The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 40

Vers. 4-1.-The stability of nature. The Preacher was struck with the strong contrast between the permanence of nature and the transiency of human life; e.nd the thought oppressed and pained him. We may take bis view of the subject-and our own. We look at the stability of nature- I. As IT APPEABS To OUR SENSES. To the outward eye _things do continue as they were- "Che.ngeless march the ate.re above, Changeless morn Stlcceeds to even, And the everlasting hills, Changeless, watch the changeless heaven." The hills, "rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun;" the "unchanging, everlasting sea;" the rivers that flow down the centuries as well as through the lands; the plains that stretch for long ages beneath the skies ;-these aspects of nature are impressive enough to the simplest imagination; they make this earth which is our home to be charged with deepest interest and clothed with truest grandeur. No man, who bas an eye to see and a heart to feel, can fail to be affected by them. II. As IT APPEALS TO OUR REASON. The stability of all things about and above us: 1. Gives us time to study tbo nature and the causes of things, and enables one genera- tion to hand down the results of its researches to another, so that we are constantly accumulating knowledge. 2. Gives us proof of the unity of God. 3. Assures us of the mighty power of the great Author of nature, who is seen to be strong to sustain and preserve and renew. III. .As IT AFFECTS OUR LIFE, For what would happen if everything were incon- stant and uncertain? What would be the effect on human labour and on human life if there were no dependence to be placed on the continuance, as they are, of land and sea, of earth and sky, of bill and plain? How does the security of all the great objects and systems of the world add incentive to our industry! how does it multiply our achievements I how does it enlarge and enrich our life I 'l'hat we shall be able to complete what we have begun, and that we have a good hope of handing down our work to our successors,-is not this a large factor, a powerful inspiration, among us'! IV. As IT DWARFS ·oun INDlVIDUAL CAREER. 'l'he Preacher seemed to feel this ncutely. What a small, slight, evanescent thing is a human lire when compared with the long ranges of time that the ancient earth and the more ancient heavens have known I A generation comes and goes, while a river hardly changes its course by a sin~lo curve; me.ny generations pass, while the face of the rocks is not visibly affected by all the waves that beat upon its sul'face night and day; all the generations of men, from the time that a human face was first turned up to heaven, have been looked down upon by those silent stars! Why make so much of so transient a thing as a human life? Ay, but look at it- V. IN TIIE LIGHT OF THE SPIRITUAL AND THE ETERNAL. 1. 'l'he worth of spiritual life is not determined by its duration. 'l'he life of a human spirit-if that be the life of purity, holiness, reverence, love, generosity, aspiration-is of more account in the estimate of Divine wisdom, even though it be extended over a mere decade of years, than the existence which knows nothing of these nobilities, even though it should be extended over many thousands of years. 2. Moreover, holy human life on earth lead~ on and up to the life which is eternal. So that we, whose course upon the earth i~ so short, who are but of yesterday nnd with whom to-morrow may not be, do ye,  ECCLESIASTES; on, '1'1Irn PUBACHER. [cu. I, 1---18.