A final word, when all has been heard: Fear God and keep His mitzvot [commandments]! For this applies to all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13, TLV

The Final Word?   Kohelet, Hebrew for Ecclesiastes, is translated as “The Preacher” or “The Teacher.” Although the authorship is not mentioned, there are clues scattered throughout the book, beginning with the first verse, “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” to indicate it was King Solomon. The book was probably written around 930-935 B.C. which would align with the latter years of Solomon and further confirm the voice of the author.

That voice is a man coming to the end of his life and realizing what is most important.

Today’s verse begins with: “A final word …” It seems appropriate to finish his final word:

God will bring every deed into judgment,
including everything that is hidden,
whether it is good or evil. (12:14)

For the man who most likely broke every single commandment, the preacher’s final words are most apropos. With all the wealth, power, and a supernatural gift of wisdom from God, Solomon squandered much of his life with vanity and misuse of his power. Where did that bring him? The realization that what really matters is the eternal. What really matters is pleasing God, not himself.

We may not have the wealth of a king or his power, but our world — our home — is where we govern. Every day we have the choice to fear God and obey His commandments.

Let’s not wait for the last days of our life to realize the wisdom of this “final word.” But even it these are the waning years of our life, it’s never too late to begin making those wise choices. We’ll never be perfect, because, well, we’re a mess, but we try, fail, repent, and learn. And that’s a good final word, yes?