Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

It’s been almost a month since we’ve been in Ecclesiastes. My dad was here last week, and he and I were talking about this book of Ecclesiastes, and he said he finds it so hard to read and comprehend because it’s so depressing…My dad knows I have little tolerance for whiners. NOW, being a pastor, I must admit, my tolerance for whiners has increased BECAUSE I have learned that sometimes to get to the heart of a problem, you need to get all the bad ideas out, right? But I told my dad, I’ve always looked at this book is written by a big whiner! Everything sucks, everything is bad, nothing really matters. And this is supposed to be the man who asked God for Wisdom and he gave him the most out of anyone.

What do we know about Solomon? He was wealthy beyond anyone’s expectations. He was wiser than all others UNTIL Jesus. He had a lot of wives, and probably a lot of children. In turn, he was a terrible father, we know this because his son Rehoboam, what do we learn about him? He split the kingdom because he listened to his friends instead of his father’s counsel. If you spend any time around me, if my kids ask me a question, I want to have an answer for them. I don’t blow them off, I want my kids to know I’m a trusted authority in their lives. I want to be their authority, why? Because if they can’t come to me, they’re going to get their information from someone else, which means I have to have a why when I answer. An “It is written.” I want them to challenge my answer and see if it holds water. It’s my job to teach them that bad company corrupts good character. Is that a concept from pre-Solomon that he would have known about? Deuteronomy 7:1–4 “1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, 2 and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.”

Why would Solomon know this passage of scripture? BECAUSE HE HAD TO WRITE IT DOWN. It was a requirement for the rulers to write the law down and know it. It disappears after Solomon because Rehoboam didn’t have any respect for the Word of God anymore. Solomon was clearly too busy trying to figure out what would satisfy him, to the point he laments the fact that our kids will destroy the things we worked for BECAUSE THEY NEVER TOILED AND WORKED TO ATTAIN THEM. We as people, understand COST, everything in our lives has a price on it, doesn’t it? But we have a hard time wrapping our minds around WORTH. With that in mind, let’s pray and get into today’s scripture.

Ecclesiastes 11:1–2 NKJV

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. 2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

This is where Solomon would usually lose me…these last few chapters seem like a rambling man just saying whatever comes to his mind. But, if you take your time to hear what he’s saying, you catch it. I won’t ask for hands, but how many of us have cast bread crumbs in the water before? What happens? Either ducks eat it, or fish, OR they spread out and disintegrate into the water. Do you ever find it again? Does it ever come back? What in the WORLD does Solomon mean here? Glad you asked…here’s what I think:

The bread he’s talking about is our riches, or wealth, our possessions, our advice, anything we can give away freely. The Lord says in Luke 6:38 “38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”” What else is symbolic of bread? John 6:35 “35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” and in Isaiah 55:10–11 “10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

If you give, and give freely, the Lord will return it to you. It may not be here on earth, but it your faith will be rewarded. Blind faith need not apply…but knowing that which you do as unto the Lord, He will bless and bless abundantly. Be faithful, be generous.

Verse 2 says give a serving to seven, and also to Eight. Again, good one Solomon…do any of you know what the number 7 means in scripture? It’s a symbol of completeness, it’s the foundation of God’s Word. So, what could 8 mean? It’s symbolic of a new creation, of being born again. Can you think of something specific that was supposed to happen on the 8th day? Hebrew babies were to be circumcised, right? Why 8 days? That’s the day after a sabbath week. Now, Andy has been teaching us in Galatians that Paul dispelled arguments about the circumcision that it’s not the actual act of circumcision that’s important, but the circumcision of your heart, when you cut away from what was before for you do not know what evil will be on the earth. Solomon is unwittingly pointing to Jesus here. God knows though. Sabbath day is Saturday. Sunday-Thursday is 5 days. Passover is a High Sabbath, which means there are 2 Sabbath days, one Friday, on Saturday. So, let’s count them out. 5 days +2 Sabbath days + next day = 8 days. Solomon is calling to the Jews, without knowing it, Solomon wasn’t a prophet, he’s pointing them directly to Jesus.

