Ecclesiastes 3:9-22

2. Working outside the framework of God's providence results in frustration and defeat. Ecclesiastes 3:9-22

TEXT 3:9-22

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 to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime,

13

moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his laborit is the gift of God.

14

I know that everything God does will remain forever, there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take away from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.

15

That which has been already, and that which shall be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.

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 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 come from dust and all return to dust.

21

Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?

22

And 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?

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 3:9-22

72.

Explain why Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Ecclesiastes 3:12 could be an answer to the question raised in verse nine.

73.

What has God given the sons of men? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:10)

74.

Even though God has placed the desire in men to know the ways of God, will they discover it? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11)

75.

What is the gift from God? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

76.

Explain what is meant by God seeks what has passed by. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:15)

77.

What stands in the place of justice and righteousness?

78.

Both the righteous and the wicked will come before God for what reason?

79.

What similarities exist between men and beasts? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:19-20)

80.

What difference between men and beasts is suggested? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:21)

81.

Does Solomon know that man's spirit will go upward when he dies? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 12:7)

82.

What is man's lot? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:22)

83.

Can man see into the future? Give evidence for your answer from the text.

PARAPHRASE 3:9-22

When man shares in all the events of life, and toils throughout the short time he has to live here under the sun, what profit does he have to hold in his hand? I have been around. I have seen the work that God has assigned to the sons of men to occupy them as they toil and labor during their lifetimes. Also, I clearly understand that God makes every thing right for an appropriate time. There is indeed a specific time and season for every affair under heaven. God has placed in the minds of men the desire to know and the ability to wonder concerning all the events, but men are unable to discover or find out the work of God from the beginning even to the end. I know that among men there is nothing better than to find pleasure and joy in one's lifetime. However, God does have a gift for men. It is not to understand the mysterious ways of God, but it is to be happy and find pleasure in living and see good in all of one's labor. One other thing I willingly admit: whatever God does will endure, nothing can be added and nothing can be subtracted. God works in this consistent way because of His very nature, and in order that men may stand in awe of Him. In addition, consider this! God will see to it that history repeats itself. That which was, now is; and that which is to be, has already been. (Is there anything of which one might say, See this, it is new?)
Let us look more closely under the sun. We shall discover disturbing things. I saw in the place where justice should be found that wickedness was there. I saw in the place where there should have been a just man, that there was an evildoer. I said to myself, Beware, evildoer! God will judge between you and the righteous man. And I also understand that there is a time when God will judge every delight of man and every deed. I said to myself, God lets things happen so he can purify the sons of men. In God's time, the true issues will be clearly seen, and men's real attitudes will be revealed. God permits men to see, that in themselves, they are only animals. Man really has no advantage over the animals. They both are subject to chance. They both suffer the same event: death comes to both. Both have the same breath. They are both subject to futility. Both go to the same place. Both come from the ground, and both are returning to the ground. Who among you can say that you know the spirit of man which ascends on high, or the spirit of the beast, which goes downward to the earth?
I am now more convinced than ever that man can do nothing better than rejoice in his works, do good in his lifetime, and make the most of each day. This is man's lot. No man can see what will occur in the future. Who can enable man to see what even tomorrow will bring?

COMMENT 3:9-22

Ecclesiastes 3:9 In this verse, we see a return to the original question of the book (Ecclesiastes 1:3). It is not necessarily introducing the material which is to follow, although this basic proposition is still under consideration, but it reflects on everything that has been stated previously. For the use of profit or advantage, see the comments on Ecclesiastes 1:3. That in which he toils refers to all of man's activities which are mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Ecclesiastes 3:10 Solomon's personal experience was very comprehensive. One need only review the details of his life, as referred to in Chapter s one and two, to be convinced that he is correct in saying that he has viewed the activities of men. He has called attention to the major areas of men's interests, and demonstrated how each generation finds itself engaged in the same activities. He calls it an evil (grievous, sorry) task (Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 2:26), that has occupied men in each generation. He declares that God has given the task to the sons of men, and in the next verse he explains what he means by saying that God gave it.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 The song writer picked up the theme of this verse with the words, Everything is beautiful in its own way. Solomon declares that God made everything beautiful (appropriate) in its time. To say God set eternity in the heart, is another way of saying that God gave men the task of occupying themselves. The meaning of the Hebrew word is widely debated. The context leads one to believe that it is speaking to a desire that God has placed in the heart to search out and to know. Hengstenberg writes that the word is never used except for unmeasured time. Some translate the word world while others prefer the idea of a sense of the infinite. One translation (The Anchor Bible) uses the term enigma to convey the idea intended. Every man does have the desire to explore the meaning of all the events of life, but it is not within him to discover the answers. A sense of awe does come to the mind when one thinks of the Creator (the Infinite One), but this only compounds his frustrations. An awareness of the differences that exist between men and the rest of God's created beings only intensifies the desire to probe and discover more and more. Yet, it is clearly stated that man will not find out the work which God has done. For additional study on man's desire to know and discover, study the following passages from Ecclesiastes: Ecclesiastes 7:23-24; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Ecclesiastes 8:7; Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 9:1; Ecclesiastes 11:5.

