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Ecclesiastes 3 – Text and Notes
1 [Extended Notes] There is an appointed time for everything [Extended Notes]. And there is a time for every event [lit., delight] 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 [Often the word hate in the Bible does not mean an emotional response, but rather a decision of which to choose (Lk.14:26). It also important to direct our hating, when it is an emotional response, to actions and not people, even though the language of the Bible sometimes does not seem to indicate such a distinction (Ps.5:5).]; 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. [This occupation is a gift from God, for He created man to work and for work.]
11 He has made everything appropriate [lit., beautiful] in its time [Extended Notes]. He has also set eternity [KJV reads, world] in their heart [Anthropological argument for the existence of God], yet [or, without which man] so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. [Ironically, discovering what we can understand and accepting what we cannot, both lead to contentment. (Ecclesiastes 8:16,17; 9:1)] [Extended Notes]
Life Is What We Make It vv.12-13
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; [Much of life is simply what we choose to make of it! One of the best ways to make life good is to do good by helping help others, to serve.]
13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. [vv.12-13 show that true joy comes in 1) seeing God as the giver; 2) not looking solely at the gift; 3) finding good in little everyday experiences. But then again, isn’t that true of most gifts? It is the giver that makes the gift special and meaningful.]
14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it [Man’s place is not for improving on God!], for God has so worked that men should fear [or, be in awe before Him] Him. [This is a glimpse of his final conclusion (12:13-14).]
15 That which is has been already and that which will be has already been [i.e. there is nothing new under the sun], for [for – because: much of life is caused by God’s rules set up at creation.] God seeks what has passed by.
God is the Ultimate Judge vv.16-17
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. [The problem of evil has always existed “under the sun.” Some of this is purposeful, for man is often wicked himself. A small dose of wickedness is accidental, or done with good intentions. For example, in the American court system, many a criminal runs free because of a good principle: the rights of the individual usually supercede the rights of the group.]
17 I said to myself [lit., in my heart], “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every matter [lit., delight] and for every deed is there. [This is viewing life from beyond the sun, beyond this life and this reality. This is the only way some can find solace in life’s injustices.]
A Reason For Suffering – Teach us Mortality vv.18-22
18 I said to myself [lit., in my heart] concerning the sons of men, “God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” [Here, and in the following verses, we see a reason for suffering – it teaches us we are mortal. Too often we forget.]
19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same [lit., and they have one fate]. 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 [or, futility].
20 All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust [outward man].
21 Who knows [This knowledge does not come from observing life under the sun.] that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? [A hint of life above the sun!]
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?
(NAS95)
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