Sunday, August 11, 2019 pm
STUDIES IN ECCLESIASTES
(13)
A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
As
we continue our study of Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s letter in which he
defines his search for the meaning of life, we now come to some
observations about the variety of life.
These verses are perhaps some of the most well known verses of this
letter, as they describe variety in life.
Several years ago these verses were the basis of a song created
in the late 50s and made popular in the mid-60s.
It is also a passage of scripture sometimes read funerals as it
describes the cycle of life.
We
will examine it simply as a part of Solomon’s observations.
a.
Doctrinally this passage
is sometime misused to teach Calvinism, as if to say that God purposes
every little act we engage in. But
that is not the only possible interpretation, and it is contrary to
numerous Biblical doctrines including our free-will and choice.
b.
Also, many of the
behaviors and actions are also abused, as we shall see.
c.
Solomon’s point – there
is a time for everything.
Life happens, and events are going to occur, some within our control,
and others beyond our control. And
while Solomon’s primary focus is this life, many of these
descriptions as apply spiritually, to which we will make some
application.
d.
To everything there is a
season –
a season indicates a designated time that comes and goes.
Anyone who has observed and considered life understands that
there are times when one choice is appropriate, and other times, when
the opposite choice is the right one.
This gives life a little variety (contrast that with how in chapter 1,
Solomon talked about the mundane and predictable nature of the world).
And with this cause for man to stop and think.
e.
A time for every purpose
under heaven
– there are laws that God has set in order.
They are universal.
When God created this world, He
created the natural laws that govern it.
When He set things in motion, these laws have been constant and
irrevocable (save when He steps in).
One thought – This is true spiritually as well.
This world and man has a purpose. There are “spiritual laws” we
must abide by. The way
this world works is the hand of God and is designed for man to seek him,
and realize that life is not just about himself.
We have to think about others as we manage our lives, which is
seen in most of the descriptions in this text.
a.
A time to be born
– the bringing of life into this world.
The NASB says, “A time to give birth”.
Of all the qualities described, this first set is the one we have the
least among of control. This
event happens when “it’s time”.
Spiritually - It was the fullness of time (the right time), when
God brought Christ into this world – Galatians 4:4.
Also consider the birth, we do have control over – being “Born
again” – John 3:3 – to Nicodemus, and 1 Peter 1:23 – we are born again…
b.
A time to die
–Some use this to justify killing – such as suicide, or perhaps
euthanasia. But it deals
with life. Genesis 3:19, Hebrews 9:27, etc.
Spiritually – when we sin, we die – Romans 6:23, 5:12; but to be
raised, we must put to death that old man of sin – Romans 6:3-6,
Colossians 3:9
c.
A time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted
– harvest times.
Remember when the flood ended, and the rainbow was given –
promises were made – Genesis 8:21-22.
There are times on this earth that are set in place where certain
actions need to be done. An almanac is a book that gives us the details
to know WHEN is the right time for each.
They are only useful, because God has appointed the times – and
they are dependable.
The planting is obvious, but the plucking (uprooting) could address
harvest time – receiving the crop that I planted, or when its usefulness
has gone – uproot and replace.
Farmers know these things.
Concerning nations - God uprooted nations for their wickedness (Jeremiah
18:7-8), including 7 nations in Canaan because of their wickedness, so
that Israel could inherit the land (Deut. 7).
And in time, He uprooted Israel.
They were judged.
Spiritually – the Bible makes reference to planting and harvest
time, as well as uprooting. We
are to sow seed and plant (John 4:35, 1 Corinthians 3:6, Luke 8:11ff,
etc.).
And there are times when we walk away for what is planted.
If one rejects the “seed”, we must move on.
God will certainly “pluck” on the day of judgment (Matthew
13:24-30 – parable of the wheat and tares).
d.
A time to kill and a
time heal
– in this world, there are times for killing (though specifics are
debated) – eating food when you’re hungry, capital punishment for crimes
(Genesis 9:5-6, Deuteronomy 13:9-10, etc.), even self-defense (cf.
Exodus 22:2, etc.). The
government does not bear the sword in vain (Romans 13:3-4).
Discussing these is controversial, but they are reality and serve
a purpose.
NOTE: This is NOT justification for selfishness, such as abortions, etc.
And clearly, there is a time for healing – to treat sickness and seek to
preserve life. IF we value
life, this ought to be our desire.
Spiritually – we put to death the man of sin as already noted.
There are attitudes and actions that we need to “kill” in our
lives. BUT, when we “kill”
something, we must replace it with something better – hence the healing.
Revelation 3:18 – Laodicea needed to heal their diseased eyes.
James 5:16 – pray that we may be healed (of the consequences of
our sins). 1 Peter 2:24 – by
His stripes we are healed.
e.
A time to break down and
a time to build up
– buildings and other structures get old and start wearing out to where
they need to be torn down and replaced.
IT is actually a natural law that over times this will decay.
We know these things now and beyond.
A builder needs to assess his circumstances and determine if a structure
is salvageable or needs to be totally demolished.
This must be determined before renovating or replacing.
Sometimes it is more efficient to demolish and start over.
Spiritually – the Bible addresses this as well.
Typically, it addresses the building up, BUT implied in that is
also the tearing down. For
example: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 – we must build on the foundation of
Jesus. WHAT if our
foundation is something else?
We have also noted 2 Timothy 4:2-3 – where Timothy is to preach the word
– he needs to tear down, but also build up when that is done (reprove,
rebuke and exhort).
