02.14. The Spirit Returns to God

14. THE SPIRIT RETURNS TO GOD.

Solomon declared, when describing the dissolution of the body:

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

He depicts the destiny of every member of the body: the "keepers of the house," the hands; the "strong men," the legs; "the lookers out at the windows," the eyes; "the silver cord," the spinal marrow; "the golden bowl," the skull; "the pitcher at the fountain, the wheel at the cistern," the heart; all these become dust (Ecclesiastes 12:3-6). Would he not tell us the fate of the soul? He does, it "returns to God who gave it." There, in the hands of its maker and owner, it cannot fail to be cared for.