Ecclesiastes Eleven
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
bread upon the waters. The Hebrew word for “bread” could also be used for the “grain” from which bread is made. The metaphor is that of spreading spiritual seed far and wide, trusting eventually to find its fruit in redeemed lives.
Ecclesiastes 11:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
how the bones do grow. The marvelous process of human sexual reproduction, embryonic growth and birth is still far beyond human understanding. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14-16).
God who maketh all. It is presumptuous for evolutionists to teach that the human spirit and the human body can be explained naturalistically. Only the omnipotent, omniscient Creator could produce such wonders.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
sow thy seed. This is the same message as in Ecclesiastes 11:1. Spiritual seed (“the word of God”—Luke 8:11) should not only be sown far and wide, but also in both morning and evening. Then it is “God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7).
Ecclesiastes 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
Ecclesiastes 11:8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
days of thy youth. Compare Ecclesiastes 12:1. It is natural and proper for young people to enjoy their youthful years, but they should always do so in ways pleasing to God, for He will eventually bring their complete record to the judgment bar.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
