Ecclesiastes 11 - Introduction
_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ An exhortation to works of charity, Ecclesiastes 11:1. An admonition to prepare betimes for death and judgment, Ecclesiastes 11:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ An exhortation to works of charity, Ecclesiastes 11:1. An admonition to prepare betimes for death and judgment, Ecclesiastes 11:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cast thy bread_ That is, thy seed, which is here called bread, as it is also Job 28:5, and Isaiah 28:28, because the produce of it makes bread, and the husbandman could ill spare it, wanting it, perhaps, for bread for himself and family; _upon the waters_ That is, either by the rivers' sides, or in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give a portion to seven_ A part of thy estate or provisions. He alludes to the ancient custom, whereby the master of the feast distributed several parts to each guest, and withal sent portions to the poor. _And also to eight_ To as many as thou art able. _For thou knowest not what evil shall be_, &... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves_, &c. Learn, O man, the practice of liberality from the very lifeless creatures, from the clouds; which, when they are filled with water, do not hoard it up, but plentifully pour it forth, for the refreshment both of the fruitful field and the ba... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that observeth the wind, shall not sow_, &c. He who neglects the necessary works of sowing and reaping, because the weather is not exactly suitable to his desires, will lose his harvest. Whereby he intimates, that men will never do good here, which is expressed by _sowing_, and consequently not... [ Continue Reading ]
_As thou knowest not the way of the spirit_ Of the soul of man, how it comes into the child in the womb; or how it is united with the body; or how, and whether it goes out of the body. _Nor how the bones do grow_ That is, the whole body, which is elsewhere signified by the bones, because they are a... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the morning_ Early and late, in all seasons, and on all occasions; do it speedily and continually: be not weary of it. _Sow thy seed_ Do all good works, especially that of alms-giving, as sowing means, 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7. _In the evening withhold not thy hand_ From working, or givi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly, the light is sweet_ It cannot be denied, that this present life is in itself a great blessing, and desirable; but it is not perpetual nor satisfactory: for, _if a man live many years_ Which is a privilege granted but to few persons comparatively; _and rejoice in them all_ Enjoy all the comfo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice_, &c. This is an ironical concession, like many which occur in the Scriptures, (see 1Ki 18:27; 1 Kings 22:15; Ezekiel 28:3; Matthew 26:45,) and in other authors: _O young man, in thy youth_ He speaks to young men particularly, because they have both the greatest ability and the strongest in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore remove sorrow_ Sensual and disorderly lusts, which he elegantly calls _sorrow_, to intimate, that although such practices at present gratify men's senses, yet they will shortly bring them to intolerable sorrows. _And put away evil from thy flesh_ All evil desires, though now they seem goo... [ Continue Reading ]