A Time for Everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Transcription

1 1 A Time for Everything Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

2 2 Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22, A Time for Everything 1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

3 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 16. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? Introduction: I. Coffman expressed the view that Solomon cited the fourteen opposites of this chapter to further show his perception of the vanity and futility of human life. A. Solomon, the Preacher, Koheleth, argued that no matter what man attempts to do, the final result will be determined by events and conditions over which he has no control whatever. (Coffman) B. Among these, Coffman observed, are:

4 the century into which a person is born. 2. the place of birth. 3. the intelligence, wealth and health of parents. 4. the parental religious views. 5. world conditions at the time of a person s birth including war or peace, social and climatic conditions. 6. the presence or absence of physical or mental disabilities. II. Solomon, according to Coffman,... was affirming here that man s success, wealth, happiness, etc., are not finally in the hands of any man, but that the will of God in every case is a vital and determining factor. III. Smith wrote, The writer s main purpose here is to confirm the conclusion he reached in the previous chapter, namely that wisdom, wealth, success, happiness, etc., are not in man s hands. By his own efforts he can secure none of these priceless treasures; they are distributed by the will of God. IV. The sovereignty of God is the primary theme of this chapter. (Bland) A. God determines the events of human life (verses 1-15). (Bland) B. God determines the ultimate destiny of human beings (verses 16-22). (Bland) C. Bland wrote: 1. God controls everything that happens in life.

5 Humans cannot change that which God sets in motion. 3. Instead, they learn to make themselves open to the seasons of life as they come and ultimately enjoy that which God gives. Note: Commentary headings based on NIV text. Commentary: The Rhythm of God Ecclesiastes 3:1, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: I. There is a time, a beginning of a period, for everything,... A. In all things, medical care, sports, business, fine arts, etc., timing is extremely important. 1. Success and failure often hinge on timing. 2. Proverbs 15:23, A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 3. Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. B. Everything includes, as parts of life, both positive, constructive, good things and negative, destructive, bad things. (Bland) 1. Bland wrote, The wise learn that humans cannot accept one without the other.

6 6 C. The providence of God disposes and arranges every detail of man s life. 1. This proposition is first stated generally, and then worked out in particular by means of antithetical sentences. (Pulpit Commentary) 2. The supremacy of God is evident in all man s concerns, the most trivial as well as the most important. (Pulpit Commentary) II.... a season, a definite portion or period of time, for every purpose, activity under heaven: A. Uses of time and season in the scriptures include the following: 1. Acts 1:7, And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power Thessalonians 5:1, But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 3. Daniel 7:12, As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. Note 1: Smith wrote, In Hebrew manuscripts and in most printed texts verses 2-8 are printed in two parallel columns so that the contrasting times are clearly juxtaposed. Note 2: A comparable arrangement is noted in the rendering of Joshua 12:9-23 and Esther 9:7.

7 7 Note 3: In this segment, verses 1-8, marked paired contrasts are presented. Ecclesiastes 3:2, A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; I. A time to be born... II. and a time to die, A. Hebrews 9:27, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: B. Psalm 90:10, The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. C. Job 14:5, Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; III. a time to plant... A. This planting certainly refers to agriculture, but it can also refer to planting, establishing Kingdoms, businesses, etc. 1. Jeremiah 1:10, See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. 2. Jeremiah 18:9, And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;

8 8 IV. and a time to uproot. Ecclesiastes 3:3, A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; I. a time to kill... A. This may reference execution of criminals, deaths in war and justifiable homicides as in cases of self defense. (See Smith) II. and a time to heal, 1. Deuteronomy 32:39, See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. III. a time to tear down... A. This includes demolition of old decaying buildings which have become unfit for human occupancy as well as many other things with which all are familiar. IV. and a time to build, 1. King Solomon is famous for his construction projects including the magnificent temple. Ecclesiastes 3:4, A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; I. A time to weep,...

9 9 A. Events previously mentioned (verses 1-3) now yield to emotions. B. Weeping is a normal response to death. 1. Even Jesus wept upon the death of Lazarus. II. and a time to laugh, a. Lazarus, John 11:35, Jesus wept. A. Weddings and the births of children are universally regarded as time for laughter, rejoicing. III. a time to mourn... A. Scriptural references: 1. Matthew 11:17, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. IV. and a time to dance, A. 2 Samuel 6:14, 16, And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. Ecclesiastes 3:5, A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

10 10 I. a time to scatter stones... A. Smith concluded that this statement may refer to tearing down and building stone walls as in winepresses, guard towers, and roads. B. 2 Kings 3:19, 25, And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones. And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it. C. Isaiah 5:2, And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. II. and a time to gather them, III. a time to embrace... A.... there are times when the expression of affection is appropriate, and... (Smith) IV. and a time to refrain (from embracing), A.... there are times when such displays (of emotion) would be inappropriate. (Smith)

