Chapter Three

In the first two chapters, Solomon explained the extent he searched for purpose in life. In Chapter three and the next three chapters, he shares his philosophy in this search. Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the Byrds made his observations starting Chapter 3 known to the past few generations, but used these passages as a secular pleading to end the war in Vietnam. In fact, the last verse of these observations state there is a right time for everything. The last verse says a right time to wage war and another to make peace. Jesus said there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. What he is saying is that there are many things God has control over that we don't have.

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to reap. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to destroy and a time to construct. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to lament and a time to cheer. A time to make love and abstain. A time to embrace and at time to part. A time to search and count your losses. A time to hold and let go. A time to rip out and mend. A time to shut up and speak up. A time to love and hate. A time to wage war and make peace. There are times and seasons for everything under the sun. You have no control over it, God does. In the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does, he asks. Solomon says he had a good look at what God has given us to do...mostly busywork. He makes everything beautiful in its time, but we are left in the dark. We don't know what is coming, or going. He decided the best thing to do is go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life: eat, drink and make the most out of our job. It is God's gift.

Further Solomon concludes that whatever God does, that's the way it is going to be. You can't change it. You can't add to or subtract from it. So quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. God has hidden his purpose from us. He does require an accounting of what we have done with that time. We are to make the best of what is so. Solomon shows us the hand of God. We must reconcile what is and believe it is best for the present. As the earlier verses show us, the only thing certain is change. I believe a lot of our despair comes in not realizing that. Actually, I know this from my own experience. So, is that a truth for you? Do you think you have more control over what happens? Do you wrestle with changing seasons? I still do.

The verses continue. The place of judgment (courts and politics) is corrupt. The place of righteousness (religion) is corrupt. God is testing the lot of us, showing us up as nothing but animals. There is a right time for every thing, every deed and no getting around it. All will be judged for their actions. One commentary I have read says this: You are gods, but with out the fear of God it is all vanity. The judge will not rightly judge and misuse his power. It is vanity that causes oppression and greed. It is a fear and respect of God that causes a man to do what is right. We have no control over floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes. With the philosophy and mind of God, we can help others recover and overcome. Apart from what God gives us, we can't know or understand God or what is going on in our world or our own lives. Solomon says everything God does will remain forever. There is nothing to add to or take from it. God has made it this way that we might fear him. Nothing we do is permanent.

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

We come from dust and go back to dust. We don't know for sure that human spirits rise to heaven than we know animal spirits descend on earth. So Solomon made up his mind that there is nothing better for women and men to do but enjoy their lives and have a good time, whatever we do. Who knows if there is anything else in life? How in the world do we grasp this concept?