ANOTHER BOOK of wisdom attributed to Solomon is our Old Testament study this week. The collected sayings of "the Preacher" (or "the Collector"), widely believed to be Solomon, are generally gloomy, but only in that they remind us of the folly of pursuing material things apart from God.

The book concludes with a summary of Solomon's long pursuit of wisdom — a three sentence summary of the meaning of life:

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)