Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 ¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
In scripture the term “bread” is usually a reference to one’s provision to sustain life. Since I am interested in prophecy, I couldn’t help but think of the verse in Revelation that identifies the “waters” as multitudes of people.
Revelation 17:15 “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
If those are valid connections, Solomon is extolling the benefit of generosity. Those who are generous to others will more likely find themselves at the receiving end of another’s generosity in their own time of need.
As I looked at some of the other translations and a few commentaries, they made application to diversification in financial investments. The Complete Jewish Bible supported this understanding: “Send your resources out over the seas; eventually you will reap a return. Divide your merchandise into seven or eight shares, since you don’t know what disasters may come on 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.
As we observe the creation, we see that once the clouds are full of rain, they empty that rain upon the earth; this cycle is a natural one that was set in motion by the Creator. When a tree falls as a natural result of impact from its surrounding environment, it has no control over the direction it falls nor can it change its position once it has fallen.
I think in connection with the previous verse, emphasis is being given to the truth that life has a natural ebb and flow over which we have no real control.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
I think the NLT expresses this thought well: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” One who adopts this attitude will find himself with idle hands; and idleness always feeds the flesh and sin. This brings to mind the old saying, “Idleness is the devil’s workshop.”
We have no control over the wind or the clouds; they function according to the laws established by the Creator. Our lack of control should not prevent us from taking action to provide for ourselves and our families. It brings to mind another old saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
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2 comments:
One of my mentors, a Colonel in the Finnish Army, had his own version of why one shouldn't strive for perfection: The Best is the Enemy of Good Enough.
I try to use that piece of advice in my writings. Eventually, I stop fiddling with them, although they might still have flaws.
Natural ebb and flow reminds me of the natural climate change that has been occuring in my considerable time on earth. I can remember the worry of another possible ice age and then global warming. It has now leveled out to no significant change for several years and I notice the powers that be have changed back to climate change! Almost funny!
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