Ecclesiastes 3
Notes
Transcript
Handout
All Is Hevel
All Is Hevel
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What gain has the worker from his toil?
10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.
18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.
19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.
20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?
22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
English Standard Version Chapter 3
The God-Given Task
9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
From Dust to Dust
16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
The Questions
"What gain has the worker from his toil?" (Verse 9)
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?" (Verse 22)
"Who can make straight what he has made crooked?"
"For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?" (Verse 22, a question in the context of not knowing what is to come after one's life)
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?" (Verse 22, reiteration of the uncertainty about future events following one's life)
What gain has the worker from his toil?
This question confronts us with the dilemma of purpose. In the constant grind of work and labor, what is the ultimate purpose? You could argue that our labor, in itself, has no value apart from God. But our work becomes meaningful when we understand it as a part of God’s design, and contributes to His glory.
Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
This question speaks to our limitations in the face of an unknowable future. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, who alone knows and ordains what will happen in the future. This question can serve as a humbling reminder to us to place our trust not in our understanding but in God's providential care.
Who can make straight what he has made crooked?
This question can be interpreted as a rhetorical statement about the inability of us to correct our flawed nature or our imperfections. This aligns well with the doctrine of total depravity and the need for God's grace to intervene and "make straight" what is inherently "crooked."
For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?
This question reflects the brevity and uncertainty of life, emphasizing our limitations in grasping what is truly good.We recognize that God as the ultimate source of all that is good, as well as the giver of a meaningful life.
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"
This question tackles the issue of mortality and the enigma of what lies beyond. It echoes the theme of life's transience and futility, illustrating the human limitation in discerning what happens after we pass away.
So when we look at “What gain has the worker from his toil?
We see that Jesus provides the answer to this question of life's labor and toil. In Matthew 11:28-30, Christ invites those who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him for rest. In out work, it is in Christ that our works gains eternal significance. We are co-laborers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9), and our work becomes a form of worship when done unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Application:
Talk about the dissatisfaction people often feel in their jobs or daily routines.
Encourage them to view their work as a form of worship unto God.
This can be as simple as cooking a meal for a family, teaching a class, or running a business.
When done unto the Lord, even mundane tasks take on eternal significance.
Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
The New Testament provides us hope for the future through the resurrection of Jesus. He has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3), He secures our eternal destiny. This future hope gives meaning to our life and labors, confirming the idea that our work here isn't futile but contributes to a His Kingdom that has no end.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Application:
In a world rife with uncertainties—economic downturns, health crises, social unrest—our assurance is that Christ holds the future. This should embolden your congregation to live faithfully, not fearfully, knowing that their future is secure in Christ's hands.
our assurance is that Christ holds the future.
This should embolden us to live faithfully, not fearfully, knowing that our future is secure in Christ's hands.
Who can make straight what he has made crooked?
This question aligns with the Christian doctrine of redemption. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus "makes straight" what sin has made "crooked." Jesus redeems us, sanctifies us, and will ultimately glorify us (Romans 8:30). His work on the cross addresses our total depravity, providing the grace we need for righteousness.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Application:
We all have areas in their lives that they wish they could "straighten out," whether it's a strained relationship, a persistent sin, or a life circumstance.
Reiterate the doctrine of total depravity and emphasize that only through God's grace can these crooked paths be made straight.
Use the culinary analogy of a complex recipe: just as one missing or incorrect ingredient can spoil the dish, so can our efforts to make life "straight" fail.
The essential ingredient is the grace offered through Christ.
For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?
Jesus, embodies goodness, and answers this question by offering us the abundant life (John 10:10). The Holy Spirit teaches us that life finds its highest good in a relationship with Jesus. Our days may be few and filled with "Hevel," but in Christ, they are infused with eternal significance and goodness.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Application:
In the face of life's brevity and vanity, the we can find true goodness and lasting impact only in a relationship with Jesus.
You can discuss how people often chase after what they think is "good" — money, fame, success, or even a perfectly prepared dish — only to find these things transient and ultimately unsatisfying.
The 'good life,' according to Reformed theology, is a life lived in the light of God’s glory and grace.
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"
"Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"
Jesus not only secures our future but also promises eternal life. Through His resurrection, He has defeated death and offers us a vision of what comes after—eternal life with Him. In the Gospel of John 14:2-3, Jesus assures us that He is going to prepare a place for us, bringing clarity and hope to what will be "after him."
John 14:2-3
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Application:
We may have many fears and questions about death and what comes next. Even in our culture that often avoids the topic of mortality, this is a question that looms in the background. Because of Christ, death and resurrection death loses its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55). Knowing our future is secure in Him, we are free to live lives of boldness, purpose, and joyful anticipation of eternity.