The Meaning of Ecclesiastes 12:1: “Remember Your Creator”

Why would Solomon tell young people to “remember now your Creator”? How can we apply this? Is there any significance to the title “Creator”?

In the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, we are instructed, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

The Bible doesn’t contain many verses dedicated solely to young people. For those who are youths, teenagers or even young adults, this verse should be read as a call to action. It also provides guidance for those who have transitioned to other stages in their lives.

So what does Ecclesiastes 12:1 mean? How can we apply it in our lives today?

The context of Ecclesiastes 12:1

Ecclesiastes is an analysis of life from a man nearing the end of his life. (To learn more about this book, read “Ecclesiastes”). This means that every verse is part of a grand point and not just an isolated bit of text. 

To understand Ecclesiastes 12:1, we have to go back to Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, which reads: “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put evil away from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.”

The author of Ecclesiastes recognizes youth as a very narrow but precious window of opportunity. When he declares, “childhood and youth are vanity,” he’s not criticizing or putting down youthfulness but is pointing out that it’s fleeting. 

The Bible describes man’s entire life and substance as a vapor, something that is here and gone quickly (Psalm 39:5). Youth is but a small part of that existence. 

Moses declared, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). 

This takes on a greater meaning when we read what comes after Ecclesiastes 12:1.

What comes after Ecclesiastes 12:1

Much of Ecclesiastes 12 is a poetic description of what happens to the human body as it ages. It encourages the reader to take action before age takes his or her power and abilities away.  

We are to remember our Creator “while the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened” (Ecclesiastes 12:2). This seems to refer to the visual problems many develop as we get older. 

The description continues in verse 3: The hands (“the keepers of the house”) start to shake, and we lose the steadiness we enjoyed in our youth. The legs (“the strong men”) start to give out, making walking more difficult. We start to lose our teeth (“grinders cease”), and experience loss of vision (“those that look through the windows grow dim”). Verse 4 describes a sensitivity to noises that makes sleep more difficult.

Verse 5 warns us that we will become fearful and anxious with older age—that our hair will grow white (“the almond tree blossoms”), that we will weaken and that our passions will start to ebb. These are some of the things we experience as we approach the end of life.

With this realistic picture of older age in mind, let’s return to Ecclesiastes 12:1 and see what Solomon’s advice is for the young and old alike. 

Solomon’s advice

Solomon describes youth as a time of both vanity and enjoyment. It’s a period when the mind is sharper and the body is in its peak physical condition. At this time of life, most of us have the capability to do almost anything (or, at least, believe we do).  

This can also be dangerous because youth can be a time of temptation. With the physical ability to do nearly anything comes the possibility of doing many things that break God’s laws. 

This is a trap that many young people fall into, and it can take a wide variety of forms, including excessive partying, alcohol, drugs, sexual relationships outside of marriage, violence—and the list goes on.

The reality of these traps is that the thrill and enjoyment they bring eventually end. They may be fun at the time, but those choices have consequences that will come down the road, even if we can’t see them now. What’s more, those traps are sinful and will lead to death and separate us from God.

To prevent this letdown, we’re urged to remember our Creator when we’re young. Remembering God will keep us in line with His way of life and away from temporary pleasures that will hurt us later. Remembering God doesn’t mean we’ll have no joy, but it will help us find our joy in things that are good and will last. 

When we’re older and our physical bodies start to decline, the relationship we develop with God will continue and become a lifeline, giving us spiritual strength to face what Solomon describes as “difficult days.”

The significance of “Creator”

Solomon could have chosen from many titles and names for God. But he chose to use “Creator.” Why did he choose this name? 

When we think of God as our Creator, we automatically go back to Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God is an eternal being who created everything, from life to time. 

That’s a level of power we neither have nor comprehend. 

As we continue to explore Genesis 1, we realize that mankind is the pinnacle of God’s creation. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) and has great plans for the entire human race. When we remember this, we realize that He has the authority to tell us how to live and why that way is the best for us. 

Let’s heed Solomon’s advice. Remember your Creator throughout your life. Develop that precious relationship with Him now before life gets difficult. If you’re already more advanced in age, seize the opportunity to deepen your relationship with your Creator.

For more insight on building a solid relationship with your Creator, read “Relationship With God.”