Ecclesiastes 3 - Introduction
_BY THE NECESSARY CHANGE OF TIMES, VANITY IS ADDED TO HUMAN TRAVAIL. THERE IS AN EXCELLENCY IN GOD'S WORKS: BUT AS FOR MAN, GOD SHALL JUDGE HIS WORKS THERE, AND HERE HE SHALL BE LIKE A BEAST._... [ Continue Reading ]
_BY THE NECESSARY CHANGE OF TIMES, VANITY IS ADDED TO HUMAN TRAVAIL. THERE IS AN EXCELLENCY IN GOD'S WORKS: BUT AS FOR MAN, GOD SHALL JUDGE HIS WORKS THERE, AND HERE HE SHALL BE LIKE A BEAST._... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON— _There is a fixed season for every thing; nay, all the determinations of man's will under heaven have their proper time._ Solomon says of all things in general, that they have an _appointed season;_ or, according to the propriety of the word זמן _zeman,_ a _prepared... [ Continue Reading ]
A TIME TO CAST AWAY STONES— This is differently understood. Calmet says, it may either signify, "a time to cast away stones with a sling, and a time to collect them again into a bag:" or, "A time to cast stones on a field to render it barren, and a time to collect the stones out of a field to render... [ Continue Reading ]
A TIME TO LOVE, &C.— The _third proof_ the proposition laid down in the beginning, and comprised in Ecclesiastes 3:1 is taken from the endless vicissitude of things in this world, and especially of those which depend on our choice. There is nothing that a man can fix upon, of which it is in his powe... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT PROFIT HATH HE THAT WORKETH, &C.— _What remaineth to him that worketh from that upon which he bestoweth his labour?_ The consequence of the preceding proof is obvious. It is not in the power of men to get by that which is properly their own work, and the result of their choice, any thing that t... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO HE HATH SET THE WORLD IN THEIR HEART— _He hath even set that eternity in their hearts, without which no man can find out the design of that work which God hath done from beginning to end._ The word עלם _olam,_ rendered _time_ in our version, but here _eternity,_ Mr. Desvoeux has fully proved to... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER GOD DOETH— _Whatsoever God shall do, the same shall be for ever._ Desvoeux.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH HATH BEEN, IS NOW, &C.— The second observation which serves also for a transition to the consequences to be inferred from the whole, and which is contained in Ecclesiastes 3:12 is, that God directs all the events wherein we are any way concerned, by an unvariable providence. A constant an... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOREOVER, I SAW, &C.— _Moreover, I observed under the sun the place of judgment; there I saw iniquity: and the place of righteousness; there I saw wickedness._—Ver. 17. _Then I concluded in my heart,_ &c. There is a strong opposition observable in this passage between _iniquity_ and _judgment,_... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT GOD MIGHT MANIFEST, &C.— _That I should assert God, and see that they themselves are beasts._ Desvoeux.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO KNOWETH THE SPIRIT OF MAN, &C.— _Who knoweth the breath of the sons of man, whether it ascendeth upward; and the breath of a brute, whether it descendeth downward to the earth?_ We have, from Ecclesiastes 3:18 to the present, the 2nd _corollary._ The being of a God, his attributes, and supreme s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE I PERCEIVE, &C.— _Lastly, I perceived that there is nothing better in the labour of man, than that he should receive pleasure from it; because this is his portion: for who shall bring him back to enjoy what shall be hereafter?_ This verse contains the third _corollary._ Since it is not giv... [ Continue Reading ]