Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes 11:1

BRead] Or, bread-corn (or grain.)

upon the waters] Heb. upon the face of the waters, or beside, as Isaiah 32:10. That is, be liberall to the poor, and though it be as a thing ventured at sea, or cast into the water, yet it shall bring thee profit: or, be diligent in husbanding thy grounds, in sowing in those places which are most fertile.

thou shalt finde it after many days] As seed, though not presently, yet after some time it will encrease. Worldly men think laying up the way to be rich, but God thinks laying out to be the way.

many days] Deuteronomy 15:10. Proverbs 19:17. Matthew 10:42.

Ecclesiastes 11:2

Give a portion to seven] To many, according to thy ability: or, have dealing with many, that, though thy trading with some fail, yet it may hold with others.

for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth] Because thou mayest lose all, and then canst do no good to others, but wilt need the help of others.

Ecclesiastes 11:3

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth] As the clouds that are full pour out rain to refresh the earth: so the rich, that have abundance, must distribute it liberally.

in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be He exhorteth to be liberall while we live; for after death there is no power, chap. 9. 10. Galatians 6:10. Or, which way soever the tree falls, it will be beneficiall to one or other.

Ecclesiastes 11:4

He that observeth the winde, shall not sowe] He that feareth inconveniences, or future want, when other mens necessity requires relief, shall never do his duty, nor receive the reward of liberality.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all] God may take thee away secretly and suddenly, and then thou canst not give.

Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sowe thy seed] When thou beginnest to prosper, give, and so continue.

shall prosper] Heb. shall be right.

either this or that] Which shall please God most, and receive the greatest reward; for God doth recompense some good works in an especiall manner, Matthew 10:41. Hebrews 13:2. Or, continue diligent in employment, though thou be not certain of a continuall successe.

Ecclesiastes 11:8

But if a man live many yeers] Though life be pleasant in it self, yea, if a man have a long and cheerfull life here also, yet the remembrance of the shortnesse of it, in comparison of the time he must lie in the grave, will make worldly comforts seem vain to him, and his estate here far from true felicity.

let him] Or, if he.

for they shall be many. All] Or, that they shall be many. Then all.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth] He derideth them that settle their delight on worldly pleasures, as though God would never call them to an account.

know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement] For following thy pleasures, and so neglecting Gods service, chap. 12. 1.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart] Take heed of evil thoughts, which may bring grief upon thine heart, and of evil actions, which may bring pain upon thy body. Or, storm not against those that advise thee for thy good, but leave evil courses, which will be bitter in the end.

sorrow] Or, anger.

childhood and youth are vanitie] Soon gone, as the morning quickly comes to noon, and noon to night. So much the word childhood intimates, according to the derivation.