Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

We are in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. That means today, we are 1 day away from starting the Gospel of Mark. Go to the website and grab the Scriptural Journal for this study so you can study along with us.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 12:9-12:

Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. — Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

These verses show Solomon’s passion as a teacher. He didn’t just live wisely—he worked to pass wisdom on. He studied, he sifted, he selected each word carefully. Not to impress, but to guide. Not to sound clever, but to offer truth.

He compares wisdom to a goad—a sharp stick used to keep animals on the right path. And also to nails—firmly fixed, anchoring truth into the soul. Good wisdom doesn’t just entertain—it moves you. It stabilizes you. It sets your course.

And Solomon says something profound here: these collected sayings were given by one Shepherd. Even though Solomon penned them, the true Author behind them is God. He’s the One trying to lead us home.

But then comes a warning. "Beware of anything beyond these."

So Solomon isn’t anti-learning. He’s not dismissing scholarship or curiosity. He’s warning us not to drown in the endless search for knowledge while missing the truth already in front of us.

Too many people spend their lives chasing new ideas but never living out the truth they already know.

There are a lot of voices out there. A lot of opinions. A lot of books. But not all words are equal. Some distract. Some deceive. But the words that come from the Shepherd? They lead us home.

#WiseWords, #ShepherdsVoice, #Ecclesiastes12

ASK THIS:

1. What truth from Scripture have I learned but still struggle to apply?
2. In what areas of life am I chasing knowledge but missing obedience?
3. How can I better recognize the voice of the Shepherd in a noisy world?
4. What’s one way I can anchor wisdom more deeply in my heart this week?

DO THIS:

Choose one piece of wisdom from Scripture today—and live it out. Don’t just read truth. Apply it.

PRAY THIS:

Father, help me to value Your wisdom above the noise of the world. Anchor my heart in Your truth and lead me home. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

The Lord Will Provide.