Ecclesiastes 11 Commentary
Please choose a passage:
Ecclesiastes 11:1-5
God determines what will be and His work is beyond our ability to control or understand. Accepting reality, the best we can do is to be intentional about our stewardship, rather than being paralyzed (or blindsided) by uncertainty.
Ecclesiastes 11:6-8
Solomon calls us to strive to invest our time wisely and maintain an attitude of thanksgiving, even while acknowledging the realities of a troubled world.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
Solomon exhorts young men to live joyfully and responsibly while at the height of their energy—investing wisely and making the most of every opportunity, knowing God will evaluate every aspect of life.
Additional Resources
One of the most fascinating books of Scripture, Ecclesiastes sets out on a difficult but foundational task—reconciling the human longing to discover and understand, to find meaning and purpose, with the practical realities of being a finite creature in a world created by an infinite being. What is discovered is that human reason and experience is inadequate to find purpose. If we rely solely on human reason and experience, we only find futility and madness. However, if we begin with faith, we can effectively use our human faculties to realize wisdom and fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes predicts the failure of human philosophy to discover purpose apart from faith, while offering a viable philosophical solution: to begin with faith.
The author, Qoholeth in Hebrew, or “Assembler,” is trying to make sense of life “under the sun.” It is widely believed “Qoholeth” is King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom. His goal is to synthesize philosophy with the practical world around him.
Solomon invites us on a great journey of discovery. If anyone could use reason to discover meaning through life experiences, it would be Solomon. Solomon’s great wealth meant he could use all his time toward his investigations. His unsurpassed wisdom allowed him the faculties to design a vast array of activities, as well as assess their results, and determine their meaning.
Solomon’s conclusion is dark but real: neither meaning nor purpose can be discerned through human reason and experience. As the rivers flow endlessly to the sea, so one life flows to the next. Without a foundation of faith, life has no meaning.
Solomon shares with us his experiments to find meaning through reason and experience. He tries achievement and engages in vast building projects. He tries every sort of pleasure and entertainment, spanning the full spectrum of wine, women, and song. He leaves no stone unturned, but finds nothing but futility. Solomon’s experience is summarized in one word: “hebel.” Hebel is Hebrew for “vaporous.” A fog, a mist. Something that is there but can’t be grasped. You see it for a moment, then it is gone. Such is a philosophy of life founded upon human reason and experience.
Ecclesiastes tackles the kinds of things we think about but do not often say. And likely do not wrestle with to the extent Solomon does. Utilizing a mix of imagery and direct description, the Book of Ecclesiastes is an honest attempt to reconcile life on this Earth with the mysteries of Heaven.
Ecclesiastes’s refusal to pull any punches has caused many to describe it as negative and depressing. But the truths discovered in this book are real. Reality might be an acquired taste, but Solomon urges us to see reality for what it is.
When Solomon sees reality firsthand, it causes him to turn to God, and find fulfillment. Life can be confusing and complicated. It can seem like we are living in a fog. We cannot gain clarity through our own efforts and experiences. But clarity can come if our starting place is faith in God. Solomon concludes with an exhortation that life’s fulfillment is found in following God’s ways, for it is He who will determine the meaning of all deeds in His final judgement.
The patient, teachable reader will discover truth, hope, and challenge within these chapters. In the end, it is a strange joy only found through full consideration of the mysteries of God.
An awareness of the realities and uncertainties of life could paralyze us. But Solomon invites us to meet the uncertainty with industry. To be deliberate about how we spend our time and resources. To take great care in what we do and how we do it. Tomorrow is uncertain and circumstances are what they are. We should hold our future plans and expectations with an open hand. Only God is God. Only God is in control. Only God truly knows what is to come.
A key to making the most of our opportunities is in letting go of our compulsion to control. Rather than hoard, invest our resources wisely—in diverse ways—and give generously. In many of life’s instances, the best way to retain something is to release it, to let it go.
We cannot escape the troubles of life. There will be days of darkness that accompany days of light. But we need to make the most of our time on earth. Particularly while we are young and full of energy. Our actions have consequences, both in this life and through Eternity. We should enjoy our days to the fullest, while bearing in mind our responsibility and the reality that we will answer to God for all we do.
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