The beginning and end of God's work probably refers to the work which God does in relation to one's lifetime. This would be in harmony with the next verse as well as with Ecclesiastes 3:1-9. Some do explain it as the work of God that extends from eternity to eternity, but this appears to be out of harmony with the obvious purpose of the Preacher in this section. Because the task is grievous, one should not attribute the task itself to God. It is not God's fault that man does not have success in his investigation.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 The five-point exercise suggested here is at least a key to deriving some profit from life even if it is very meager. Man is instructed to (1) rejoice, (2) do good, (3) eat, (4) drink, and (5) see good in his labor. This same message is emphasized in Ecclesiastes 2:3; Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7. This reward is called a gift from God. Sometimes it is spoken of as coming from the hand of God (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 5:19). God is recognized as the One who provides. Whatever one includes in his enjoyment of life, it should be with the approval of God. Two clear statements undergird this truth. They are: Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works (Ecclesiastes 9:7). And, Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 Not only is everything God has made beautiful, good and appropriate, but all that He does is perfect. God is a complete Being, and therefore has complete order in all His creation. When one realizes this, and looks beyond it to see the nature of God, he stands in awe of Him. Each of the admonitions and challenges the Preacher sets forth in the book is based on the true nature of God. For example, he admonishes his audience when they go to the temple to worship God, that they should remember God is in heaven and they are upon the earth (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2). In other words, they are the created beings while God is the Creator. Men should recognize that God is the perfect, complete and authoritative Governor of His world. Men should learn to fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Because of this, the Christian appreciates the completeness of God. He says with the author of Hebrews that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We place our trust in the complete work of Christ (Hebrews 9:28) which was offered but once for our sins. We trust the complete sovereignty of God (Acts 17:24). We abide in His complete wisdom set forth in the act of saving grace. But to the reader of Ecclesiastes in Solomon's day, nothing of the blessings we have in Christ were realized. The context of this passage must be explained in the light of the frustration expressed in verses ten and eleven. As man routinely experiences the events of life, he sees that God's laws are in complete control of the times and the seasons. He learns to respect God because of His consistency and power, but he does not share in the knowledge that belongs only to God.

Some events appear to contradict God's sovereign control and completeness of order in His world. However, the statement, God seeks what has passed by assures the reader that any violation of the rules is only temporary, and in due season everything will return to proper order as it has always been.

It is precisely to this problem that the Preacher now speaks. He is primarily concerned through the remaining section of this chapter with one very apparent inequity: wickedness in the place of righteousness and justice. He then draws numerous observations concerning this. In the first section of chapter four, he is concerned about another problem. This time it is the oppression of innocent people with the authority on the side of evil men. He illustrates the violation of God's rules through two more examples. One has to do with an inordinate desire for earthly riches, while the other speaks to the fickleness of the citizens of the land. In each situation, he admits to the futility of the whole affair, and in view of the fact that God works out the times and seasons of justice, he resigns himself to the fact that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot (Ecclesiastes 3:22).

The obvious corruption in both places high and low throughout the world does not disturb the inner peace of the Christian. He has the advantage over the Preacher in Ecclesiastes for he knows Him who brings peace (John 14:27). He is not limited in his understanding to the message preached through nature, but has the final word from God in the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1).

Ecclesiastes 3:16 There is little doubt in the Preacher's mind that God's control of His world will eventually set all things rightbut this justice must have its appropriate time. In the meantime, life must be faced for what it is. It must be endured as it comes. This leads to some sobering observations. He discusses one such observation here: God's order is being prostituted by the corruption of evil men, and evildoers have control of the authoritative positions. Thus, justice is sacrificed for the sake of wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 3:17 Since he knows that God's laws will ultimately bear their own fruit, he muses to himself concerning the future state of the evildoers and also the righteous men. The translation in the NASV appears to be saying that both the wicked man and the righteous man will fall into God's judgment. While this is undoubtedly true, the better rendering is that God will judge between the wicked man and the righteous man. It is the wicked man who is in hard straights with God. The latter part of the verse speaks to the total concept that God makes everything appropriate in its time. It is in this context that the Preacher says, for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 So intense is the corruption of justice that he is led to conclude that man is no different from animals in many respects. God has surely tested them is to be understood that God has given them sufficient opportunity and time to declare their true character. The pressures of both authority and responsibility test a man. Some translate test as purify which implies that God waits patiently through the various experiences of life until He separates, winnows and proves men. The strength of the original text suffers some loss with the insertion of but beasts, or especially but as beasts, as the idea is that they are beasts. Numerous illustrations from history could be cited to verify this contention. When man is left to himself, without the benefit of the heavenly wisdom, he proves his beastly nature. When God elects to withhold punishment of sin for a season, the heart of man is set to do evil continually (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Note the similarities between men and beasts that are given:

