Reading for the Right Reasons

“Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” ~Ecclesiastes 12:12

Welcome to 2024! This year, many of us will embark on a Bible reading plan, perhaps in hopes that Leviticus won’t derail us as it has so many times before! But I imagine many of you have a list of other books you want to read — some classic works, some devotional books, some theological treatises, and more. Many of you read the books for our monthly men’s and women’s study groups. These are always thoughtfully chosen and beneficial to the discerning reader. But there is a kind of reading that isn’t beneficial: a self-serving pursuit of crossing many titles off a list, but never focusing on glorifying God and enjoying Him as you come to know Him better.

Having just spent twelve chapters describing myriad vain pursuits, the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us that we can easily get caught up in the tiring pursuit of knowledge upon knowledge — of trying to achieve a level of “wisdom” that allows us to declare from the top of our mountain, “I know it all! I cannot be challenged in my thinking! I’m ready to win all arguments!” The one who pursues this goal is no wise person, but a fool.

Of course, there is wisdom to be had, and seeking to know God as He has revealed Himself is good and necessary. How can we worship God as He deserves if we don’t know who He is? But all true wisdom is rooted in what the author of Ecclesiastes says next: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccles. 12:13). In other words, true wisdom is not found in the wearying work of studying for studying’s sake, or having knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but in fearing the Lord. Solomon says the same thing in Proverbs when he says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7; cf. 9:10; 15:33).

So as we prepare to embark on a new year filled with reading, ask yourself: “Am I reading these books to attain knowledge for knowledge’s sake? Am I studying for pride’s sake? Or am I seeking to know my Lord more? To fear God more? To apprehend the mercy of God in Christ Jesus better? Am I pursuing my created purpose — to glorify God and to enjoy Him — through reading good books?” I hope you are able to answer with the author of Ecclesiastes that fear of the Lord is the end of the matter. May our desire to know God and enjoy Him lead us to growth in humility rather than give us cause for pride.

What will be the first book you read in 2024? I hope it’s a good one!

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Associate Pastor