Don’t discount why a book is in the Bible. When you study it, it comes alive. Does that excite anyone else? Let’s see what else we find here:

Ecclesiastes 11:3–4 NKJV

3 If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Well Duh? Right? Dark clouds bring rain, trees fall and don’t move. Face value, I get it. Well, let’s look at this in light of casting our bread into the water. When we bless others, what happens to us? We get blessed, right? Is rain a renewable resource? Yep, it’s cyclical. When the clouds are full of rain, they bring rain! If you’re doing things right in the Lord’s eyes, say you’re about to get married. My wife and I lived with each other before we got married. But, when we were asked a simple question (more than once mind you): Do you want the Lord to bless your marriage? We made the choice that Hollie would stay in the house, and I would move to a camper in my best friend’s field. I’ll tell you what, those were the best 3 months of my life. They were hard, but they were good. And, if you ask me, our marriage has been blessed. If you want to ask her, you can, but we all know I’ve been more blessed.

Now, if these rain clouds can bring showers of blessings…how about the contrast with the tree. What happens to that tree? It’s dead now, right? Death is a part of the curse that sin brought on the earth. Wherever that tree falls, there it will lie. Is it renewable? Does the tree come back to life? No, it decays doesn’t it. When we’re doing the things we want to do, we lose sight of the best things. And we end up where Solomon is…everything is hevel, everything is vanity. My life is going to decay and end with me unless things change.

4 - When you’re sowing seed, what is your worst enemy? Wind. It’s also difficult if you’re a balloon animal also, right? Wind will carry that seed where you don’t want it to go. You want to sow your seed on a calm day. What happens when you start to watch the forecast, then watch the wind closely so it’s not over 3.7mph…you get paralyzed don’t you. It’s never just good enough. What about the clouds in the sky? We just established they can stand for a blessing, right? What can they do to a harvest though? They can ruin it, can’t they? You can’t go out slogging in the mud and harvest. It’s foolish…so, again, you wait for the perfect day. 7 days from the last rain, that’s when you have in your mind it’s safe to go out. I don’t know if that’s a rule of thumb, but it’s an analogy.

Luke 5:1–11 “1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”

You’ve probably heard this modern parable: 2 farmers pray for rain. One goes and watches the sky, the other one starts preparing his field. Which one has more faith? Does the Lord call us to crazy things sometimes? Luke 5 was set in the day, fish aren’t dumb, they know people are fishing in during the day, they can see them. Jesus said, “You think it’s crazy, but I want you to do it.” My dad would say “Just humor me.” Being obedient and not getting caught up in the plans, in the patterns, in the forecast, but JUST DOING WHAT YOU’RE ASKED TO DO is so confusing sometimes! Lord, I don’t want to do that - GOTCHA! That’s where the Lord finds me. He goes “Oh, so you don’t want to do what I’ve called you to do huh?” That’s where I must respond, OK Lord, I get it. Not my plans, your plans. Isaiah 55:8–9 “8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

We can be blessed by the rain, and distracted by the clouds, we can also be paralyzed by the wind, just like the tree that falls. Love is an action word. Faith is an action word. Make sense now? Let’s look at the next verses:

Ecclesiastes 11:5–6 NKJV

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.

What is the acronym we use for the word BIBLE - Basic INSTRUCTIONS Before Leaving Earth. Who reads instruction manuals? What do instruction manuals tell you? HOW TO USE THINGS. Solomon is reminding us for the last time in his life, we don’t know what we don’t know. God left us instructions to follow. In case of emergency, open this book. That’s usually where we start, right? Crisis hits us and we go “Hmm, I wonder what this book says.” We know a lot more today than they did back then, but we’re still in the dark about so many things. Trust in the Lord. Cast out into the deep and let Him lead you in the waters. You don’t know what’s coming, but you’ll learn.

Verse 6 is, again, encouraging us to sow the seed to harvest, and when you harvest, be generous, be hospitable. You don’t know what good will come, but something will. Wisdom comes from trying a lot of things and observing others try stuff too and cataloguing that in our minds. Just do it. If God is calling you to something, DO IT. Let your light so shine! You don’t know, but He does. Take pleasure in His work. It’s worth it. Believe me, since I’ve been doing what the Lord has called me to, my struggle with sin is so much different. I don’t want to get out of this groove.

Ecclesiastes 11:7–8 NKJV

7 Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; 8 But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.

Isn’t it the little things that captivate us? Creation is one of them. Just walking around with Pastor Paul and Lucy last week, we went on a winter hike around Legion Lake…and just looking at the places where you could sit and be. I told them I look forward to taking my paddleboard out, sitting down with my Bible and just letting that time of silence set in. It’s beautiful to take that time. Seeing a child get what you’ve spent time teaching them. The budding of a new relationship, etc…We must remember though, many dark days will come. What do we do when things get tough?

