Quotes & Notes
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Adam Clarke Commentary:
Two general remarks may be made on the first eight verses of
this chapter. 1. God by his providence governs the world, and has
determined particular things and operations to particular times. In
those times such things may be done with propriety and success; but if
we neglect the appointed seasons, we sin against this providence, and
become the authors of our own distresses. 2. God has given to man that
portion of duration called TIME; the space in which all the operations
of nature, of animals, and intellectual beings, are carried on; but
while nature is steady in its course, and animals faithful to their
instincts, man devotes it to a great variety of purposes; but very
frequently to that for which God never made time, space, or opportunity.
And all we can say, when an evil deed is done, is, there was a time in
which it was done, though God never made it for that purpose.
To say any farther on this subject is needless, as the words themselves
give in general their own meaning. The Jews, it is true, see in these
times and seasons all the events of their own nation, from the birth of
Abraham to the present times; and as to fathers and their followers,
they see all the events and states of the Christian Church in them!
It is worthy of remark, that in all this list there are but two things
which may be said to be done generally by the disposal of God, and in
which men can have but little influence: the time of birth, and the time
of death. But all the others are left to the option of man, though God
continues to overrule them by his providence. The following paraphrase
will explain all that is necessary to be generally understood.
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John Wesley Notes:
A season-A certain time appointed by God for its being and
continuance, which no human wit or providence can alter. And by virtue
of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world,
whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. Which is here added to
prove the principal proposition, That all things below are vain, and
happiness is not to be found in them, because of their great
uncertainty, and mutability, and transitoriness, and because they are so
much out of the reach and power of men, and wholly in the disposal of
God. Purpose-Not only natural, but even the voluntary actions of men,
are ordered and disposed by God. But it must be considered, that he does
not here speak of a time allowed by God, wherein all the following
things may lawfully be done, but only of a time fixed by God, in which
they are actually done.
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1599 Geneva Bible Notes:
He speaks of this diversity of time for two causes first to
declare that there is nothing in this world perpetual: next to teach us
not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once according to our
desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish.
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Family Bible Notes:
In human affairs there is, by God's appointment, a constant alternation
of opposite events, lying beyond the control of men. For the purposes of
probation, this is a wise and good arrangement. But for the enjoyment of
this world, which is what the Preacher has in view, it is an evil; for
it makes all present good uncertain and transient.
- Jamieson-Faucett-Brown:
Earthly pursuits are no doubt lawful in their proper time and order (Ec
3:1-8), but unprofitable when out of time and place; as for instance,
when pursued as the solid and chief good (Ec 3:9,10); whereas God makes
everything beautiful in its season, which man obscurely comprehends (Ec
3:11). God allows man to enjoy moderately and virtuously His earthly
gifts (Ec 3:12,13). What consoles us amidst the instability of earthly
blessings is, God's counsels are immutable (Ec 3:14).
1. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun,
wind, and water (Ec 1:5-7).
purpose--as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example,
He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," Ec 3:2),
so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and
inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly
blessings (Ec 3:12); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them
the chief end (1Co 7:31). The earth, without human desires, love, taste,
joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other
hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control.
Reason and revelation are given to control them.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* every thing. Ec 3:17; 7:14; 8:5,6; 2Ki 5:26; 2Ch 33:12; Pr 15:23; Mt
16:3
* under. Ec 1:13; 2:3,17
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