11 Exodus 19:15, And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives Corinthians 7:5, Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 3. Proverbs 5:20, And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? Ecclesiastes 3:6, A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; I. a time to search (get)... A. There is a proper and lawful pursuit of wealth,... (Pulpit Commentary) II. and a time to give up,... A. As the country western song says, There is a time to hold um and a time to fold um. III. a time to keep... IV. and a time to throw away, A. Jonah 1:4, 5, But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah

12 12 was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. B. Acts 27:18-20, 38, And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. Ecclesiastes 3:7, A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; I. a time to tear (rend)... A. Genesis 37:29, 34, And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. B. The time comes when it is not practical to continue to repair an old garment. 1. New wine was not put into old wineskins. II. and a time to mend, A. Some garments, relationships, automobiles are well worth repairing. III. a time to keep, be silent...

13 13 A. Job 2:13, So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. B. Job 32:4, Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. C. Proverbs 17:28, Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. D. Psalm 39:2, was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. E. 2 Kings 2:3, 5, And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. IV. and a time to speak, A. 2 Samuel 1:17, And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: B. Proverbs 15:23, A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! C. Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. D. 2 Samuel 3:33, Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

14 14 Ecclesiastes 3:8, A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. I. A time to love... A. Smith stated that there is certainly a time to love righteousness, goodness and mercy. II. and a time to hate, 1. That is all the time! A. Smith stated there is a time to hate immorality, injustice and oppression. III. a time for war That is all the time! IV. and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:9, What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I. What does the worker gain from his toil? A. The implied answer is Nothing at least in the view of Solomon, the Preacher. B. Coffman affirmed that this argument is flawed because what we do on earth results in eternal joy or sorrow. C. Our perceptions as well as the actual facts affect our view of life.

15 15 II. This question is asked elsewhere in various ways. A. Ecclesiastes 1:3, What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? B. Ecclesiastes 5:16, And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? C. Ecclesiastes 6:11, Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? D. Ecclesiastes 2:22, For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? III. The Pulpit Commentary reads, Since time and tide wait for no man,... he cannot reckon on reaping any advantage from his labor. The Purpose of God Note 1: Smith observed that Solomon, in verses 10-15, now draws three conclusions based on his observations regarding God s supreme rule over all things; viz., (1) There are tasks with which men must concern themselves, (2) men should resolve to do good in their lifetimes, (3) behind men s free will, actions and volition stands the will of God. Note 2: There is a plan and system in all the circumstances of man s life, but the Preacher cannot comprehend it. Man s duty is to make the best of his circumstances and to recognize the immutability of God s law that govern s all things. (Pulpit Commentary) I. I have seen the burden, travail God has given, laid on men.

16 16 A. Solomon was a believer in God, but one who had failed in his duty. 1. This failure produced a pessimistic view of life. B. Bland suggests the burden is man s intense desire to understand the world, or, as we might say, to make heads or tails of it all. C. By this travail, burden, work, man is exercised, kept busy, but it cannot satisfy the cravings of the spirit. (Pulpit Commentary) Ecclesiastes 3:11, He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I. He has made everything beautiful in its time. A. Everything God has done is right and appropriate in its time whether we are speaking of birth, death or anything else in the list found in verses 1-8. (Bland) B. This is true of: 1. God s original creation. 2. All the things by which mankind is exercised when understood from God s overall perspective. II. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;... A. Every human heart longs for eternal life! B. Human history from Adam to the present time affirms this fact.

17 17 C. Augustine via Coffman declared, Our hearts, O God, were made for Thee, and never shall they rest until they rest in Thee. D. Bland defines eternity as used here to mean that which transcends time, that which is timeless. 1. Humans desire to step outside our limitations and to understand all God has done. 2. Ecclesiastes 8:16, 17, When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. E. God has put into men s minds a notion of infinity, of endless duration;... (Pulpit Commentary) III. Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. A. Man does not have the ability, intelligence to fathom, understand the complex acts of the omniscient, omnipotent Creator regarding all things that exist. B. Job was also bewildered by all that he was experiencing and could not understand. C. Man sees only minute parts of the great whole; he cannot comprehend all at one view, cannot understand the law that regulates the time and season of every circumstance in the history of man and the world. (Pulpit Commentary)

18 Man must be content to wait and hope. (Pulpit Commentary) 2. Ecclesiastes 8;16, 17, When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. 3. Ecclesiastes 9:1, For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. Ecclesiastes 3:12, I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. I. I know that there is nothing better for men... A. Since humans cannot understand God s ways, the best we can do is to live within our confines in happiness, doing good all our days. B. Can you think of anything better to do? C. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26, There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to

19 19 him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. II.... than to be happy... III.... and do good... A. Ecclesiastes 7:20, For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. B. Virtue is essential to happiness. (Pulpit Commentary) C. Psalm 36:3, The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. D. Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. IV.... while they live. A. We are urged to live each day fully because we will not come this way again! B. We are to live with the laws of our higher nature. (Pulpit Commentary) Ecclesiastes 3:13, And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I. That everyone may eat and drink,... A. We are to be appreciative for all of God s blessings.

