I don’t know about you but I’m glad there is another two chapter to this book, otherwise, it would end with doom and gloom. Solomon now begins to be a bit more optimistic about life and again, he uses the form of proverbs to do so.
He says that we should live our lives with others in mind, we should give generously to anyone who has a need, Ecclesiastes 11:1. We will reap what we sow, 2 Corinthians 9:6 / Galatians 6:7-9. The KJV says uses the word ‘bread’ instead of ‘grain’.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Casting one’s bread on the water probably refers to commercial transactions involving the transportation of commodities by ship, not to charitable acts.’
Delitzsch, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Eastern bread has for the most part the form of cakes and is thin, especially as is prepared hastily for guests, Genesis 18:6, so that when thrown into the water, it remains on the surface, like a chip of wood, Hosea 10:7, and is carried away by the stream.’
When we give to others, that is, invest in others, we may not get anything back in return, Ecclesiastes 11:2, and we shouldn’t expect anything back in return, Matthew 5:44-45 / Luke 16:9 / John 13:17.
Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning seven ventures, yes, in eight, Ecclesiastes 11:2.
‘Quite similar forms of expression occur in Job 5:19 / Proverbs 30:21 / Amos 1:3 / Micah 5:4. The numbers seven and eight are used indefinitely in the advice to multiply our modes of exertion, ignorant as we are which may miscarry.’
Does a tree make a noise in the middle of a forest when it falls? Ecclesiastes 11:3. Solomon says our life is governed by what we do, Proverbs 23:7. We may want to wait for the wind to calm down before we plant our seeds, Ecclesiastes 11:4-5, the problem is the wind may blow for many days in a row, hence we won’t get any planting done. How does the body form in a mother’s womb? Psalms 139:13-18. We don’t know because we cannot understand the work of God, Ecclesiastes 11:6, the Maker of all things.
Wright, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Few parents understand precisely how a baby is formed, but most follow the rules of common sense for the welfare of the mother and the unborn child. This is exactly the application that the Teacher makes here to the plan of God. Indeed, it illustrates the whole theme of the book. We cannot understand all the ways God works to fulfil his plan, but we can follow God’s rules for daily living and thus help bring God’s purpose to birth.’
Solomon says concerning sowing your seed, Ecclesiastes 11:6, if we do nothing then we will produce nothing. We must decide to keep moving forward, despite any setbacks we may have along the way, Ecclesiastes 11:6. In other words, life is full of uncertainties, therefore, we must live by each day by faith, Romans 1:17 / 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Solomon had already advocated the enjoyment of life and responsible living in several of the preceding sections, Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 / Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 / Ecclesiastes 3:22 / Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 / Ecclesiastes 8:15 / Ecclesiastes 9:7-10.’
Solomon is basically saying that anyone who lives for others, will live a life worth living, Ecclesiastes 11:7.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Life is dear to every man as the light of the sun is to the eye. A man would give all that he has for his life, and it is particularly dear to him when he is in ease and affluence but let each remember that.’
Even when life becomes dark, there are always times of joy. One day may be filled with difficulties but the joy can return in the morning, even in the darkness of death, we can still enjoy life, Ecclesiastes 11:8 / Ecclesiastes 12:2 / Psalm 23:1-6. If you remember Solomon says back in Ecclesiastes 4:2-4, that life is better than death but when we remember that those who lived in Old Testament had no real concept of immortality, 2 Timothy 1:10, we understand that Solomon is saying that life without God is meaningless, Ecclesiastes 9:4.
Most people remember the days of their youth and for most it was a real joyous period of our lives, Ecclesiastes 11:9. However, if we’re honest with ourselves, most of us wasted our youth doing stupid things. The problem is we get older and our bodies can’t or won’t do the things they once did when we were younger.
Solomon says we should live our lives in such a way that we remind ourselves that we will give account to God for our actions, Ecclesiastes 11:9 / Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 / Ecclesiastes 7:17 / 2 Corinthians 5:10. When we live this way, it’ll help us live the kind of lives that God wants us to live. Solomon tells us to banish anxiety from our heart and cast off the troubles of our body, for youth and vigour are meaningless, Ecclesiastes 11:10.
Wright, in his commentary, says the following.
‘To older people it may seem to be too risky to advise a young person to walk in the ways of his heart and the sight of his eyes. Yet the advice is coupled with a reminder of responsibility before God. This is not to take away with one hand what is given with the other because a sense of responsibility belongs to youth just as vitality does.’