Eclesiastes 3
William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
Eclesiastes 3
William MacDonald writes that Solomon "concluded that God has made everything beautiful in its time, or, better, that there is an appropriate time for each activity. He is not so much thinking here of the beauty of God’s creation as the fact that every action has its own designated time, and that in its time it is eminently fitting....God’s works and ways are inscrutable to man. There is no way in which we can solve the riddle of creation, providence, or the consummation of the universe, apart from revelation. In spite of the enormous advances of human knowledge, we still see through a glass darkly. Very often we have to confess with a sigh, “How little we know of Him!” (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) 🙏 THOUGHT - How would it change our perspective if we really understood that everything (how much?) that comes into our life, good, bad or ugly, is a reflection of God's timing (it is all "appropriate"). He either allows it or sends it but He is always purposeful. My daughter just had a psychotic break on drugs, wrecked her car, completely tore up her apartment, tried to kill herself and is now in a mental hospital and tomorrow (May 2, 2025) is going to 90 days rehabilitation unit. Prayers for Lauren's salvation are coveted and appreciated! Ecclesiastes 3:11 has allowed me to see that this event as "appropriate" and useful and beneficial, even beautiful! The result is I have been able to sleep 8 hours most of the nights since it happened a few days ago and have sincerely given "thanks in everything for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus." Amen? Amen! (1 Th 5:18+) He has also set eternity (olam) in their heart (leb; Lxx - kardia) - AMP = "He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]." The idea is that God has placed a sense of eternity in every heart. People can claim that death brings annihilation, but the implication of this verse is man knows he is an eternal creature. We get a sense of this "implantation" of eternity in men's hearts in Romans 1 because that which is known about God is evident within them (cf "eternity in their heart"); for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:19-21+) As an aside it is surprising to find that the English word "eternity" occurs only 6 times in the NASB - Eccl. 3:11; Isa. 43:13; Isa. 45:17; Mic. 5:2; 2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Pet. 3:18. In the KJV it is only in Isa 57:15 In the ESV it is only 4x - Eccl. 3:11; Isa. 45:17; Isa. 57:15; 2 Pet. 3:18. In NIV only 3x - Ps. 93:2; Prov. 8:23; Eccl. 3:11. In NLT 6x - Ps. 89:4; Eccl. 3:11; Isa. 9:7; Isa. 43:13; Isa. 57:15; Jn. 12:25. In NRSV only 3x - Isa. 45:17; Isa. 57:15; 2 Pet. 3:18. So as you can easily discern, the use of "eternity" while infrequent varies considerably depending on which version you are reading. ESV Study note - God has also placed eternity (that is, a sense that life continues beyond this present existence) into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. The word “find,” or “find out” (Hb. matsa’) has the sense of “figure out, comprehend by study” in this verse and other places in the book (Ec 7:14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29; 8:17). The Preacher thus realizes that both his desire to understand all of life, as well as the limitations on his ability to do so, have been ordained by God. (See ESV Study Bible - Page 396) Ray Stedman on eternity into man's heart - There is a quality about life, about humanity, that can never be explained by the rationale of evolution. No animal is restless and dissatisfied when its physical needs have been met. Observe a well fed dog sleeping before the fire on a cold day. He is with his family, enjoying himself, not worried about anything. Put a man in that position and pretty soon he will feel a sense of restlessness. There is something beyond, something more he is crying out for. This endless search for an answer beyond what we can feel or sense in our physical and emotional needs is what is called here "eternity in man's heart." St. Augustine said, "Thou has made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they learn to rest in Thee." Man is the only worshipping animal. What makes him different cannot be explained by evolutionary procedure. He is different because he longs for the face of God. C.S. Lewis said, "Our Heavenly Father has provided many delightful inns for us along our journey, but he takes great care to see that we do not mistake any of them for home." There is a longing for home, there is a call deep in the human spirit for more than life can provide. This itch which we cannot scratch is part of God's plan. Life Application Study Bible - God has "planted eternity in the human heart." This means that we can never be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits. Because we are created in God's image, (1) we have a spiritual thirst, (2) we have eternal value, and (3) nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us. God has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule. He has given us a glimpse of the perfection of his creation. But it is only a glimpse; we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything. So we must trust God now and do his work on earth. (See NLT Life Application Study Bible) John MacArthur on set eternity in their heart - God made men for His eternal purpose, and nothing in post-Fall time can bring them complete satisfaction. (See MacArthur Study Bible) Michael Eaton - “The Preacher’s vast researches have found nothing in the finite earthly realm which can satisfy the human heart intellectually or practically . . . This is the nearest he comes to Augustine’s maxim: ‘You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find peace in you.'” Donald Glenn - People have a longing or desire to know the extratemporal significance of themselves and their deeds or activities. Solomon added that people cannot know the works of God... from beginning to end, that is, they cannot know the sovereign, eternal plan of God. Human labor is without profit because people are ignorant of God's eternal plan, the basis by which He evaluates the appropriateness and eternal significance of all their activities. Because of this ignorance there is an uncertainty and latent temporality to the value of all one's labor. (See The Bible Knowledge Commentary Wisdom - Page 263) F B
Eclesiastes 3
