The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 96

II. OrroBTUNENEBB, The words of the text may suggest to ns, though the thought may not have been in the writer's mind, that some things are good or other- wise according to their timeliness. There is a time to speak in the way of rebuking, or of jesting, or of contending, and, when well-timed, such words may be right and wise in a very high degree; but, if ill-timed, they would be wrong and foolish, and much to be condemned. The same thought is applicable to the demonstration of friendliness, or of any strong emotion (vers. 5, 7); to the exercise of severity or of leniency (ver. 3); to the manifestation of sorrow or of joy (ver. 4); to the action of economy or of generosity (ver. 6). Hard-and-fast rules will not cover the infinite particulars of human life. Whether we shall act or be passive, whether we shall speak or be silent, what shall be our demeanour and what the tone we shall take,-this must depend upon particular circumstances and a number of new combinations; and every man must judge for himself, and must remember that there is great virtue in opportuneness. III. ORDINATION. There is a season, an "appointed time for every undertaking" (Cox). "What profit bath he that worketh," when all this" travail" with which" the sons of men" are exercised results in such fixed and inevitable changes? That is the spirit of the moralist here. We reply: 1. That it is indeed true that much is already appointed for us. v-,r e have no power, or but little, over the seasons and the elements of nature, and not very much (individually) over the institutions and customs of the land in which we live; we are compelled to conform our behaviour to forces which a.re superior to our own. 2. But there is a very large remainder of freedom. Within the lines that are laid down by the ordination of Heaven or the "powers that be " on the earth, there is ample scope for free, wise, life-giving choice of action. We are free to choose our own conduct, to form our own character, to determine the complexion and aspect of our life in the sight of God, to decide upon our destiny.-C. Ver. 11. -" This 11,n·intelligible world." How shall we solve all those great problems which continually confront us, whioh baffle and bewilder us, which sometimes drive us to the very verge of distraction or even of unbelief? The solution is partly found in- I . .A. WIDE VIEW OF THE WORTH OF PRESENT THINGS. If we look long and far, we shall see that, though many things have an ugly aspect at first sight, God "has made everything beautiful in its time." The light and warmth of summer are good to see and feel; but is not the cold of winter invigorating? and what is more beautiful to the sight than the untrodden snow? The returning life of spring is welcome to all hearts ; but are not the brilliant hues of autumn fascinating to every eye? Youth is full of ardour, and manhood of strength; but declining years possess much richness of gathered wisdom, and there is a dignity, a calm, a reverence, in age which is all its own. There is a joy in battle as well as a pleasantness in peace. Wealth has its treasures; but poverty hns little to lose, and therefore little cause for anxiety and trouble. Luxury brings many comforts, but hardness gives health and strength. Each climate upon the earth, every condition in life, the various dispositions and temperaments of the human soul,-these have their own particular advantage and compensation. Look on the other side, and you will see something that will please, if it does not satisfy. II. TeE HELP WE GAIN FBOM THE GREAT ELEMENT oF FUTURITY. "Also he bath set eternity" (marginal reading, Revised Version) "in their heart." We nre made to look far beyond the boundary of the visible and the present. The idea of" the eternal" may help us in two ways. 1. That we are created for the unseen and the eternal accounts for the fact that nothing which is earthly and sensible will satisfy our souls. Nothing of that order ought to do so; and it would put the seal upon our degraaation if it did so. Our unsatisfiable spirit is the signature of our manhood and the prophecy of our immortality. 2. The inclusion of the future in our reasoning makes all the difference to out· thought. Admit only the passing time, this brief and uncertain life, and much that happens is inexplicable and distressing indeed; but include the fuLure, add "eternity " to the account, and the "crooked is made straight," the perplexity is gone. But, even with this aid, there is- III. THE MYSTERY WHICH REMAINS, AND WILL REMAIN, "No man can find out," etc. We do well to remember that what we see is only a very small part indeed of the . whole-only a page of the great volume, only a scene in the great drama, only a field 80 ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. [en. m. 1-22.