20 20 II.... and find satisfaction in all his toil III.... this is the gift of God. A. God has given us all life s blessings to enjoy. Ecclesiastes 3:14, I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. I. I know that everything God does will endure forever;... A. God s activities transcend time. B. Bland makes the point that human activity is contrasted with divine activity in Ecclesiastes. 1. An unfathomable chasm separates the two. 2. Ecclesiastes 5:7, For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. 3. Ecclesiastes 7:18, It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. 4. Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13, Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

21 Man cannot alter God s providential soverignity in human affairs. a. Isaiah 46:10, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: b. Psalm 33:11, The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. II.... nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. A. Malachi 3:6, For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. B. Revelation 15:2b-4, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. III. God does it so that men will revere him. Ecclesiastes 3:15, That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. I. Whatever is has already been,...

22 22 A. There is an orderly repetitive succession of events in human affairs under the controlling providence of God. (Pulpit Commentary) B. God s laws which regulate things do not change. Therefore, history repeats itself. (Pulpit Commentary) II. and what will be has been before; III.... and God will call the past to account. The Justice of God Note: Smith wrote, If God s providence overrules all of man s existence, how can one account for all the wickedness and injustice in the world...? The Preacher now addresses this question. Ecclesiastes 3:16, And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I. And I saw something else under the sun:... A. Solomon based his conclusions on observations. 1. Solomon, the Preacher, Quoheleth, frequently said, I saw. (See Bland) a. Ecclesiastes 2:13, 24, Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

23 23 b. Ecclesiastes 3:10, 22, I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? c. Ecclesiastes 4:1, 4, 15, So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. d. Ecclesiastes 5:13, 18, There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. e. Ecclesiastes 6:1, There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: f. Ecclesiastes 8:9, 10, All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the

24 24 place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. g. Ecclesiastes 10:5, 7, There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. II. In the place of judgment wickedness was there,... A. Solomon stated the obvious; that is, we live in a wicked and perverted world in which things are far from what they should be. B. This is true even in the courts where justice is expected. C. Equal justice under law is a beautiful goal, but one that is not actually achieved with consistency on this earth. D. The Preacher (Koheleth) was appalled at the corruption he saw in the halls of justice. III. in the place of justice wickedness was there. A. Ecclesiastes 7:15, All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. B. Ecclesiastes 8:14, There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

25 25 C. Ecclesiastes 4:1, So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. D. Ecclesiastes 5:8, 9, If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. E. 1 Kings 12:4, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. Ecclesiastes 3:17, I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I. I thought in my heart,... II. God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked,... A. God will, in his own time, correct the injustices of this life! 1. Matthew 25:31-46, When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom

26 26 prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. B. God is not responsible for the miscarriages of justice in this life. (Bland) C. God is a righteous Judge strong and patient, and his decisions are infallible. (Pulpit Commentary) D. There will definitely be a final divine judgment when all wrongs will be made right, when justice for all will be dispensed.

27 Ecclesiastes12:14, For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. III. for there will be a time for every activity, (purpose, work),... A. There will be a time of judgment and retribution for every act of man... (Pulpit Commentary) Ecclesiastes 3:18, I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. I. I also thought,... A. Solomon argues that there is divine purpose in permitting injustice; viz., (1) injustice tests, (2) injustice humbles. (Smith) B. Scriptures: 1. Daniel 11:35, And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. 2. Revelation 22:11, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 3. Ezekiel 3:27, But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

28 28 II. As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals (beasts). A. Physically humans are comparable to animals in a number of ways, Solomon observed, thought. B. By these methods God shows men how powerless they are. (Pulpit Commentary) Ecclesiastes 3:19, For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. I. Man s fate is like that of the animals;... A. Smith wrote,... there are disorders in the world which men cannot remedy, and which God permits in order to demonstrate that men have no more power over events than do beasts of the earth. B. Therefore, the wisest course is to make the best of present circumstances. (Pulpit Commentary) C. Neither man nor beast is able to rise above the laws that govern their natural lives. (Pulpit Commentary) II. The same fate awaits them both:... III. As one dies, so dies the other. A. In regard to suffering and death, man has no preeminence over a beast. (Smith) B. Both humans and animals die: This they have in common.

29 Psalm 49:10-12, 20, For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. 2. Ecclesiastes 2:14, 15, The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 3. Ecclesiastes 9:2, 3, All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4. Psalm 49:20, Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. IV. All have the same breaths;... V.... man has no advantage over the animal; that is, in regard to suffering and death.

