The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: Obey


The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that (Jesus) answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. ~ Mark 12:28-34


All of Ecclesiastes ends with this pretty succinct summary. Fear God. Obey the commandments.
That's it.
Sure took him a long time to get there, didn't it?
But for us, that isn't the end of the story.
It isn't the end just to say "obey."
It isn't the end to say obey without also saying "love."
Love God. Love neighbor.
That's it.
That is the Kin-dom of God.
Love.
Love from God. Love for God. Love to share.
You'd think two commandments would be easy, huh?
You'd think the wisdom in such love would be apparent.
Is it?
And if it isn't for everyone, can we SHOW that it is?

Prayer: Holy One, Your Kin-dom come. Your love be done! Amen

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