After exploring so wide a range of pleasures accessible to a king of such wisdom, wealth and power, the Preacher now turns to view the seasons and the various cycles in which things travel in this world. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;... A time to weep, and a time to laugh;... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” There is a time for everything, but it is a passing scene. However, when he looks at the works of God he can say, “He hath made everything beautiful in its time,” and “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it.” This He does “that men should fear before Him.” Also “God requireth that which is past.”
Solomon here with all his wisdom cannot see beyond this life; he cannot see what takes place after death. It would appear, he says, that “that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts;... as the one dieth, so dieth the other.” “Who knoweth,” he inquires, “the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?” (J.N.D. Trans.) However, in the last chapter he does conclude that the spirit of man returns to the God who gave it. (Chap. 12:7.) Some things he says may appear to be almost infidel, but we must remember that Solomon is here giving us the experience of mere fallen man, and his reasonings, on all that happens “under the sun.” He speaks as a natural man without the revelation of God; there is no question here as to grace or redemption. Apart from the revelation of God, man cannot speak with assurance on what is beyond this life. The truth as to these things awaited the coming of the Saviour Jesus Christ, “who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel.” 2 Tint 1:10. It is only in the New Testament then that we learn the truth that man has to do with God after he leaves this scene. One who knows Christ as His Saviour can say with all assurance of Scripture that “to die is gain,” and “to depart, and to be with Christ;... is far better.” Phil. 1:21, 2321For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23).
In chapter 4 he looks abroad in the earth and considers “the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.” It is all vexation of spirit. Then he considers all labor and success, “that for this a man is envied of his neighbor,” and he decides that it is better to have a handful with quietness than both hands full with vexation of spirit.
In chapter 5 he considers man’s responsibility to God and what his conduct ought to be in the house of God. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools.” “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools.” It were better not to vow than to vow and not pay, for God would hold one responsible, and he could not say it was in error.
ML 11/26/1961