Eclesiastés 3

Hay un tiempo para todo

1 Todo tiene su momento oportuno; hay un tiempo para todo lo que se hace bajo el cielo:

2 un tiempo para nacer,y un tiempo para morir;un tiempo para plantar,y un tiempo para cosechar;

3 un tiempo para matar,y un tiempo para sanar;un tiempo para destruir,y un tiempo para construir;

4 un tiempo para llorar,y un tiempo para reír;un tiempo para estar de luto,y un tiempo para saltar de gusto;

5 un tiempo para esparcir piedras,y un tiempo para recogerlas;un tiempo para abrazarse,y un tiempo para despedirse;

6 un tiempo para intentar,y un tiempo para desistir;un tiempo para guardar,y un tiempo para desechar;

7 un tiempo para rasgar,y un tiempo para coser;un tiempo para callar,y un tiempo para hablar;

8 un tiempo para amar,y un tiempo para odiar;un tiempo para la guerra,y un tiempo para la paz.

De nada sirve afanarse

9 ¿Qué provecho saca quien trabaja, de tanto afanarse?

10 He visto la tarea que Dios ha impuesto al género humano para abrumarlo con ella.

11 Dios hizo todo hermoso en su momento, y puso en la mente humana el sentido del tiempo, aun cuando el hombre no alcanza a comprender la obra que Dios realiza de principio a fin.

12 Yo sé que nada hay mejor para el hombre que alegrarse y hacer el bien mientras viva;

13 y sé también que es un don de Dios que el hombre coma o beba, y disfrute de todos sus afanes.

14 Sé además que todo lo que Dios ha hecho permanece para siempre; que no hay nada que añadirle ni quitarle; y que Dios lo hizo así para que se le tema.

15 Lo que ahora existe, ya existía;y lo que ha de existir, existe ya.Dios hace que la historia se repita.

Contradicciones de la vida

16 He visto algo más en esta vida: maldad donde se dictan las sentencias, y maldad donde se imparte la justicia.

17 Pensé entonces: «Al justo y al malvado los juzgará Dios, pues hay un tiempo para toda obra y un lugar para toda acción».

18 Pensé también con respecto a los hombres: «Dios los está poniendo a prueba, para que ellos mismos se den cuenta de que son como los animales.

19 Los hombres terminan igual que los animales; el destino de ambos es el mismo, pues unos y otros mueren por igual, y el aliento de vida es el mismo para todos, así que el hombre no es superior a los animales. Realmente, todo es absurdo,

20 y todo va hacia el mismo lugar.»Todo surgió del polvo,y al polvo todo volverá.

21 »¿Quién sabe si el espíritu del hombre se remonta a las alturas, y el de los animales desciende^[a] a las profundidades de la tierra?»

22 He visto, pues, que nada hay mejor para el hombre que disfrutar de su trabajo, ya que eso le ha tocado. Pues, ¿quién lo traerá para que vea lo que sucederá después de él?

Eclesiastés 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

The changes of human affairs. (1-10) The Divine counsels unchangeable. (11-15) The vanity of worldly power. (16-22)

Verses 1-10 To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment. To bring ourselves to our state in life, is our duty and wisdom in this world. God's whole plan for the government of the world will be found altogether wise, just, and good. Then let us seize the favourable opportunity for every good purpose and work. The time to die is fast approaching. Thus labour and sorrow fill the world. This is given us, that we may always have something to do; none were sent into the world to be idle.

Verses 11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.

Verses 16-22 Without the fear of the Lord, man is but vanity; set that aside, and judges will not use their power well. And there is another Judge that stands before the door. With God there is a time for the redressing of grievances, though as yet we see it not. Solomon seems to express his wish that men might perceive, that by choosing this world as their portion, they brought themselves to a level with the beasts, without being free, as they are, from present vexations and a future account. Both return to the dust from whence they were taken. What little reason have we to be proud of our bodies, or bodily accomplishments! But as none can fully comprehend, so few consider properly, the difference between the rational soul of man, and the spirit or life of the beast. The spirit of man goes upward, to be judged, and is then fixed in an unchangeable state of happiness or misery. It is as certain that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth; it perishes at death. Surely their case is lamentable, the height of whose hopes and wishes is, that they may die like beasts. Let our inquiry be, how an eternity of existence may be to us an eternity of enjoyment? To answer this, is the grand design of revelation. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, and the Hope of sinners.

Footnotes

• [a]. "sabe " "… " "desciende" . Alt. "conoce el espíritu del hombre, que se remonta a las alturas, o el de los animales, que desciende" .

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 3

The general design of this chapter is to confirm what is before observed, the vanity and inconstancy of all things; the frailty of man, and changes respecting him; his fruitless toil and labour in all his works; that it is best to be content with present things, and cheerful in them, and thankful for them; that all comes from the hand of God; that such good men, who have not at present that joy that others have, may have it, since there is a time for it; and that sinners should not please themselves with riches gathered by them, since they may be soon taken from them, for there is a time for everything, Ec 3:1; of which there is an induction of particulars, Ec 3:2-8; so that though every thing is certain with God, nothing is certain with men, nor to be depended on, nor can happiness be placed therein; there is no striving against the providence of God, nor altering the course of things; the labour of man is unprofitable, and his travail affliction and vexation, Ec 3:9,10; and though all God's works are beautiful in their season, they are unsearchable to man, Ec 3:11; wherefore it is best cheerfully to enjoy the present good things of life, Ec 3:12,13; and be content; for the will and ways and works of God are unalterable, permanent, and perfect, Ec 3:14,15; and though wicked men may abuse the power reposed in them, and pervert public justice, they will be called to an account for it in the general judgment, for which there is a time set, Ec 3:16,17; and yet, such is the stupidity of the generality of men, that they have no more sense of death and judgment than the brutes, and live and die like them, Ec 3:18-21; wherefore it is best of all to make a right use of power and riches, or what God has given to men, for their own good and that of others, since they know not what shall be after them, Ec 3:22.