13. The grand inference of the whole book.
Fear God--The antidote to following creature idols, and "vanities,"
whether self-righteousness
(Ec 7:16, 18),
or wicked oppression and other evils
(Ec 8:12, 13),
or mad mirth
(Ec 2:2; 7:2-5),
or self-mortifying avarice
(Ec 8:13, 17),
or youth spent without God
(Ec 11:9; 12:1).
this is the whole duty of man--literally, "this is the whole man,"
the full ideal of man, as originally contemplated, realized wholly by
JesusChrist alone; and, through Him, by saints now in part, hereafter
perfectly
(1Jo 3:22-24;
Re 22:14).
JFB.
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