Part 3 of 3
We have been looking at Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. In verses 1-8, we have a description of everything in time, and then in verses 9-11, we read about two different responses to this description, namely, the unbelieving response and the believing response.
This brings us to the concluding section from verses 12-15, where we learn another two things based on the two “I knows” of this section.
First, we learn, from verses 12 and 13, that life is to be enjoyed as a gift from God. Instead of complaining against God’s sovereign control over all things and being frustrated that we are unable to fully understand everything that goes on, we should rather acknowledge our limitations, rejoice in God’s gifts, and gladly and gratefully receive all His blessings to us.
Life is meant to be enjoyed and to be satisfying, yes even the simple and basic things of life like eating and drinking and labouring. But that is only possible when it is done in God’s presence. True joy and satisfaction comes from the hand of God, as we saw in chapter 2.
Second, we learn, from verses 14 and 15, that God’s plans and works are eternal and thus we must fear Him. Verse 14 tells us that whatever God does endures and no one can change His plan. God has set the times of all things. His works endure forever. They are complete and without defect, and no one can add to them or subtract from them.
God is working out His plan in all events at all times. And He does that so that men may fear Him. In other words, the practical fruit of knowing about God’s sovereignty over all things should be the fear of God.
In verse 15, Solomon tells us that the work of God is the same in every age. There is a uniformity and repetitiveness to life. The things which we read of in verses 2-7 repeat themselves again and again many times over and from one generation to another.
A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to uproot; a time to weep, a time to laugh and so on and so on. But these are not meaningless cycles for they serve God’s purpose and everything is under His control and direction.
The implication of this is that our true security is found in God alone. If He is the eternal God, whose works are perfect and endure forever, and we are but mere creatures, whose works soon pass away and are often defective, then the only logical conclusion is to put our trust in Him. God alone can give us security and stability in a world that is controlled by Him.
Conclusion
And so, we’ve looked at the two major sections of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.
From the first section (vv. 1-8) on the description of everything in time, we learn that there is an appropriate time and season for everything that happens in this world, from the time of one’s birth till the time of one’s death and everything else in between. Far from being masters of our own destiny, we are all subject to the march of time.
From the second section (vv. 9-15) on the two different responses to this same description, we learn that if you respond in a way that leaves God out of the picture, then you will be left with nothing but hopelessness and despair.
What is the use of doing anything at all when you have no ultimate control over your own life and times, and everything may be taken away from you in a moment, and in fact will be taken away from you at death?
The way to escape this despair and hopelessness is to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all things, to view this present life from the perspective of eternity, to recognize our limitations in understanding the affairs of this world, to enjoy life as a gift of God, and to find our security and stability in God alone.
And we can only do all these things through Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who entered into time in order to redeem us from the tyranny of time that has come upon us because of our sin and rebellion.
It is only in Him that we have the assurance that everything in time will work out for our final and ultimate good. It is only in Christ that we can escape the horrors of eternal death and enjoy the blessings of eternal life. It is only in Him that life becomes truly meaningful and satisfying. And it is only in Him that we can have a firm foundation upon the shifting sands of time.
What is your view of time? Is it something that is on your side or is it working against you? Is it your friend or your foe? That answer ultimately depends on your relationship to the maker of time.
If you’re an unbeliever, then time is always working against you. Time is running out for you, regardless of which stage of life you’re at, whether you’re young or old. You are constantly under the tyranny of time. You have no ultimate control over the times of your life. Time and events have no ultimate goal and purpose for you.
You need to seek the eternal God, who has placed eternity in your heart, through His Son Jesus Christ, who alone can redeem you from the oppressive and frightening march of time. Repent of your sins and cast yourself fully upon the One who controls time, and who makes all things beautiful in its time.
But if you are a believer, then be assured and comforted that time is and always will be on your side, regardless of your present state and condition. Not only do you have eternity in your hearts but you have an eternity of joy and blessedness ahead of you!
O may you rejoice in the Lord Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, because through Him, you have been raised high above the seemingly chaotic and terrifying march of time. Someday, the time to die, to kill, to weep, to mourn, to rend, to lose, to cast away, to hate, and to fight will forever be over, and we shall enjoy an eternity of laughter, love and peace.
But for the time being, let’s be comforted that even in the midst of death and trouble and sorrow and pain, we have confidence that our Heavenly Father guides and protects us through them all, and uses them to make us more like His dear Son. Let this thought encourage us as we face the new year ahead with all of its uncertainties and challenges. Remember that every event and moment in time has been sovereignly appointed by Him.
But just one final thought before I end. The purpose of this passage is not only to comfort believers, but also to stir us up to fear the LORD. I remind us again of verse 14, which says, “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”
This truth that our sovereign God appoints the times of all things should lead us to stand in constant awe of Him. Perhaps the reason why we don’t fear God as we should is because we have forgotten that He alone is the One who sovereignly controls all things.
We sometimes like to think that we are in charge of our own life and times, and that we have everything under our control. But that is not so. In fact, that is one of Satan’s lies. The truth is that we are utterly and completely dependent on Him, every moment of every day and of every month and of every year. God has set the time of our birth and the time of our death and everything in between. It is when we think more deeply and carefully on our sovereign and eternal God, and our utter dependence on Him, that we will stand in awe of Him, and approach Him with fear and reverence.
May that be so for us all. Amen.