Ecclesiastes 3:1-21
A Time for Everything
31 There is an appointed time for everything . And there is a time for every event under heaven - 2 A time to give birth and a time to die ; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted . 3 A time to kill and a time to heal ; A time to tear 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 throw stones and a time to gather stones ; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing . 6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost ; A time to keep and a time to throw away . 7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together ; 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 . 9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils ? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time . He has also set eternity in their heart , yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end . 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than e to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime ; 13 moreover , that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor -it is the gift of God . 14 I know that everything e God does will remain forever ; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15 That which e is has been already and that which will be has already been , for God seeks what has passed by.
The Injustice of Life
16 Furthermore , I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness . 17 I said to myself , " God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man ," for a time for every matter and for every deed is there . 18 I said to myself concerning e the sons of men , "God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts ." 19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same . As one dies so dies the other ; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast , for all is vanity . 20 All go to the same place . All came from the dust and all return to the dust . 21 Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:1-21
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:1-10
(Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-10)
To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment. To bring ourselves to our state in life, is our duty and wisdom in this world. God's whole plan for the government of the world will be found altogether wise, just, and good. Then let us seize the favourable opportunity for every good purpose and work. The time to die is fast approaching. Thus labour and sorrow fill the world. This is given us, that we may always have something to do; none were sent into the world to be idle.
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:11-15
(Read Ecclesiastes 3:11-15)
Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
(Read Ecclesiastes 3:16-22)
Without the fear of the Lord, man is but vanity; set that aside, and judges will not use their power well. And there is another Judge that stands before the door. With God there is a time for the redressing of grievances, though as yet we see it not. Solomon seems to express his wish that men might perceive, that by choosing this world as their portion, they brought themselves to a level with the beasts, without being free, as they are, from present vexations and a future account. Both return to the dust from whence they were taken. What little reason have we to be proud of our bodies, or bodily accomplishments! But as none can fully comprehend, so few consider properly, the difference between the rational soul of man, and the spirit or life of the beast. The spirit of man goes upward, to be judged, and is then fixed in an unchangeable state of happiness or misery. It is as certain that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth; it perishes at death. Surely their case is lamentable, the height of whose hopes and wishes is, that they may die like beasts. Let our inquiry be, how an eternity of existence may be to us an eternity of enjoyment? To answer this, is the grand design of revelation. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, and the Hope of sinners.