Read Ecclesiastes 11:1–6
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Ecclesiastes 11:1a say to do? Then, what will happen, when (verse 1b)? What does Ecclesiastes 11:2a say to do? Why (verse 2b)? What promising circumstance is in Ecclesiastes 11:3a? Then, what will happen (verse 3b)? What happens in verse 3c? Then, what happens (verse 3d)? What is the man in Ecclesiastes 11:4a doing? What won’t he do, then? What is the man in verse 4b doing? What won’t he do, then? What don’t we know (Ecclesiastes 11:5a)? What else don’t we know (verse 5b)? What should this humble us into admitting we cannot know (verse 5c)? What should one do in the morning (Ecclesiastes 11:6a)? When else might he have opportunity to do so (verse 6b)? Which one does he know will work (verse 6c–d)? What might even happen (verse 6e)?
What should we do? Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, since we cannot comprehend all of the work of God, we should be diligent and active, entrusting the outcome to Him.
First, be diligent in commerce. Casting the bread “on the waters” (Ecclesiastes 11:1) likely refers to shipping. Work to ensure your future by being diligent in commerce, even if you don’t immediately see the desired returns.
Second, be diligent in generosity. Since seven is a number of completeness, eight (Ecclesiastes 11:2a) means “be generous to whom providence brings you, and then some.” If everyone does this, there will be a neighborly charity that mitigates unexpected famine. There is also an implication here that you don’t know when you will be the one in need, so generosity now may prepare you to be an object of generosity later (cf. Luke 16:8–9).
Third, be diligent in your labor, even if you aren’t guaranteed to be the beneficiary of your outcome. Clouds empty themselves indiscriminately (Ecclesiastes 11:3a–b). A tree might fall into your neighbor’s land, or into yours, and that providence will decide who gets the wood (verse 3c–d).
Fourth, be diligent, even when the circumstances do not appear to be optimal. The man in the two illustrations in Ecclesiastes 11:4 is relying upon what he observes. But the believer doesn’t need to observe optimal circumstances, because the same Lord upon Whom He depends for the outcome is the Lord Who governs the circumstances. It’s always the optimal time to trust God and be diligent.
Fifth, be diligent, even if you don’t understand how it will fit into God’s plan. You depend upon the wind, though you don’t know how to generate it (Ecclesiastes 11:5a). Your bones formed in your mothers womb, without you understanding how (verse 5b). So, participate in the plans of the only uncreated Creator, Who sovereignly works all things (verse 5c, cf. Ephesians 1:11), even though you don’t understand the part that your efforts will have in His plan.
Sixth, be diligent at all times, even though you don’t know if it will bear fruit at all (Ecclesiastes 11:6a–c). Something will be fruitful (verse 6d), maybe everything (verse 6e). But again, that is in the Lord’s hands, the safest place for it to be.
When do you find yourself struggling with lack of diligence? Of the six obstacles to diligence above, which are the most challenging for you? What truths about God, and about Christ, will be helpful against these obstacles?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we have tried to guess what You are doing, or have talked ourselves into laziness, by the idea that we could control the outcomes of our efforts. Thank you for Christ’s diligence, which is counted for us. By His blood, cleans us from our sin. And by His resurrection, make us to walk in newness of life, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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