Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:1

TO every thing there is a season] Appointed by God. He speaketh of this diversity of times, for two causes: First to declare, That there is nothing in this world perpetuall: next, to teach us not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once, according to our desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish.

a time to every purpose under the heaven] Things voluntary are determined, as well as things naturall.

Ecclesiastes 3:2

to be born] Heb. to bear.

Ecclesiastes 3:5

to refrain from] Heb. to be far from.

Ecclesiastes 3:6

get] Or, seek.

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit hath he that worketh, in that wherein he laboureth?] Chap. 1. 3.

Ecclesiastes 3:10

to be exercised in it] Chap. 1. 13.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath made every thing beautifull in his time] Though there be profit to man in regard of felicity, to know naturall things, verse 9. but much trouble, verse 10. yet the beauty of them makes man desire to know them, and God hath enclined their heart to look after them, but not given them the power fully to understand Gods works.

so that] Or, yet, so that.

no man can finde out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end] Chap. 8. 17.

Ecclesiastes 3:12

I know that there is no good in them] Therefore it is better for man to take his part of them, then curiously to search into the nature of them.

to do good in his life] To rejoyce inwardly in them, and use them outwardly for his comfort.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

And also that every man should eat] Or, And also every man that eateth, and drinketh, and enjoyeth. For every man doth not so, but he that doth, may thank God for it.

enjoy] Enjoy, Psalms 34:12.

it is the gift of God] Chap. 2. 24. We must therefore use Gods gifts with sobriety, and in the fear of God, forasmuch as he giveth not his gifts to the intent they should be abused.

Ecclesiastes 3:14

it shall be for ever] Man shall never be able to let or alter Gods work, but as he hath determined, so it shall come to passe.

Ecclesiastes 3:15

That which hath been, is now] Chap. 1. 9. Or, What is that which hath been already? Even that which is to be, hath been already, for God requireth that which is past. That is, God brings every yeer such kinde of fruits, and things as were the yeer before: and so also in every age.

that which is past] Heb. that which is driven away.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

for there is a time there, for every purpose] Verse 1. Meaning with God, though man neglect his duty.

Ecclesiastes 3:18

that God might manifest them, and that they might see] Or, that they might clear God, and see, &c.

that God might manifest them] Rather, that God will manifest, &c. and, that they shall see. It will be so, for these wicked men that oppresse others, shall die like beasts, verse 19.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For that which befalleth the sons of men, &c.] Psalms 49:10. chap. 2. 16.

befalleth beasts] The bodies of these corrupt Judges shall die like beasts. This they forget, else would they not oppresse others.

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knoweth the spirit of man, &c.] Or, Who knoweth the breath of the sons of man, that it goeth upward: and the breath of the beast, that it goeth downward to the earth: That is, they both breathe out the same way, and die.

of man] Heb. of the sons of man.

goeth] Heb. is ascending.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, then that a man should rejoyce in his own works] Chap. 2. 24. and 5. 18.

who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?] Who enjoyes his goods, and how he useth it? Therefore let him take his comfort of them himself, before he die.