Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Ecclesiastes-Chapter 11

Ecc 11.1-10 tells us about some financial advice and for the young to enjoy life because death is inevitable.

v 1…Cast (send) your bread (grain, charity) on the waters (the poor and those who seem to be lost) for you shall find it after many days (restored to you in due time, it may seem slow but it will come).

v 2…Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight (everyone in need), for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth (to you, for you may end up poor and in need of assistance).

v 3…If clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth (they do not keep it for themselves, then the earth gets moisture for growing food for others); and whether a tree falls towards the south (the past) or toward the north (future), wherever the tree falls there it lies (the future forms itself according to laws that are not according to human laws and are in God’s hands, and we are uncertain of the future).

v 4…He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap (too much hesitation).

v 5…Just as you do not know the path of the wind (John 3.8) and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman (both are mysteries of creation), so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things (Yehovah’s decrees about wealth and poverty are unknown to us also, so don’t be timid about giving out of fear of loss, and don’t be afraid to take risks in life, looking for excuses will get you nowhere).

v 6…Sow your seed in the morning (plant without worrying about ideal conditions-v 4); and do not be idle in the evening (keep working), for you do not know which will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.

v 7…The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun (life can be a blessing).

v 8…Indeed, if a man should live many years (a privilege), let him rejoice in them all (enjoy it and escape all the bitterness), and let him remember the days of darkness (the state of the dead), for they (the days of death) shall be many (in comparison to life, especially in the Second Death). Everything that is to come will be futility (the things in this life, both good and bad, is vain, no purpose, short and transitional).

v 9…Rejoice, young man, during your childhood (he speaks to the rebellious youth here and warns them), and let your heart be pleasant (cheer you, not lustful-Num 15.39) during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the delight of your eyes (do what desire to do). Yet know (and remember) that God will bring you to judgment for all these things (so be careful, think before you act because there is a judgment).

v 10…So remove vexation (anger) from your heart and put away evil from your body (do not indulge the flesh), because childhood and the prime of life (youth) are futile (valueless without the Torah).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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