Ecclesiastes 11

The Explanation

The writer of Ecclesiastes is an old, wise man. In this chapter he gives advice to young people. But it is strange advice. Listen to how he begins: "Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days." What does that mean? Throw your bread in the water? He means: dare to give something away, dare to do good, even if you do not see straight away what comes of it. Later, sometimes much later, you get something back for it. Then he says: give a portion to seven, even to eight people. In other words: share generously, because you never know when hard times will come.

After that he talks about clouds and trees. When clouds are full, they rain. When a tree falls, it stays where it fell. Those are simple facts of nature. But then comes verse 4, and this is important: whoever keeps staring at the wind will never sow. Whoever keeps looking at the clouds will never reap. In other words: if you always wait until conditions are perfect, you will never do anything.

Then the writer says something honest. You do not know how the wind works. You do not know how a baby grows in its mother's belly. In the same way, you do not know exactly what God is doing. So just sow in the morning, and keep working in the evening too. You do not know which seed will grow well, so plant a lot of them.

At the end of the chapter it becomes lighter, almost cheerful. The light of the sun is sweet, he writes. Enjoy your life. Rejoice, young man, in your youth. But he adds something serious right after: know that God will one day judge everything you do. So remove sadness from your heart, and stay away from evil. Your youth passes quickly.

What Does This Mean?

This chapter is about a difficult truth: we cannot see the future. We do not know what will grow well, what will fail, or what will happen tomorrow. And yet the writer does not say: then just sit still and worry. He says the opposite. Precisely because you do not know, you must start. Sow. Give. Enjoy. Do good.

That is honest. The Bible does not promise that you can figure everything out. God is bigger than our understanding. Just as a baby in the belly is a mystery, God's work is a mystery too. But that is not a reason to be afraid. It is a reason to trust.

The Common Thread

Ecclesiastes belongs to the Bible books full of wisdom. And this wisdom points ahead to Jesus. Jesus also told a story about a sower who sowed seed. Some seed fell on rocks, some among thorns, some on good ground. The sower did not stop just because some seed failed. He kept sowing.

Jesus Himself did the same. He gave His love away, His words, His time, even His life. He cast His bread upon the waters, so to speak. And after many days, something enormous came back: people all over the world who believe in Him. God works in secret, deep down, like a seed in the earth. You do not always see it, but He is busy.

For You

Perhaps you sometimes think: what does it matter if I am kind to that one boy in class? What does it matter if I share something? What does it matter if I pray? You do not see any results. Ecclesiastes 11 says: keep doing it. Sow in the morning, sow in the evening. You do not know which of your good deeds God will use. Maybe all of them.

And enjoy your life. Really. Play outside, laugh with your friends, enjoy the sunlight. That is not silly, that is a gift from God. Only, do not forget who gave it to you. Live in a way that you will not later be ashamed of.

Talk About It

Why do you think God does not show us exactly what is going to happen tomorrow? Would you want to know?

What is something good you could "sow" this week, even if you do not know what will come of it?

Praying Together

Lord, thank You that You are working, even when we do not see it. Help us to do good and to share, also when we do not know what it will bring. Teach us to enjoy the sun, our friends, and this day. And keep us close to You. Amen.