Ecclesiastes 3:1

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is. time for every event under heaven”

“appointed time” -a fixed, definite portion of time, esp.,. stated time. “This verse is not intended to suggest that all things are pre-determined or that man has no choice in arranging certain times and events. If this were true, the distinction between the 'good man' and the 'sinner' would be inappropriate. In addition, there would be little meaning given to admonition and rebuke-Ecclesiastes 5:1; Ecclesiastes 12:1” (Kidwell p. 73).

Points to Note:

1 These verses really strike at human independence. We may think that we have control over our lives and what we will do each day, but. closer look makes us realize that often we are doing nothing more than reacting instead of acting. “Obviously, we have little say in the situations which move us to weep or laugh, mourn or dance….'Who would imagined', we sometimes say, 'that the day would come when. should find myself doing such-and-such, and seeing it as my duty! So the peace-loving nation prepares for war; or the shepherd takes the knife to the creature he has earlier nursed back to health. The collector disperses his hoard; friends part in bitter conflict; the need to speak out follows the need to be silent” (Kidner p. 38). 2. The things in this chapter basically happen to every generation. 3. And people may try to laugh, when it is. time to mourn, but they will only experience frustration and failure. 4. While the sinner becomes frustrated at life, realizing that they are not marching to. tune of their own making, the Christian seeks to accept the fact that many unexpected things will happen in life, and that life isn't going to always follow our game plan.