Ecclesiastes 11
DortAN exhortation to liberality unto the poor, without regarding their unworthiness, v.1,etc. Having the providence of God always before our eyes, 5 yet without neglecting the taking of pains, 6. Life is sweet unto men, yet there are more evil dayes then good, 7. An exhortation unto young men, that they would always, in the midst of their pleasures and delights think of the day of judgement, 9.
1. Cast thy bread upon the water: [That is, do well unto every one, both to those whom thou knowest, and also to those whom thou knowest not. Hebr. Upon the face of the water, or of the waters, meaning, by the water, the poor, who have nothing wherewith to recompense a man again, so that it seemeth to be lost, whatever is given unto them. so we are likewise used to say, of a thing which we conceive to be lost and gone. It is all one, as if it were cast into water, or thrown into the sea] for thou shalt find it after many dayes. [Hebr. After multitude of dayes; that is, after many dayes are expired. The meaning is, God will restore it unto thee again, yet often times also the man himself, unto whom long before thou hast shewed some kindness or relief.]
2. give a portion [to wit, thine almes or thy bread] to seven, [a certain number for uncertain, as Prov. 6.v.16. Mich.5.5. so are likewise the words following, and also to eight, to be understood. Christ saith, Give to every one that asketh, luke 6.30. compare deut.15.7,8.] urea also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon earth. [as if he should say, the time may come, that thou shalt be bereaved of all that thou hast, and be made a beggar. Then shalt thou with, that others would afford the liberal assistance; Do thou then likewise so unto others. See Luke 16:9. Galat.6.9. 2 Corinth.9.10.]
3. When the clouds are grown full, then they pour down [Heb. Then they empty] showers of rain upon the earth; [intimating, that the rich ought plentifully to shew their liberality unto the poor, as the rain doth plentifully water the dry ground, without distinction of places or fields: God causeth his rain to fall on the evil, as well as on the good] as the tree falleth toward the South, or as it falleth toward the North, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. [the meaning is, as a tree that once falleth, or is felled, riseth not again, nor beareth any more fruit: so like wise when we are once dead, be it in what state or condition soever according to the soul, we shall not rise again, to enter again into this temporal life; so that we are dead, we shall not be able to give or communicate any thing unto the poor; and therefore we ought to do good, while we are alive. See Galat.6.10.]
4. Whoso observed the winds, he shall not sow, and whoso regardeth the clouds, he shall not reap. [As if he should say, he that too curiously mindeth wind and weather, and from sometime to time still looketh for better weather, not intending to sow, still he hath weather holly according to his mind, he will not easily fall upon the work of sowing, but will let flip the fittest season and opportunity of sowing: so likewise he that in harvest time, or in the time of reaping, too much regardeth wind and weather, will neglect also the seasonable time and opportunity of reaping. Some apply these words to the distribution of almes, thus: So likewise, if a man should too ferupulously think of all changes and alterations of times, as if he should think that he himself might grow poor, &c. Or, if he should think of the unworthiwhileness and unthankfulnesse of the poor, &c. He that ferupleth those things, he will never give almes, and by doing so, he will never do that which he ought to do.]
5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [To wit, whence it cometh, and whither it goeth, how long and how mightily it will blow out of one part or corner of the world, Job 3:8.] (or) of what fashion (or quality) the bones are in the womb of a (woman) with child: [Heb. Of a full (woman). By the bones here must be understood the whole bulk or fruit, or the child in the mothers womb, compare Psalms 139:15,16.] so thought knowest not the work of God, who worketh all. That is, thou knowest not, neither indeed canst know the providence of God, nor understand or apprehend what he in his most wise counsel hath decreed; how long thou shalt have and keep thy goods: therefore leave thy unnecessary and profitable care, and do good unto the poor, as long as God granteth thee life and power to do it.]
6. In the morning [that is, betimes] sow thy seed, and in the evening with-draw not thine hand: [to wit, from sowing, or from casting the seed into the ground] for thou knowest not what shall be right, either this or that; [that is whether that will grow, which thou hast sowen in the evening, or whether that will better grow which thou hast sowen in the morning] or whether they both shall be good together. [Hebr. As one, that is, alike good.]
7. Moreover, [Or truly, or surely. As if he had said, it is true indeed, etc.] the light [that is, this temporal life, that a man may behold the light of the Sun] is sweet, [that is, it is pleasing and acceptable unto man] and it is good, [that is, a pleasant thing] for the eyes to behold the Sun.
8. But if a man live many years, (and) rejoice in them all, then let him also remember the dayes of darkness; [That is, let him remember death]; for the dead are laid in the grave, where there is darkness] for they shall be many; (and) whatsoever is come, [that is, whatsoever hath befallen him] is vanity. [that is, he shall be sain to confess, that there is nothing permament and perpetual in this life, wherein a man may fully rejoice.]
9. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth and let thine heart cheer thee, [Heb. Do thee good] in the dayes of thy youthfulness, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the contemplation of thine eyes; [that is, in all that is pleasing and delightful to thine eyes, follow that freely, take thy pleasure in this life. Do whatsoever thine heart desireth, and whatsoever is pleasing and acceptable to thine eyes. From these words it appeareth plainly, that Salomon speaketh not here in good earnest, but Ironically, and by way of derision, against those that speak and mean, that which is here mentioned, in good earnest; namely, that youthful years ought or may be spent in pleasures and delights. In Numb.15.39. the Lord forbiddeth to walk in the ways of the heart] but know, that God for all these things will cause thee to come before judgment. [As if he had said, thou wilt be loath to come thither, but God will make thee come, to give an account of all that thou hast spoken and done, see below, chap.12.14.]
10. So then cause wrath to depart from thine heart, [Under the term, he comprehendeth all evil motions of the heart, which do disturb or disquiet it, when they are exhorted to forsake pleasures and delights, and to imbrace the fear of God. Others understand by wrath, sin, which provoketh the wrath of God against men. Oth. Grief , trouble, sorrow,] and put away evil, [that is, all manner of evil concupiscence, and evil lusts or sins] from thy flesh: [that is, from thy body, see Rom.6.13. and 1 Cor.6.15.] for youth and young age [the word that is used in the Hebrew text, signifieth properly the morning or break of day. Youth or childhood are as morning of mans life. The morning is soon gone, the day passeth swift away, and the presently night followeth, wherein none can work] is vanity. [in regard it is transitory, passing soon away, and full of folly.]