S) "11 He has made everything [b]appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, [c]yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ecclesiastes 3
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ecclesiastes 3
O) There were two footnotes in the translation of this verse that I left here, because I think they shed a lot of light on this verse. First, the word "appropriate" used there, literally means "beautiful," and I'm not really sure why they would make this change. I suppose, given the list in vv.2-8, the translators may have thought some of those things were difficult to see as beautiful. But, there are a few problems with that judgment. For one thing, we need to remember who makes the definitions about such things. If God calls something beautiful, who are we to argue? Also, this is a book of poetic wisdom, so leaving the words translated literally, doesn't mean their meanings have to be taken in the most literal sense. Saying, "everything beautiful" doesn't have to apply to the previous list of things, and could just as easily (and possibly more appropriately) be applied to the following lines, regard the work which God has done. That brings me to the second footnote.
The wording, "yet so that man," may also be translated as, "without which man," and that seems to make much more sense. While it is true that we will never know all the mysteries of God's works, we need to see the context here, and throughout the entirety of the Bible. God has indeed shown us the span of His works, in the timeframe of the beginning and end of the world. He gave us the book of Genesis, and the Revelation of John. Giving us a conceptual understanding of eternity, and then giving us the creation account, and then the vision of the final judgment day, seem like one builds into the other. It seems rather odd to say that we have eternity set in our hearts, but God doesn't want us to find out the work He has done from start to finish, but that He also gives us the account of the start and the finish. I do appreciate the footnotes, here.
Now, on the topic of eternity and our hearts, which has not footnote, this raises a very important point. God has given mankind certain kinds of innate understandings. It is supernaturally given, imbedded in us, there even from childhood, for us to realize that our lives are more than the breaths we have while on earth. This is, by my estimation, very similar to what Paul meant in Romans 1:20. It is only through learned pessimism and persuasive hedonism, that people are convinced that this world, this life in this world, is all we have.
The wording, "yet so that man," may also be translated as, "without which man," and that seems to make much more sense. While it is true that we will never know all the mysteries of God's works, we need to see the context here, and throughout the entirety of the Bible. God has indeed shown us the span of His works, in the timeframe of the beginning and end of the world. He gave us the book of Genesis, and the Revelation of John. Giving us a conceptual understanding of eternity, and then giving us the creation account, and then the vision of the final judgment day, seem like one builds into the other. It seems rather odd to say that we have eternity set in our hearts, but God doesn't want us to find out the work He has done from start to finish, but that He also gives us the account of the start and the finish. I do appreciate the footnotes, here.
Now, on the topic of eternity and our hearts, which has not footnote, this raises a very important point. God has given mankind certain kinds of innate understandings. It is supernaturally given, imbedded in us, there even from childhood, for us to realize that our lives are more than the breaths we have while on earth. This is, by my estimation, very similar to what Paul meant in Romans 1:20. It is only through learned pessimism and persuasive hedonism, that people are convinced that this world, this life in this world, is all we have.
A) Taking this whole verse in its various dimensions, it serves as instruction for me to remember these points. I need to let God, and let His word, continue to set the definitions for what is good and beautiful. There are difficult circumstances, difficult times, but if I continue to seek God's perspective about my life and the various trials I face, I will find the beauty He has told me is there. By focusing on eternity, and on the eternal things rather than the temporal things, I will remember some of the purposes God has in fact revealed, about any situation. I won't always know the deep purposes of God. Some things will remain a mystery for my entire earthly existence, but I can still find comfort and encouragement from remembering His greater purposes are still there, even if I can't see them clearly.
P) Father, thank You for the grace at work, even in Yoyr creation of humanity, and how You have set mankind with certain inherent understanding. Open my eyes and ears, that I may continue to understand Your ways. Help me be more aware, more consistently, of eternity. Help me be conscious of eternal implications, in my Bible study, worship, and prayers, and in my relationships, ministry, and hobbies. Be glorified in my life, in who You made me to be, and how I live out that plan. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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