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Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. --- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT In his conclusion, Solomon presents his antidotes for the two main ailments presented in the book of Ecclesiastes. Those who lack purpose and direction in life should fear God and obey his commands. Those who think life is unfair should remember that God will review every person’s life to determine how he or she has responded to him, and he will bring every deed into judgment. Have you committed your life to God? Does your life measure up to his standards? The book of Ecclesiastes cannot be interpreted correctly without reading these final verses. No matter what the mysteries and apparent contradictions of life are, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon shows us that we should enjoy life, but this does not exempt us from obeying God’s commands. We should search for purpose and meaning in life, but they cannot be found in human endeavors. We should acknowledge the evil, foolishness, and injustice in life yet maintain a positive attitude and strong faith in God. All people will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life. We will not be able to use the inequities of life as an excuse for failing to live properly. We need to (1) recognize that human effort apart from God is futile; (2) put God first---now; (3) receive everything good as a gift from God; and (4) realize that God will judge every person’s life, whether good or evil. How strange that people spend their lives striving for the joy that God gives freely. --- Life Application Study Bible note