also the dispenser of wisdom. It is possible to have wisdom and to keep it to yourself. What made him a Preacher is that he preached -- he proclaimed words of wisdom to others in a way that made it understandable. Notice the means by which he operated:

1. He Taught the People Knowledge (12:9).

• He taught knowledge: There must be substance to the teaching or else there is nothing worthy of being taught.

A little girl in church with her mother asked, "Mommy, why does the pastor pray before his sermon?" She replied, "He's asking God to help him preach a good sermon." "Mommy," came a second question, "Why doesn't God answer his prayer?"

• He taught the people. A teacher does not really teach unless he teaches people. It is not enough to teach a subject. You might know all about a particular topic and be able to expound upon it. But unless you are also able to communicate to the minds and souls of your HEARERS, then all is in vain.

1. He pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs (12:9).

This implies a labor of study. The Preacher did not merely share with people the first thing that came into his head. He thought before he spoke. He spent time searching out that which he was going to teach. He set his wisdom in order, arranging "many proverbs."

2. The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. (12:10).

It was not enough to have knowledge. It was not even enough to have it arranged intelligently. The Preacher also labored to speak in a pleasing manner. The NIV says that he picked "just the right words." He gave thought and effort to communicating in a way that would capture the attention of his readers.

3. The Preacher sought... to write words of truth correctly (12:10).

This verse is given in the form of a parallel. The Hebrew text gives a chiastic order to the words. This parallel is seen by contrasting two images.

A goad is a pointed stick used for driving oxen and other animals. It poked at the animal to make him move in the desired direction. Nails have a different use. They are hammered to keep something in place. The first is temporary. The second is permanent.

The Word of God accomplishes both of these purposes. It afflicts the comfortable and it comforts the afflicted.

• To the one who is comfortable with his life, the Word of God acts as a goad to move him out of his "comfort zone." It pushes us to do those things we ought to do.
• To the one who is burdened and tossed to and fro by the winds of life, it provides a haven of stability. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

This is a warning. In the midst of a soliloquy of the value of words and of wisdom, the warning is given that words themselves can be both endless and wearisome.

We are living in the information age. What was true in the days of Solomon is even more true today. A teacher has been defined as someone who talks in other people's sleep. While we are called to take heed to words of wisdom, we are NOT called to excessive devotion to books. Such a devotion is wearisome to the body. The reason it is wearisome is because it is never put into PRACTICE. It only remains theoretical.

Our problem is not generally that we do not KNOW enough. Our problem is in APPLYING that which we do know. The most simple truths become profound when put into practice.

Wisdom teaches us to do two things. The first of these things is based upon the second.

1. Wisdom Teaches us to Fear God.

This is the conclusion of the book of Ecclesiastes. It is also the same "big idea" that is found in the other Wisdom Literature.

Job	Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28).
Psalms	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. (Psalm 111:10).
Proverbs	The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7).

2. Keep His Commandments.

The reason for this double conclusion is because this applies to every person. This phrase literally reads, "because this is all of man" or "because this is the all of man." The implication is that "this is the whole duty of man." The Westminster Confession captures the same essence of this statement when it says, "This is the chief end of man."

The reason that we are to fear God is because He is ultimately our Judge. He is not only our Judge, He is also our Sovereign Judge. The aspect of His sovereignty means that there is nothing that shall escape His judgment. Nothing shall remain hidden, whether good or evil. All shall be judged.

We are going to stand before God one day and we sill give an accounting of both our deeds as well as of the intents of our hearts.

The good news for the Christian is that this judgment took place upon the cross. It was there that God's perfect and righteous judgment was poured out upon His only Son. The evil deeds we committed and the evil thoughts we harbored were accounted to Him. While our sins shall not remain hidden, their penalty has been paid.