Acts 20:32 – the word is able to build you up;
f.
A time to weep and a time to laugh – clearly there are occasions when these emotions are
appropriate. An interesting
observation here is a call for balance.
We must not let our emotions rule us.
There is a problem when all one does is weep (depressed,
negative, etc.) or laugh (is not serious).
Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a
broken spirit dries the bones.
Spiritually
- we weep with each other
and rejoice with each other (Romans 12:15).
Philippians 3:18 – Paul wept at the enemies of the cross of
Christ; James 4:9 – if there is sin, we ought to lament, mourn and weep.
As to “laughing” – I think of how we as Christians ought to
joyful. And I believe this
ought to be our primary emotion of the two (Philippians 4:4)
g.
A time to mourn and a
time to dance
– similar to the previous point, but here it deals with occasions.
When I think of mourning, an example would be a funeral (cf.
Eccl. 7:2-4), and dancing – a joyful occasions such as a wedding or
festive event.
We should not read into this justification for going to events where
dancing is designed to provoke lustful thoughts and males and females
handling each other.
“Dancing” in the Bible can be simply jumping up and down joyfully, with
or without music. We will address
this more on another occasion.
Spiritually – there are occasions for mourning and “dancing” or
rejoicing.
When we say goodbye to a loved one (perhaps this involves both, if they
are saved). When we withdraw
from the disorderly or sin is in our midst, we ought to mourn (cf. 1
Corinthians 5:2). Matthew
5:4 speaks of mourning concerning our own spiritual failures.
We ought to rejoice at the good fortune of our brethren (Romans 12:15),
when one obeys the gospel or repents (Luke 15:7, 10, 32, etc.); or when
one overcomes some spiritual struggle.
h.
A time to cast away
stones and a time to gather stones
– like the building up and tearing down.
There are tasks and times to accumulate things, and other times
when we throw them away.
We have addressed before the dilemma of clutter – physical and
spiritual.
Spiritually – I simply think of a willingness to change when it
is needed. Do what we need
to do to grow (gather the resources), and when something is no longer
useful as a tool, move on (cast it away).
i.
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing
– there are times when embracing (hugs, etc.) are appropriate, and other
times when they are not.
This could also apply to physical relationships. E.g. a husband and wife
can embrace (though in private), while others should not (e.g. teens
dating in circumstances where they are tempted to lust (1 Corinthians
6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22)
Spiritually: I think of fellowship.
We are to have fellowship with one another as brethren – Acts
2:42, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 1:3, etc.
We are NOT to have fellowship with the ungodly of this world, and those
who have fallen away (until they return) – Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians
10:20 (fellowship with demons). 2
Corinthians 6:14
j.
A time to gain and a time to lose – The NASB reads, “a time to search and a time to give
up as lost” – this shows the idea of times when we keep looking for
something, but there is a time to move on.
Spiritually – think of the lost coin and sheep in Luke 15:1-10.
Both show diligent search.
But there is a time when we must judge that we are “casting our
pearl before swine” and move on – Matthew 7:6
k.
A time to keep and a time to throw away
– similar to many things we have discussed with
building, etc.
Spiritually – what are we willing to give up to follow Him –
Matthew 6:19-21 – where is your treasure?
Do we have the attitude of Paul in Philippians 3:7-8?
l.
A time to tear and a time to sew – another description similar to the gathering and
casting away stones.
Spiritually - You could relate this to the mourning we have
addressed as well. Remember
how in mourning people would tear their garments.
But that period of mourning was to end.
Repair your “garments” and move on.
m.
A time to keep silence
and a time to speak
– wise words to always consider.
We don’t have to always say something.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is say nothing (like Job’s
friends for a week after they came to him.
As long as they were silent all
was well – Job 2:13).
Proverbs 10:19, In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he
who restrains his lips is wise.
Spiritually
– we need to control our tongues and at times be quiet.
James 1:19. WHEN it comes to authority, we need to “speak where
the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent”
n.
A time of love and a
time of hate
– there are things we ought to despise and things we can and ought to
love, WHILE in this world.
The problem with the world is so often they get these things mixed up.
Spiritually – we know the things we should love – Matthew
22:37-39, 1 John 4:7 – one another; Matthew 5:44-45 – even our enemies.
AND there are times and things we should hate (or love less) – Romans
12:9 – Abhor what is evil;
1 John 2:15-17 – do NOT love the world or the things in the world, etc.
o.
A time of war and a time
of peace
-a fitting conclusion.
Conflict is inevitable in life.
In making decisions concerning many of the above contrasts, in
our minds there is conflict about what to do.
We must work through it.
Also, we may not like to think about wars, but sometimes they are
inevitable to stop an enemy from encroaching.
The nature and time of wars is subject to debate, but sadly there
is a time for such.
AND there is a time for peace, INSTEAD of choosing war.
Clearly, this should be the default choice.
Spiritually – let us NEVER forget that we are at war – Ephesians
6:10-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Timothy 1:18 – wage the good warfare.
BUT in this, our ultimate goal is for peace – peace with God, within
ourselves and with others.
Matthew 5:9 – blessed are the peacemakers.
NOTE: Sometimes to get peace, there needs to be war first.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 – be at peace among yourselves.
Colossians 3:15 – let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
Thus, we find Solomon acknowledging in this life there is a time for
everything. The question is,
will we use the wisdom of God to determine what and when that is, or
will we live for ourselves facing eternal gloom.
Let us resolve to “fear God and keep His commandments.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-4).
Think about it.