I tell people all the time, don’t let your past define you. Don’t let who you were, get in the way of who you are, and hinder you from becoming what the Lord wants you to be. But don’t forget those times. What does the Bible teach us about those times?

Psalm 90:12 “12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 112:1–4 “1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”

Genesis 50:20 “20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Job 23:10 “10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Psalm 74:16 “16 The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.”

The day is YOURS, the night is YOURS. Bill was just teaching the kids on Wednesday night the dichotomy of light and darkness. I’ve asked him to teach that this communion Sunday coming up, so I won’t spoil it. BUT, Who made the light? Who made the darkness? The Lord did. In Psalm 23:4 “4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Darkness and shadow prove there is light. Where is the Lord when we are in those dark times? He’s with us, carrying a staff to reach for us, and a rod to protect us. What does Solomon teach us though thru this book? We get lost in the hevel, in the vapor. We get distracted. Sometimes the rod is the idiot stick. Reminding us to walk THRU the valley, not be enamored by it.

What do those dark times teach us though? Why does God allow us to struggle? I’ll tell you why. Because He loves you, but not just you…all of you! Sometimes he needs to say “Hey, you are stronger here, I’m going to put you thru a trial in view of these people because I know you can handle it.” What did God say to the devil about Job? Job 1:8 “8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”” What does he do to him? He takes everything from him, his riches, his family, turns his wife against him, puts terrible friends around him to try to sway him. The devil has no new tricks, and realize, God’s not picking on you! He is faithful! Endure affliction to the end. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Husbands and wives, those hard times serve a purpose. Kids, those tough lessons have a purpose. What the enemy uses to destroy you, God will use in his time to save lives. Your struggle matters to the Lord. Bring Him glory in it. Let those dark times remind you of the light, shadows are empty and temporary.

Ecclesiastes 11:9–10 NKJV

9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.

Be balanced, we’ll all stand before the Lord. Don’t choke the happiness out of people! Don’t choke out your kids! I’m working on a rule with me…if there’s laughter, I let it ride. I monitor, because sometimes laughter can be inappropriate, but if kids are playing and laughing, I want them to build on those experiences. Like I said though, monitor those times parents, because that question will be asked by the Lord: “Why did you allow that?” The Lord wants us to have full, productive, joy filled lives. IF ONLY we would pursue those for righteousness sake.

John 5:22–29 “22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

Remove sorrow from your heart, put away evil…the prime of your life comes and goes like a snap. A redeemed person is a changed person. I struggle with people who are OK with their sin, like it’s a dry erase board, you just wipe it away, until you do it again. Falling in your sin should be hard on you. We run to it because it’s in our stronghold, like we talked about a few weeks ago. We’re witnessing Israel right now dig out strongholds where the enemy is deeply entrenched. They’re teaching us visibly what we should be doing spiritually. War is messy, so is surgery. It’s hard, but you have to do it, and you have to be the one who’s leading the charge. Nobody can want to get rid of your sin more than you do or you will fail…you’ll listen to the ceasefire calls from the enemy and you’ll lose.

At the beginning of this message, I mentioned 2 words that Christ knew well. The words COST and WORTH. What are the definitions of these words.

COST: the price paid to acquire, produce, accomplish, or maintain anything

WORTH: The quality that renders something desirable, useful, or valuable.

We know what it cost Jesus on the cross to pay the penalty for us. It took his blood, and nothing less than all of it. He shed it all the way from Caiaphas’ house to Golgotha. Why? Why would he do that? Well, to know the cost, you have to understand the worth of what you’re paying for, right? What are you worth? This world drives us to believe we are worthless. We treat people like commodities, trading them around like they’re baseball cards. Why sell drugs when you can sell yourself or someone else again and again and again?

What does it take? Why do we not see? Jesus counted the cost, he paid the price. We’re not worthless, we’re PRICELESS. It wasn’t the nails that held him on the cross. It was His love for us. He knows your worth. Don’t let your past define you. Don’t let who you were, get in the way of who you are, and hinder you from becoming what the Lord wants you to be. Don’t think he didn’t know what would happen to you, what he would have to pay for, because he did, and he did it anyway. Why? Because you’re somebody to Him. Jesus shed it all, it’s the least we can do to look at what it cost and realize, I’m worth this much? I am unworthy, but thru You, I can become your righteousness.

God’s got a plan, and he wants you a part of it. He wants your fingerprints on this world in a way that doesn’t fade away. He wants to say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Then show you your work. That choice comes with a cost…how much is that sin worth to you? How much? You know what He paid for it.