Ecclesiastes 11 Study Notes: Diligence in an Uncertain Future
The Teacher urges people to share widely and keep working diligently, because no one knows what the future holds or how God carries out His work. He tells the young to enjoy their years with gladness while remembering that God will judge all they do.
General
What reason does the Teacher give for sharing your portion widely in 11:2?
Answer: Trouble may strike the land without warning
The Teacher tells his hearers to send their bread out upon the waters, trusting that in time it will come back to them (11:1), and to share their portion among seven, even eight, because calamity may strike the land unforeseen (11:2). Some read these sayings as a call to generous giving, others as advice to spread one’s ventures widely; either way, the reason given is that the future is uncertain. Not knowing what is coming is a reason to act, not to hold back. Proverbs warns against boasting about tomorrow, since a day’s events are unknown (Proverbs 27:1), and James reminds those who plan their business that they cannot see even one day ahead (James 4:13-14). Proverbs also observes that one who gives freely ends up gaining more (Proverbs 11:24).
- Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (BSB)“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.”The Teacher urges casting bread on the waters and sharing one’s portion widely.
- Proverbs 27:1 (BSB)“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”Proverbs grounds humility about tomorrow in the fact that the future is unknown.
- James 4:13-14 (BSB)“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”James reminds planners that they do not know what tomorrow will bring.
- Proverbs 11:24 (BSB)“One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.”Proverbs observes that open-handed giving does not leave a person poorer.
Theological
On what ground does 11:2 urge dividing one’s portion among many?
Answer: Trouble may strike the land without warning
The two sayings call for sending bread out upon the waters, with the assurance that it will be found again in time (11:1), and for dividing one’s portion among seven, even eight, because calamity may come upon the land unforeseen (11:2). They are read either as a call to generosity or as counsel to spread one’s undertakings; in both readings the stated ground is the uncertainty of the future. Not knowing what lies ahead is a reason to act rather than to hold back. Proverbs forbids boasting about tomorrow because a day’s events are unknown (Proverbs 27:1); James rebukes confident business plans made by those who cannot see one day ahead (James 4:13-14); and Proverbs observes that the one who gives freely gains more (Proverbs 11:24).
- Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (BSB)“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.”The Teacher urges casting bread on the waters and sharing one’s portion widely.
- Proverbs 27:1 (BSB)“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”Proverbs grounds humility about tomorrow in the fact that the future is unknown.
- James 4:13-14 (BSB)“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”James reminds planners that they do not know what tomorrow will bring.
- Proverbs 11:24 (BSB)“One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.”Proverbs observes that open-handed giving does not leave a person poorer.
General
When the Teacher tells the young man to rejoice in his youth (11:9), what does he tell him to keep in mind?
Answer: God will judge him for all the ways he walks
The Teacher says that because daylight is sweet and seeing the sun is pleasant, a person should rejoice in all his years, yet remember that dark days will be many (11:7-8). He then tells the young man to be glad while he is young and to follow the desires of his heart and what his eyes see, but to know that God will bring him to judgment for all of it (11:9). The joy is real and is God’s gift, but it is to be enjoyed by one who will answer to God. So he urges putting away sorrow and pain, because youth and its strength soon pass (11:10). The book ends on the same note, that every deed will come before God’s judgment (12:14). Paul says that all must stand before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10), and that God generously gives everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 (BSB)“Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting.”The Teacher calls the young to rejoice while remembering God’s judgment.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (BSB)“For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”The book’s closing words confirm that God will judge every deed.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB)“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.”Paul says all must give account before Christ’s judgment seat.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul affirms that God gives good things to be enjoyed.
Theological
What qualification does 11:9 attach to the call for the young man to enjoy his youth?
Answer: God will judge him for all the ways he walks
Because light is sweet, the Teacher urges rejoicing through all one’s years while remembering that dark days will be many (11:7-8). The young man is to be glad in his youth and follow his heart’s desires and what his eyes see, but always knowing that God will bring him to judgment for all of it (11:9). Joy is God’s genuine gift, to be received by one who is accountable to Him. Hence sorrow and pain are to be put away, since youth and vigor soon pass (11:10). The book closes on the same note: every deed will come before God’s judgment (12:14). Paul says that all must stand before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10), and also that God generously gives everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 (BSB)“Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting.”The Teacher calls the young to rejoice while remembering God’s judgment.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (BSB)“For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”The book’s closing words confirm that God will judge every deed.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB)“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.”Paul says all must give account before Christ’s judgment seat.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul affirms that God gives good things to be enjoyed.
