Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ecclesiastes 3
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ecclesiastes 3
"For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith." — Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 (ASV)
To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world must end in disappointment. To reconcile ourselves with our state in life is our duty and wisdom in this world.
God's whole plan for the government of the world will be found altogether wise, just, and good. Then let us seize the favourable opportunity for every good purpose and work.
The time to die is fast approaching. Thus, labour and sorrow fill the world. This is given to us so that we may always have something to do; none were sent into the world to be idle.
"He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away." — Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 (ASV)
Everything is as God made it; not as it appears to us.
We have the world so much in our hearts, and are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has also formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works.
We are mistaken if we think we were born for ourselves. No, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain. We have little time to be doing good; therefore, we should redeem time.
Satisfaction with Divine Providence is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him.
The world, as it has been, is, and will be. No change has befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.
"And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?" — Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 (ASV)
Without the fear of the Lord, a person is merely vanity; if that is set aside, judges will not use their power well. And there is another Judge who stands before the door. With God there is a time for the redressing of grievances, though we do not yet see it. Solomon seems to express his wish that people might perceive that by choosing this world as their portion, they brought themselves to a level with the beasts, without being free, as beasts are, from present vexations and a future account.
Both return to the dust from where they were taken. What little reason we have to be proud of our bodies or bodily accomplishments! But just as no one can fully comprehend, so few properly consider the difference between the rational soul of a human being and the spirit or life of the beast. The human spirit goes upward to be judged, and is then fixed in an unchangeable state of happiness or misery. It is just as certain that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth; it perishes at death.
Surely their case is lamentable, whose highest hope and wish is that they might die like beasts. Let our inquiry be how an eternity of existence may be to us an eternity of enjoyment. To answer this question is the grand design of revelation. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God and the Hope of sinners.
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