Articles
There is a Season
There Is a Season (Ecc. 3:1-22)
By Larry Winn
Solomon continues his quest for meaning in life by looking at God’s providential government of the world. He makes various observations from this which have practical application to life.
A Season for Every Purpose (3:1-9)
In God’s divine government of the world, there is a season for every purpose under the sun (v.1). In vv 2-8, he lists the various things which occur in life, noting that there is a place in God’s providence for every one of these activities. How does this observation effect how we live?
Accept Them (3:10-11)
Recognize that God has a use for each of these activities in His government of the world and learn to accept them. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (v.11). Even those things which we dread have been used to God’s glory and to accomplish His purpose.
Man should recognize his inability to fathom the depth of God’s wisdom and His government of the world (v.11: cf. Rom. 11:33-36). Our finite minds cannot comprehend what God is bringing to pass in His wonderful work. Those who blaspheme God in the presence of adversity should learn to trust His providence.
Enjoy Life’s Pleasures (3:12-13)
When God’s providence sends to man an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of life, he should take advantage of them. He should “rejoice, and … do good in his life” (v.12). Such opportunities are “the gift of God” (3:13).
God’s Purpose Will stand (3:14-15)
God’s purpose will be accomplished, regardless of how the heathen rage or the unbelievers complain. Hence, all of our complaining and dissatisfaction will not change God’s purpose. We must learn to accept God’s purposes in life.
God Uses Injustice (3:16-18).
In considering God’s providential government, Solomon saw injustices in life (3:16). Though wicked men might presently sit on the thrones of earth administering injustice, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked” (3:17). More clearly than some other Old Testament books, Ecclesiastes points man to a judgement day before God (11:9; 12:14).
However, in the meantime, God uses the “condition of the sons of men” to “test them” and to enable them to see “that they themselves are like animals” (3:18). The injustices of life test men’s souls and cause men to see their own limitations and weaknesses.
Man Dies Like the Animals (3:19-21)
Solomon calls man’s attention to his frailty and inevitable death. Every man is going to die; we are all terminal. Every man’s body is destined to return to the dust from which it came. In v. 21, he asks, “Who knows the spirit of the sons of men that goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?” Solomon is not denying that man has a soul; he affirms as much in 12:7. However, from the viewpoint of human reasoning, man cannot distinguish any difference in the soul of man and of animals.
Enjoy the Fruit Of Your Work (3:22)
Solomon returns to his conclusion expressed in 2:10,24 and 3:12-13 that man should enjoy whatever he can during his time on earth. This is his portion from God.
Retirement Account
By Steve Melton (5/10/20)
As we start to get older,
We think of when we will retire.
We start to save and invest,
And live on that, until we expire.
We want to be financially secure,
With our social security and 401K’s.
But have we invested in our spiritual account?
To be used after our earthly days.
We are told to lay up spiritual treasure,
Where there is no moth, decay or rust.
We are to send it on ahead,
To be kept in our Father’s heavenly trust.
To us, our Father gives His blessings,
He wants us to be shrewd and think ahead.
Then exchange them for spiritual treasure,
By following the way that Jesus has lead.
When our earthly days are over,
And we can work no more.
Will we have our investment account,
Laid up for our Father to store?
What is this spiritual currency?
It is our love for others and giving.
It’s teaching and doing God’s will,
During the short time while we are living.
We can take this dirty money,
Exchange it for spiritual gold.
Give it back to glorify God.
Together, as we let eternity unfold.
A Moments Wisdom
--Having the world’s best idea will do you no good unless you act on it. People who want milk shouldn’t sit on a stool in the middle of the field in the hope that a cow will back up to them.
--Gold is tried by fire; brave souls are tried by affliction.
--Work to become, not to acquire.
--Someone has to give way. There is a rule in sailing that the more maneuverable vessel should give way to the less maneuverable craft. I think this would be a good rule to follow in human relationships as well.
--Cooperation would solve many problems in relationships. Even freckles would form a nice tan if they would get together.
--Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
--Prosperity tests the fortunate; adversity tests the great.
--“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.” (John Newton, author of song Amazing Grace)
Test Your Bible Knowledge of Bible Helpers
1. I was Jeremiah’s scribe.
2. I often refreshed the apostle Paul.
3. We risked our necks to save Paul.
4. I ran away from my owner, but ended up helping Paul.
5. I am a woman who was a servant of the church in Cenchrea.
6. At first Paul didn’t want me to come with him, but later commended me as useful in the ministry.
Upcoming Sermons
5/17/20 AM - The Four-Fold Purpose of the Gospel; PM - The City Whose Builder and Maker is God
5/24/20 AM - Jesus Healed Ten Lepers; PM - Some Bible Sevens
5/31/20 AM - “Moreover, I Declare Unto You the Gospel”; PM - The Rich Man and Lazarus
