Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 3:1-13. In case you’re wondering, since I believe that Qohelet, known as the “Teacher” and the main speaker in Ecclesiastes, is best identified as Solomon, I will refer to him interchangeably as Qohelet or Solomon. Let’s go!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Some of the most famous words from the book of Ecclesiastes can be found here. Verses 1-8 would become the basis for one of the most popular 1960s American folk and pop songs (just look up “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds). Since there is a time for everything, may we have wisdom like Jesus to know what time it is, that is, to know what we are to do with each season and moment we are in (John 7:6). Since there is a time for everything, may we wait patiently when the times we are looking forward to are not yet happening.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (NIV)
9 What does the worker gain from his toil?
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
On verses 9-11: Earlier in Ecclesiastes 1 when Solomon questioned what a person gains from all their toil (1:3) and what a heavy burden God has laid on people (1:13), Solomon calls all of it meaningless (1:2, 14). Now in Ecclesiastes 3:9-11, Solomon once again questions what people gain from their toil (v9) and the burden God lays on people (v10), but instead of calling it all meaningless Solomon offers a profound statement: “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (v11). It’s the idea that though we long to understand everything God does, we can’t (v11b). Still, we can rest assured that one day God will make all things beautiful in their own time (v11a).
When verse 11b says, “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end”, this suggests that every human being has a curiosity, a longing for something eternal – a God-sized hole, if you will. As human beings we long to understand, connect with and relate to the divine, but we can’t. We need God to do it for us. It’s a God-sized hole only God can fill.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV)
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil–this is the gift of God.
On verses 12-13: I believe we can say a wholehearted amen to both these verses. “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God.” (v13) In other words, this is not something human being can manufacture for society. Happiness, provision and satisfaction in work – these can only truly come from God.
The first two chapters of Ecclesiastes we see Solomon spewing out complaints about life and work and making many questionable claims. Then starting in chapter 3 we see Solomon speaking with a markedly greater measure of profundity, peace and depth. What’s going on? Could it be that the first two chapters were an act? Could it be that chapters 1-2 were meant to be the distressing lead up to the more peaceful and profound chapter 3? Could it be that in Ecclesiastes 1-2 Solomon is illustrating some of the biggest complaints, doubts and questions, which most certainly were exacerbated when he had turned from God’s commands, but then in Ecclesiastes 3 he begins to share some of the insights that helped him resolve those complaints, doubts and questions? Whereas in Proverbs Solomon only shows us the finished product of his thoughts, could it be that in Ecclesiastes Solomon is not just sharing with us the finished product of his thoughts but his process as well, almost like a behind the scenes look at the sometimes messy and chaotic way a movie, a TV show or a song comes together? That way we can see that, even in Solomon’s thoughts, God does make everything beautiful in its time.
Father, thank You that You who began a good work in me are faithful to complete it. To the extent that I’m right now in the middle of that process, I surrender all my thoughts to You and thank You in advance for the finished product, which I believe will be glorious. Like Your Son Jesus, please give me wisdom to know what this current season I’m in is for, that I would make the most of this season I’m in. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
