We are made for eternity. Ecclesiastes 3.9-11
Ecclesiastes 3 (2)
Pray Psalm 147.11, 12.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
Read Ecclesiastes 3.9-11.
Prepare.
1. How was Solomon feeling about what he had seen in life?
2. What kind of creatures are human beings?
Meditate.
The question Solomon raised in verse 9 reaches back to chapters 1 and 2. He’s recalling “the burdensome task” assigned us by God (1.13, 14), as well as the mess he’d made of that task (ch. 2). He wants to bring his thoughts and work back to a proper “under heaven” perspective. In verse 13, he will answer the question he raised in verse 9.
In Ecclesiastes 1.13 and 14, Solomon launched into an “under the sun” section of his life. In our verses for today, he is telling us where he has come out: seeing life as God sees it. Solomon certainly strayed from the path of wisdom; however, here he indicates that, in his old age, he has returned (“I have seen…” v. 10).
From the perspective of God, and faith in Him, the world is laced with beauty; and people, who are made in the divine image (“eternity in their hearts”) are able to see and appreciate the beauty of life. When we trust in God, we don’t have to figure everything out; we can rest in the One Who knows perfectly, and trust in Him to do all things well. We cannot know exhaustively, so as to explain everything completely. But we can know truly, as long as God is our ultimate frame of reference.
In the divine economy we don’t have to know all the answers to life’s conundrums. Still, we have the God-given task of learning as much as we can. We can expect to encounter many difficulties, trials, and challenges. We must certainly try to understand these, as far as we are able. However, in the end, we accept by faith that God knows all things, has a place and purpose for everything, and is able to accomplish His purpose through any situation.
Our duty is to wait on Him and seek the wisdom He will give us to live for Him each day.
Reflect.
1. What evidence do you see that God has “put eternity” in the hearts of human beings?
2. Why can we not “find out the work that God does from beginning to end”? What is the role of faith in coming to know anything?
3. How would you answer the question Solomon posed in verse 9?
Of all these things there is not one either idle or useless. Not even the meanest of them—the hair, or the nails, or such like—is so; but all have their service to do, and all their contribution to make, some of them to the soundness of bodily constitution and others of them to beauty of appearance. For Providence cares not only for the useful but also for the seasonable and beautiful. Dionysius of Alexandria (d. ca. 264), Fragment 1.4
Everything in my life has a place in my calling to serve You, Lord. Help me to know the things and people in my life as You know them, so that I…
Pray Psalm 147.6-13.
Commit your day to the Lord, to knowing Him in it and serving Him through it in all you do, with all you have.
Sing Psalm 147.6-13.
Psalm 147.6-13(St. Ann: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
The humble God exalts above; the wicked He casts down.
Sing thanks to this great God of love; let songs of praise abound.
He brings refreshing rain to earth and feeds the beasts so dear.
He puts in man’s strength naught of worth, but loves those who God fear.
O praise your God, Jerusalem, O Zion, praise the Lord!
He strengthens those who trust in Him with blessings from His Word
T. M. Moore
Where does the book of Ecclesiastes fit in the overall flow of Scripture? Our series of studies, God’s Covenant, can show you, and help you discover the great beauty of the unity and diversity of Scripture, and how it all points to Christ. To order your copy of this important workbook, click here.
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).
