Ecclesiastes 12:12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
“Be admonished” is a call to be warned and taught by upright words of truth spoken through the wise preacher and other wise teachers. Those words are described as goads, and as nails firmly fastened by the masters of assemblies, coming from one Shepherd. Solomon gathered and arranged such words to teach the people.
Those recorded lessons grew out of Solomon’s wasted years and were preserved for later generations as truthful guidance. The making of many books has no end, and much devoted study wearies the body.
The weariness comes when reading and study go beyond what the mind can retain and use to advantage. The mind must have time to rest, and what tires the mind makes the body suffer harm and injury. Greed for too many books is therefore harmful.
The same principle rebukes crowding too much material and too many points into one sermon. When this is done hearers cannot appreciate, understand, or follow what is presented. This injures preaching and weakens the effect of truth.
Greater success comes from fastening one or two points of vital importance in the hearers’ minds. The bearing of each point is to be made distinct, and then hearers are to be urged to a decision. The admonition points to the conclusion that the whole duty of humanity is to fear God and keep His commandments. The reason is that God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing whether good or evil.