“But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity”.
Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

Books are an incredible tool for learning, but this part of the Bible seems to downplay their significance saying "much study wearies the body"
Why is this?


What God is likely saying in these verses is that reading many books may not be the best way to gain true wisdom and knowledge.

If someone could read all the books that have ever been written they would come to one conclusion: fear God and keep his commands.

This saves us the trouble of taking on the impossible task of reading every book in existence. We know the answer to all reading.

This is also a tool in choosing which books to read. Books that are fiction, secular, religious, scientific, etc. will all ultimately point to the supremacy of God, but only through wearying work.


But if your book readings are too isolated in any way, or wander too far from the Word of God, you may see the message that God is to be feared and obeyed grow dim.


If you want to discover the truths that would be found in the reading of all books, pick up the Bible and learn the conclusion of all wisdom and knowledge from the one who created everything.

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