ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR WHOLE OBLIGATION TO GOD!

Aids to Remembering Our Grand Creator

The congregator was in an excellent position to provide guidelines for our remembering our Grand Creator. Jehovah had answered his heartfelt prayers by granting him extraordinary wisdom. ( 1 Kings 3:6-12) Solomon made thorough investigation of the entire scope of human affairs. Moreover, he was divinely inspired to commit his findings to writing so as to benefit others. He wrote: "And besides the fact that the congregator had become wise, he also taught the people knowledge continually, and he pondered and made a thorough search, that he might arrange many proverbs in order. The congregator sought to find the delightful words and the writing of correct words of truth." _ Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10.

The Greek Septuagint rendering of those words reads: "And moreover, because he taught mankind wisdom; that the ear might find what is comely from parables, the preacher made diligent search to find pleasing words and a writing of rectitude-words of truth." (The Septuagint Bible, translated by Charles Thomson) Solomon endeavor d to reach the hearts of his readers with delightful words and truly interesting and worthwhile subjects. Since his words found in the Scriptures are the product of inspiration by holy spirit, we can without reservation accept his finding and wise counsel. - 2Timothy 3:16, 17.

Even in the absence of modern printing methods, there were plenty of books available in Solomon's day. How was such literature to be viewed? He said: "The words of the wise ones are like oxgoads, and just like nails driven in are those indulging in collections of sentences; they have given from one shepherd. As regards anything besides these, my son, take a warning: to the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh." -Ecclesiastes 12:11, 12.

The words of those possessing godly wisdom prove to be like oxgoads. How so? They prod the readers or listeners to make advancement in harmony with the wise words read of heard. Moreover, those who occupy themselves with "collections of sentences," or truly wise and worthwhile sayings are like "nails driven in," or solidly fixed. This may be so because the fine words of such individuals reflect Jehovah's wisdom and can therefore serve to stabilize and support the readers or listeners. If you are a God-fearing parent, should you not make every effort to inculcate such wisdom in the mind and heart of your child? -Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Why, though, did Solomon say what he did about books? Well, compared with Jehovah's Word, the endless volumes of this world contain mere human reasoning. Much of this thinking reflects the mind of Satan the Devil. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Therefore, "much devotion" to such secular material produces little of lasting value. In fact, a great deal of it can be spiritually detrimental. Like Solomon, let us meditate on what God's Word says about life. This will strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Jehovah. Excessive attention to other books or sources of instruction can wear us out. Especially when such writings are the product of worldly reasoning that conflicts with godly wisdom are they unwholesome and destructive of faith in God and his purposes. So, then, let us remember that the most beneficial writings of Solomon's day and our own are those that reflect the wisdom of the "one shepherd," Jehovah God. He has provided the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures, and to these we should give paramount attention. The Bible and helpful publications of the "faithful slave"enable us to acquire "the very knowledge of God." -Proverbs 2:1-6.

Next time: Our Whole Obligation to God

Watchtower, 1999