(1)

Both have the same fate: death;

(2)

Both have the same breath;

(3)

Both are subjected to a short life (corruption);

(4)

Both go to the same place (grave);

(5)

Both come from dust;

(6)

Both return to dust;

(7)

One does not have an advantage over the other.

One can clearly see the differences between men and beasts; this is not the issue. It is the Preacher's purpose to convince his audience that once men begin moving in the direction of wickedness and forsake justice and righteousness that they become as beasts.

Ecclesiastes 3:21 This is a difficult verse to translate because the Hebrew has three possibilities. (1) It may be a question (Ecclesiastes 2:19); (2) It may suggest maybe; or (3) It actually affirms through a question (Ecclesiastes 8:1). The correct understanding, therefore, will come through a study of the context, and in this case, a study of the greater context.

There is little doubt that Solomon is writing through inspiration. In addition to such statements as 2 Timothy 3:16, there is the internal claim of Ecclesiastes 12:11. The difference in the destiny of the breath or spirit of the beast and the man is clearly taught in Ecclesiastes 12:7: then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. But, it is not the differences but the similarities that are under consideration. Therefore, it is not a question of debate as to the differences between men and beasts, or of the obvious destinies of each, but what Solomon is saying is this, Who can understand their spirits? Or to put it differently, he is saying, It is difficult to believe that man can behave with such beast-like characteristics! Who can understand the spirit of either?

Ecclesiastes 3:22 This would make the final thought of the chapter a very natural conclusion. The Preacher knows that the spirit of man will return to God who created it. This is not his concern at this point. His question concerns the profit to be gained by the one who has to live out his life in the short span of time and in the difficult days ahead (Ecclesiastes 3:9). He recognizes that life under the sun is a grievous task. He now admits that it is filled with social injustices. He knows that in God's due season he will see how God works to bring about justice and order, but it is far from him to explain the ways of God. He is assured only of God's consistency, and thus on the basis of God's past performance, he concludes that man should not fret over either what he does not know or what he cannot change. In the light of this reasoning he says, And 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?

Some see in the twenty-first verse a simple acknowledgment on Solomon's part that some do not take to heart the differences that exist between men and beasts. While this does not satisfy the context, it does offer an idea that is needful. There are many ways in which men and beasts are similar, but there is also a vast way in which they differ. One cannot read the book without recognizing the challenge on every page to rise above the eroding pressures of life and get the most from living. One is challenged to exercise wisdom, worship God correctly, demonstrate benevolence, and remember God. The differences between men and beasts are obvious. Further, sinners would not liken themselves to beasts. It would take a preacher to do that! The man who is under consideration in the closing verse of this section is not the evildoer. He is the good man. He cannot see the future or the events which shall befall him, but he is convinced that he will trust God and be happy in the activities of the day. This does not mean that the Preacher will not soon be in the valley of despair, looking again at the activities under the sun, and pointing out the discouraging events of life. However, for the moment, he has his readers on a high plateau, receiving a fresh breath of air before descending once again to the reality of life under the sun.

FACT QUESTIONS 3:9-22

136.

Solomon makes it clear that in this section he is seeking to do what? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:9)

137.

What does which he toils have reference to? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:9)

138.

In what sense can it be said that God gives this task to men?

139.

What does the term eternity mean as it is used here? What do you think the meaning of the word in the context is?

140.

What is meant by the beginning and end?

141.

What five things is man instructed to do if he wants to show a profit? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

142.

Give evidence from Ecclesiastes what enjoyment from the hand of God means with God's approval.

143.

What brings man to stand in awe of God?

144.

Has God lost control of His world because some events are out of harmony with His expressed will? Discuss.

145.

What is the first evil that is apparent to the Preacher? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:16)

146.

Will both the wicked man and the righteous man be judged? Discuss.

147.

Explain the purpose of the testing of men. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:18)

148.

What does purify imply?

149.

Why does he go to such lengths to show the similarities between men and beasts?

150.

Read verse twenty-one from different translations. Give three reasons why the verse is difficult to translate.

151.

Is the debate here over the eternal nature of man's spirit? Discuss.

152.

Write out your own paraphrase of verse twenty-two.

153.

List the reasons Solomon came to this conclusion.