General
True or False: The Teacher advises waiting for perfect weather before sowing, so that the work is not wasted.
Answer: False
This is false. The Teacher warns that whoever keeps watching the wind will never sow, and whoever keeps studying the clouds will never reap (11:4). Clouds drop their rain and a fallen tree lies where it lands, whatever we do (11:3). Since we cannot know which work will succeed, or whether both will, he urges sowing from early in the day and keeping at it into the evening (11:6). Uncertainty is a reason to keep working faithfully, not to wait. Proverbs says the slacker fails to plow when he should and finds nothing at harvest (Proverbs 20:4), and Paul urges believers not to grow tired of doing good, because they will gather a harvest at the proper time if they do not quit (Galatians 6:9).
- Ecclesiastes 11:3-6 (BSB)“If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.”The Teacher warns against waiting on the weather and calls for steady sowing.
- Proverbs 20:4 (BSB)“The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.”Proverbs shows the empty harvest of the one who will not plow in season.
- Galatians 6:9 (BSB)“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Paul encourages steady well-doing in hope of a harvest.
Theological
True or False: In 11:4-6 the Teacher counsels waiting for certain conditions before sowing.
Answer: False
This is false. The one who waits on the wind never sows, and the one who studies the clouds never reaps (11:4); clouds release their rain and a fallen tree stays where it lands regardless of our watching (11:3). Since no one knows which effort will prosper, or whether both will, the Teacher calls for sowing from early in the day and working on into the evening (11:6). Uncertainty is a summons to diligence, not to delay. Proverbs pictures the slacker who will not plow when he should and finds nothing at harvest (Proverbs 20:4), and Paul exhorts believers not to tire of doing good, since they will gather a harvest at the proper time if they persevere (Galatians 6:9).
- Ecclesiastes 11:3-6 (BSB)“If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.”The Teacher warns against waiting on the weather and calls for steady sowing.
- Proverbs 20:4 (BSB)“The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.”Proverbs shows the empty harvest of the one who will not plow in season.
- Galatians 6:9 (BSB)“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Paul encourages steady well-doing in hope of a harvest.
General
In 11:5, what comparisons does the Teacher use to show the limits of human understanding of God’s work?
Answer: The wind’s path and a baby’s growth in the womb
Just as people do not know how the wind travels or how a baby’s bones take shape inside its mother, the Teacher says, so they cannot grasp what God, who made everything, is doing (11:5). If everyday wonders are beyond us, God’s wider purposes are far beyond us too. He has already said that people cannot fathom what God has done from start to finish (3:11). David praises God for knitting him together before birth (Psalm 139:13), Jesus compares the work of the Spirit to a wind whose origin and direction no one can tell (John 3:8), and Paul marvels that God’s ways are beyond tracing (Romans 11:33). Not knowing God’s work does not lead to idleness, though: the next verse urges the reader to keep sowing (11:6).
- Ecclesiastes 11:5 (BSB)“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”The Teacher compares the mystery of God’s work to the wind and to a child’s forming in the womb.
- Psalm 139:13 (BSB)“For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”David credits God with forming him in his mother’s womb.
- John 3:8 (BSB)“The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.””Jesus uses the unseen path of the wind to describe the Spirit’s work.
- Romans 11:33 (BSB)“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”Paul praises God whose ways cannot be traced out.
Theological
Which two mysteries does 11:5 set beside God’s work to show that it lies beyond human understanding?
Answer: The wind’s path and a baby’s growth in the womb
The Teacher sets two mysteries, the course of the wind and the forming of a child’s bones in the womb, beside the greater mystery of God’s work as Maker of all (11:5). If such ordinary wonders exceed human knowledge, God’s providence does so far more, as the Teacher has already said in speaking of what God does from start to finish (3:11). David praises God for knitting him together before birth (Psalm 139:13); Jesus likens the Spirit’s working to a wind whose origin and direction no one can tell (John 3:8); and Paul exclaims that God’s ways are beyond tracing (Romans 11:33). Ignorance of God’s work is not a reason for idleness, for the next verse calls for diligent sowing (11:6).
- Ecclesiastes 11:5 (BSB)“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”The Teacher compares the mystery of God’s work to the wind and to a child’s forming in the womb.
- Psalm 139:13 (BSB)“For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”David credits God with forming him in his mother’s womb.
- John 3:8 (BSB)“The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.””Jesus uses the unseen path of the wind to describe the Spirit’s work.
- Romans 11:33 (BSB)“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”Paul praises God whose ways cannot be traced out.