William MacDonald - Because man’s life is governed by certain inexorable laws and because all his activities seem to leave him where he started, Solomon decides that the best policy is to be happy and enjoy life as much as possible. (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) Duane Garrett - This verse does not mean that we should just forget about our longing for eternity (Ecc 3:11) and try to have a good time....While he urges the reader to accept personal mortality for what it is, he recognizes that life and joy and love are preferred by all. (See Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs - Volume 14 - Page 299) The Believer's Study Bible - These verses are the second occurrence of the refrain (Ed: See comment above). Nothing within man's power on this earth alone will deliver to him true and lasting happiness. However, there is happy appreciation and enthusiastic enjoyment of pleasures which God offers to those righteous ones who live according to His laws and commandments (cf. Ec 12:13, 14) Since we cannot master time, we must master how we live inside it — with joyful hearts Arnot - See that well on the mountain-side,—a small, rude, rocky cup full of crystal water, and that tiny rill flowing through a breach in its brim. The vessel is so diminutive, that it could not contain a supply of water for a single family a single day. But ever getting through secret channels, and ever giving by an open overflow, day and night, summer and winter, from year to year, it discharges in the aggregate a volume to which its own capacity bears no appreciable proportion. The flow from that diminutive cup might, in a drought or war, become life to all the inhabitants of a city. It is thus that a Christian, if he is full of mercy and good fruits, is a greater blessing to the world than either himself or his neighbors deem. Longing For Spring Nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives. —Ecclesiastes 3:12 Today's Scripture : Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 It’s been a long, cold winter, and I am eager for warm weather. I’m tired of seeing bare trees and lifeless brown leaves covering the ground. I long to see wildflowers poke through the dead leaves and to watch the woods turn green once more. Yet even as I anticipate my favorite season, I hear my mother’s voice saying, “Don’t wish your life away.” If you’re like me, you sometimes hear yourself saying, “When such and such happens, then I will . . . or, If only so and so would do this, then I would do that . . . or, I would be happy if . . . or, I will be satisfied when . . .” In longing for some future good, we forget that every day—regardless of the weather or our circumstances—is a gift from God to be used for His glory. According to author Ron Ash, “We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow.” Just as the winter turns to spring, Our lives have changing seasons too; So when a gloomy forecast comes, Remember—God has plans for you. —Sper Every season brings a reason to rejoice. Ecclesiastes 3:13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor–it is the gift of God. Ec 2:24 5:18-20 6:2 9:7 De 28:30,31,47,48 Jdg 6:3-6 Ps 128:2 Isa 65:21-23 See over 50 translations Related Passages: Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? 26 For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 3:22 I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward. 19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. 20For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. 8Let THE GIFT OF GOD ENJOY YOUR LABOR Moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor–it is the gift of God. - RSV = "also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil." CEB = "Moreover, this is the gift of God: that all people should eat, drink, and enjoy the results of their hard work." EXB = "God wants all people to eat and drink and be happy in their ·work [toil], which are gifts from God [Eccl 2:24–26; Ecc 3:22; Ecc 5:18–20; Ecc 8:15; Ecc 9:7–10; C the little pleasures are distractions from the meaningless world]." What does Solomon say about our labor. (1) It is a gift of God and (2) Every man is to enjoy the fruit of their labor. True enjoyment is the gift of God, it is what God wants. Ray
Eclesiastes 3
William MacDonald - From what he knew about death, and also from what he didn’t know, Solomon figures that the best thing a man can do is enjoy his daily activities. That, after all, is his lot in life, and he might as well cooperate with the inevitable. He should find satisfaction in accepting what cannot be changed. But above all, he should enjoy life as it comes to him, because no one can tell him what will happen on earth after he has passed on. (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) Tommy Nelson -Without revelation from God, man sees himself as just another animal. This is why man is losing his unique status in our secular culture today. Many people today are elevating animals to the status of humans. At the same time, others are dehumanizing people, especially the unborn, to the status of animals. This is a humiliating thing. But in nature, both animals and people die. Solomon says that the difference is that people will face judgment by God. (See A Life Well Lived: A Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Page 62) Stevenson - The Preacher repeats the conclusion to which he came in verse 12. He repeats that conclusion now almost word for word. It is that you should make the most of this time that you do have. Life is precious. And it is short. And eternity is long. Make the most of the NOW. Vince Foster, deputy counsel to President Clinton, spoke to the 1993 graduating class of Arkansas University School of Law only six weeks before his death. His words now echo back to us from somewhere in eternity. A portion of what Mr. Foster said to several hundred young lawyers on that historic day: "You have amply demonstrated that you are achievers willing to work hard, long hours and set aside your personal lives. But it reminds me of that observation that no one was ever heard to say on a death bed, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.' Balance wisely your professional life and your family life. If you are fortunate to have children, your parents will warn you that your children will grow up and be gone before you know it. I can testify that it is true. "God only allows us so many opportunities with our children to read a story, go fishing, play catch and say our prayers together. Try not to miss a one of them. The office can wait. It will still be there after your children are gone." Solomon says enjoy life that God has given you to the fullest the life, recognizing it as His gift. God has not revealed the solution to all of life's inconsistencies but has given man a life to enjoy while living in obedience to Him. This is vastly different from the solution of the Epicurean sensualists, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Solomon advises that one's life must be regulated by an awareness of future divine judgment (Ec 12:14). For who will bring him to see what will occur after him (CSB - "after he dies") - AMP - "For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?"" Solomon is explaining why we should enjoy our lot in life. He explains that no one knows what will happen after death for apart from divine revelation, the future is hidden. Therefore since the future is out of our hands, enjoy and do good with lot, the activities God has sovereignly given to each of us. “Do not worry about tomorrow...” -- Jesus Mt 6:34 Think of an hourglass with sand still flowing through it. We cannot reverse the process but we can use well the sand (the lot) that God has given each of us. Be faithful in ("each grain of") your work. Your activities matter when done with purpose and gratitude. Don’t delay joy. If you’re always waiting for the perfect season, you’ll miss "the grain of sand season" you are in. A corollary applicational thought is that when we accept our lot as from the good hand of God, such an attitude will tend to lead us into the wonderful fields of contentment. I think of Paul's accepting his lot and learning contentment as a result. In Philippians he writes Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Php 4:11-13+)