Ecclesiastes 3:1-15--The Mystery of Time

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
​Christian Standard Bible

The Mystery of Time
3 There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot;
3 a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;
6 a time to search and a time to count as lost;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to be silent and a time to speak;
8 a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

​9 What does the worker gain from his struggles? 10 I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied. 11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. 13 It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. 14 I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. 15 Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted.

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The poem in the beginning of this passage was used by the Byrds to make their song "Turn, Turn, Turn" that focused on "a time for peace" (they were against the Vietnam War).  Not only is Solomon saying there is a time and place for everything, but also that history has a way of repeating itself.  We are in a cycle that we cannot escape from.  We know this is the conclusion he intends us to draw because this poem is stuck between two different times that he talks about the worker toiling and struggling and gaining nothing.

Though work was something that God gave Adam before sin and the Fall, it became harder, more toilsome, and less fruitful because off the Fall.   Solomon's opinion of it is that work is there to keep us busy and occupied.  God has made this cycle that repeats itself so that we will long for eternity that frees us from this endless cycle that seems meaningless.

No one was there to see the good work that God did in the beginning or that He continues to do now.  Only He can reveal that to us through the Scriptures.  The godly (those who belong to God) don't worry about this cycle and they rejoice and enjoy life because they know that He has something better in store for them.  Life now and the everlasting life that He gives for all eternity (which starts now) is something that is meant to be enjoyed It is not meant to feel toilsome ore burdensome (thought this life sometimes does feel that way)

God's perfect work that He does (to save people and make them like the Son of God, Jesus) will last forever.  It will not be like the things we see affected by sin and death that are in a cycle of decay and ruin.  No one can add to the good work that God has done, and no one can take away from it.  He doesn't need our help to perfect us or make us righteous.  He does that all on His own.  To God the past, present, and future are all the same.  He is outside of time.  I love Solomon's statement that God works so that people will be in awe of Him (and give Him the worship that He is due).  Even though we expect everything in this life to continue as it has been until Jesus comes to set up His Kingdom, we know there will be a time when the LORD will make everything right and will get justice for the oppressed.  He will not like the cycle of victimization continue forever.