Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3 Ecclesiastes 3: Key verse – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity into man’s heart.” 11 Read Ecclesiastes 3 v.1-8—These verses are a description of the cycle of life. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” v.1 Life involves the repeating of the same old routing over which we have no control. Do you recognize these cycles in your own life? Are there any that Solomon has missed? In the grand scheme of our relatively short lives, we can only see a fraction of time’s movement. As we try to make sense of our part in the vastness of time, we realize that it is tremendously insignificant. v.9-10—“What do workers gain from their toil?” This is not a financial question but rather a more foundational one—basically, “What is the point of going to work? So I can make money to buy food to stay alive so I can go to work again?”—and the cycle repeats. But v.10 tells us there is more than that: “I have seen the burden that God has laid on the human race.” In other words, this burden that we bear is a God given burden. What do you think about that? v.11—“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Here the Teacher shows us a way to interpret life’s cyclical drudgery. In essence, he is reminding us that God created a pristine world full of beauty that He set in time and space and He made us for companionship. Death and frustration were not designed into that system but we turned our backs on His plan and therefore the cycles of life feel futile. We will be dissatisfied until we know Him. How can we keep an eternal perspective? v.12-13—The teacher identifies what is good in life…what God has given to us as a gift: To eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil. Nothing is better than to be happy and to do good while we live. The person who trusts God can accept this cycle as a God-given gift and find meaning in all they do and do it to God’s glory. The mundane becomes magnificent! The unbeliever will find it all to be utterly meaningless. Do you see this distinction in our world? v.14-15—The Teacher comes to terms with his lack of control over events. He knows that God’s works and purposes endure forever. His significance is ultimately not in himself but in his identity in God. This is true for all believers—we were made for God’s pleasure. We exist for someone other than ourselves. When we have this perspective, our entire worldview changes. Have you thought about the fact that you were made for God’s pleasure? v.16-17—The Teacher then observes the reality of life on earth: In the places of judgment and justice, wickedness is there. This can lead to despair and hopelessness but the Teacher assures us that God will judge the righteous and the wicked—justice and righteousness will prevail in God’s time. Is it important to have this knowledge? v.18-21—The Teacher reflects on the common fate of humans and animals. His comparison emphasizes the mortality and frailty of human life. Despite our intellect and achievements we share the same end as animals. It is humbling and sobering to reflect on this shared destiny and on the mystery of life after death. Yet these observations and ponderings are good and lead to a deeper appreciation of life and a recognition of our dependence on God now and forever. What do you think of this observation? v.22—The end of the chapter gives us some practical encouragement: Contentment and joy are truly rare treasures. Finding them in the present despite life’s uncertainties and injustices is a goal to be pursued and a gift to be cherished. While we may not understand all of God’s plans, we can trust Him and find fulfillment in all He has set or will set in our paths. How does this reality affect your life? Summary: Matthew 10:29-31 tells us of God’s care for us. We are part of God’s plan. He created us to have relationship with Him for eternity. He has set the cycles of life and we can find great meaning and fulfillment in them if we keep a proper perspective of life, of who we are, and of who He is.