Ecclesiastes 3

CHAPTER 3

A Time for Everything (3:1–22)

1–8 In this chapter, the Teacher provides us with additional glimpses of truth. He starts by telling us: There is a time for everything (verse 1)—that is, there is an appropriate, God-ordained time for every human activity. As humans live their lives day by day, they need to discern the proper times for their various activities; then each activity will be beautiful in its time⁸ (verse 11).

9–11 The Teacher has shown us in verses 1–8 that there is a proper time for everything in life, and he implies that God purposefully controls these “times.” DAVID wrote: My times are in your hands (Psalm 31:15). But, in verse 9, the Teacher still asks: What does one gain from all life’s activities? (Ecclesiastes 1:3).

In verse 10, the Teacher says that men are under a burden (see Ecclesiastes 2:13); God has given them life, but He hasn’t explained life’s purpose. Humans go from activity to activity, but they are not satisfied. The reason is that God has set eternity in the hearts of men (verse 11); men have a longing to know the larger purpose of their existence. They are aware of eternity, of an eternal God, and they long to know Him. In every man and woman there is an “empty space” that only God can fill; and until that space is filled, their lives will lack both happiness and meaning.⁹

12–14 Since humans cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (verse 11), the best they can do is to treat life as a gift of God (verse 13) and to be happy and do good while they live (verse 12); to “do good” means to please God (see Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 and comment). When they do this, they will begin to find meaning in life. In verse 14, the Teacher goes one step further and gives us a foretaste of the conclusion of his sermon: God is sovereign; nothing can be added or subtracted from what He does; the whole purpose of man’s life is to revere Him—to fear Him and keep His commandments (see Ecclesiastes 12:13).

15–17 God is sovereign over history; it may seem as if the past has no connection with the present, but God will call the past to account (verse 15)—that is, He will judge the past deeds of men (Ecclesiastes 12:14), both the righteous and the wicked (verse 17).

18–22 Here it seems that the Teacher has returned to his pessimism; but in fact he is merely teaching us the truth about ourselves, truth that should make us humble. As far as our physical bodies are concerned, we are no different from animals! Like them, we return to dust (verse 20)—an echo of Genesis 3:19. Who knows what happens after death? (verse 21). We humans cannot fully know—though the Old Testament has already given us glimpses. The final revelation comes from the New Testament, through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10).

But the Teacher is still back in the Old Testament; for him, God’s revelation is not yet complete. The Teacher has discovered only this, that man should enjoy his work, because that is his (God-given) lot (verse 22).