30 30 VI. Everything is meaningless. A. Bland defined meaningless to mean enigmatic, beyond comprehension. Ecclesiastes 3:20, All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. I. All go to the same place;... A. Genesis 3:19, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. B. Psalm 104:29, Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. C. Psalm 146:4, His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. D. Ecclesiastes 12:6, 7, Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. E. All physically, humans and animals, go to the grave. 1. This is no surprise. 2. This has no reference to men s eternal soul! II.... all come from dust....

31 31 A. Genesis 3:19, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. B. Psalm 104:29, Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. C. Psalm 146:3, 4, Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. III.... and to dust all return. Ecclesiastes 3:21, Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? I. Who knows if the spirit (breath) of man rises upward... A. Humans, Coffman observed, have a partial understanding of what happens following death. 1. All we know God has revealed to us. B. Scriptures: 1. Proverbs 15:24, The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 2. Psalm 49:14, 15, ike sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

32 Ecclesiastes 9:10, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 4. Ecclesiastes 2:19, And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. 5. Ecclesiastes 6:12, For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? 6. Ecclesiastes 12:7, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 7. Proverbs 15:24, The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. II. and if the spirit (breath) of the animal goes down into the earth? Ecclesiastes 3:22, Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? I. So I saw that there is nothing better for man than to... A. In view of the constraints of this life, Solomon reaches his conclusion. II.... enjoy his work, because that is his lot.

33 33 A. Solomon s conclusion is that there is nothing better for a man to do than to use the present moment to work that which is good. B. God will one day right this world s injustices. C. Meanwhile, man s happiness is to make the best of the present, and cheerfully to enjoy what divine providence offers, without anxious care for the future. (Smith) D. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. E. Do you enjoy your work? III. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him? A. Bland understands this to refer to what happens on earth after a person expires. 1. Ecclesiastes 2:12, 18, And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Yea, I hated all my labour which I had

34 34 taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 2. Ecclesiastes 7:14, In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 3. Ecclesiastes 9:3, This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

35 35 Conclusion: I. Humans can live within God s parameters gracefully or rebel against them futilely. (See Bland) II. Ecclesiastes 3 does not teach rigid determinism. God does not prearrange every little detail in human life. God determines the broad order of human events and experiences. (Bland) III. Within the constraints in which men live, they will be held responsible for their choices and actions. (Bland) IV. There are injustices and anomalies in the life of men and in the course of this world s events which man cannot control or alter; these may be righted and compensated hereafter. Meanwhile, man s happiness is to make the best of the present, and cheerfully to enjoy what Providence offers without anxious care for the future. (Pulpit Commentary)

36 36 References Bland, Dave L., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, The College Press NIV Commentary, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri, Coffman, James Burton, The Wisdom Literature, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Volume 3, Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version, The Gideons International, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, Holy Bible, New International Version, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 19530, Smith, James E., The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, Old Testament Survey Series, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri, The Pulpit Commentary, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Volume 9, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950.

37 37 Questions Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. There is a for, and a for every under. 2. Are there any exceptions to the above principle? If so, give examples of these exceptions. 3. There is a time to be and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time to, a time to a time to be and a time to, a time to and a time to, a time for and a time for. 4. When is the time to kill?

38 When is the time to dance? What synonyms could be used in place of dance? 6. List antonyms of mourn. 7. What is meant by a time to scatter stones in verse 5? 8. How does a person determine when it is time to be silent and when it is time to speak?

39 When is it ever time for a Christian to hate? 10. When is it time for war? (See 2 Samuel 11:1.) 11. Why was Solomon, an unimaginably rich and powerful ruler, so pessimistic, negative and depressing in his views? 12. Were Solomons views realistic and accurate or false perceptions? Explain. 13. What does the worker gain from his toil?

40 What burden has God laid on men? 15. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Explain the meaning of this statement. Are famine, disease and murder beautiful? 16. Explain the meaning of, He has also set eternity in the hearts of men. 17. According to the Preacher, what is the best that men can do?

41 does will ; can be to it and from it. does it so that will him. 19. Is there really nothing new under the sun? Explain. 20. What point does the Preacher make based on the repetitiveness of events? 21. How, in what ways, will God call the past to account? 22. What else did the Preacher see that caused him grave concern?

42 When and how, in the view of the Preacher, will God bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked? Give reasons for your answer. 24. In what ways are humans and animals alike?... different? 25. What point was the Preacher making by comparing humans and animals? 25. The Preacher saw that there is for a man than to his, because that is his. 27. Do you share this view? Do you enjoy your work? Why or why not?

43 How can we know what will happen on earth after we have been long gone? What point is the Preacher making by his question in verse 22? 29. What conclusions can be reached from what Solomon wrote in this chapter? 30. What is the Preacher s main point in chapter 3?