1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Here the theme of preserving wealth for a "rainy day" is considered. We can certainly apply this to giving to others as well.
The idea of working hard rather than paying attention to detracting potential issues from our goal is then focused on in verses 3 and 4; with our inability to know when things may prosper covered by God's plans in verse 5; and finally
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (verse 6). This perhaps could be compared with the parable of Matthew 20 where workers go different times into the vineyard. God's word doesn't go out void but accomplishes His purposes ( Isaiah 55:11).
The rest of the passage encourages remembrance of the brevity of youth and days of old age and final judgment after this life; nonetheless gives the idea of once again enjoying the youth with a closing thought in verse 10
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
This shows how one should enjoy the pleasures of youth yet remove fleshly vices that will be judged later on and perhaps cause further suffering and shortening of life in later years.
We now will consider chapter 12 which I may have expounded on before; where I see a dual concept of things that come to pass with a person in advanced years and which seem to parallel end times ideas as well. Since that seems to be a novel concept I am open to opinions on that matter.
Ecclesiastes ends the book with deep wisdom and, in my opinion, this chapter is a call to spiritual seriousness. In the end, everything will be brought to light; and the simplicity of true faith, even with all knowledge, what truly matters is to fear God and keep His commandments.
1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Here the theme of preserving wealth for a "rainy day" is considered. We can certainly apply this to giving to others as well.
The idea of working hard rather than paying attention to detracting potential issues from our goal is then focused on in verses 3 and 4; with our inability to know when things may prosper covered by God's plans in verse 5; and finally
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (verse 6). This perhaps could be compared with the parable of Matthew 20 where workers go different times into the vineyard. God's word doesn't go out void but accomplishes His purposes ( Isaiah 55:11).
The rest of the passage encourages remembrance of the brevity of youth and days of old age and final judgment after this life; nonetheless gives the idea of once again enjoying the youth with a closing thought in verse 10
10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
This shows how one should enjoy the pleasures of youth yet remove fleshly vices that will be judged later on and perhaps cause further suffering and shortening of life in later years.
We now will consider chapter 12 which I may have expounded on before; where I see a dual concept of things that come to pass with a person in advanced years and which seem to parallel end times ideas as well. Since that seems to be a novel concept I am open to opinions on that matter.
Ecclesiastes ends the book with deep wisdom and, in my opinion, this chapter is a call to spiritual seriousness. In the end, everything will be brought to light; and the simplicity of true faith, even with all knowledge, what truly matters is to fear God and keep His commandments.
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