Ecclesiastes 3

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).