5. spirit—How the soul animates the body! Thus the transition to the formation of the body "in the womb" is more natural, than if with MAURER we translate it "wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:6; John 3:8). bones . . . grow— (Job 10:8; Job 10:9; Psalms 139:15; Psalms 139:16). knowest not the works of God— (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 9:12). read more
4. Wise behavior in view of the uncertain future 11:1-6"At last the Teacher is approaching the climax of his book. We cannot see God’s whole plan, and there is nothing in this world that we can build on so as to find satisfaction or the key to the meaning of things. Yet we are to fulfill God’s purpose by accepting our daily lot in life as from him and by thus pleasing him make each day a good day. But how can we please him when there is so much we cannot understand? The Teacher has already... read more
"Few parents understand precisely how a baby is formed, but most follow the rules of common sense for the welfare of the mother and the unborn child. This is exactly the application that the Teacher makes here to the plan of God. Indeed, it illustrates the whole theme of the book. We cannot understand all the ways God works to fulfill his plan, but we can follow God’s rules for daily living and thus help bring God’s purpose to birth." [Note: J. S. Wright, "Ecclesiastes," p. 1189.] read more
Life After All is Worth Living1-3. Fulfil the duty of beneficence, knowing that results are in the hands of God.1. Cast thy bread, etc.] show kindness, even where a return is least to be expected. A blessing in some sort, although it may be long delayed, will result. There is perhaps a reference to the sowing of seed on irrigated land.2. Give a portion, etc.] be not niggardly or calculating in the bestowal of favours. You know not when you may need them yourself.3. The fixed laws by which the... read more
(5) The wording of this passage leaves it ambiguous whether we have here two illustrations of man’s ignorance, or only one; whether we are to understand the verse as declaring that we know neither the way of the wind nor the growth of the embryo, or whether, retaining the translation “spirit,” we take the whole verse as relating to the latter subject. (Comp. John 3:6.) The word for “her that is with child” occurs in that sense here only in the Old Testament, and in later Hebrew. read more
Sowing and Reaping Ecclesiastes 11:1 By general consent the primary reference of the text is to the Egyptian custom of scattering seed upon the oozy soil formed by the overflowing of the Nile. To the thoughtful mind there is a remarkable resemblance between the laws of the physical and the moral harvest: I. The Natural Harvest. The golden grain once more gathered in reveals: a. The power of God. Think of the vast machinery that He employs to produce our daily bread. b. The wisdom of God. The... read more
But in a wise Use and a wise Enjoyment of the Present Life, Ecclesiastes 11:1-8What that Good is, and where it may be found, the Preacher now proceeds to show. But, as his manner is, he does not say in so many words, "This is the Chief Good of man," or "You will find it yonder;" but he places before us the man who is walking in the right path and drawing closer and closer to it. Even of him the Preacher does not give us any formal description; but, following what we have seen to be his... read more
Combined with a steadfast Faith in the Life to come. Ecclesiastes 10:9 - Ecclesiastes 12:7But, soft; is not our man of men becoming a mere man of pleasure? No; for he recognises the claims of duty and of charity. These keep his pleasures sweet and wholesome, prevent them from usurping the whole man, and landing him in the satiety and weariness of dissipation. But lest even these safeguards should prove insufficient, he has also this: he knows that "God will bring him into judgment"; that all... read more
CHAPTER 11 1. Proverbs concerning man’s work(Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 ) 2. The vanity of life (Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 ) Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 . These continued proverbs concern the work of man and begin with exhortations to charity and are followed by the wise acknowledgement that no one knows the works of God, who is the maker of all. All this knowledge is within the compass of the natural man. Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 . After these philosophic proverbs he comes back to his former finding--vanity. So... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 11:5-6
Ecclesiastes 11:5-6. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit— As thou knowest not which way the wind will blow, nor how the bones are formed in the womb of her who is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God, who shall do all this; Ecclesiastes 11:6 therefore sow thy seed, &c. The morning and evening, possibly, may signify the early and late season, according to Symmachus's notion, which may very well agree with the original, Sow thy corn both early and late; do not... read more