A Brief Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Commentary on Ecclesiastes · Verses 61
Eccleſ. 11.4.5.6.
4 He that obſerveth the wind, ſhall not ſow, and he that regardeth the clouds, ſhall not reape.
5 As thou knoweſt not what is the way of the ſpirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even ſo thou knoweſt not the works of God who maketh all.
6 In the morning ſow thy ſeed, and in the evening withhould not thine hand: for thou knoweſt not whether ſhall proſper, either this or that, or whether they both ſhall be alike good.
SOlomon in regard of the dangers of the-times, when Kings are childiſh, and Princes humerous, exhorted to liberality in v. 1, 2, 3. which was the ſecond duty he inferred upon that occaſion. In theſe words he preſſeth ſtill the ſame, but with an enlargement unto all faithfulneſſe and diligence in any duty of a mans calling, eſpecially in ſuch dangerous times; which is a third improvement of ſuch evil times. To ſet forward this duty, he removeth a doubt which might hinder a man from Benificence and fruitfulneſſe in his courſe and calling. The doubt is taken either from the ſear of ſome danger, or danger that might befall a man in ſo doing, which he expreſſeth under a proverbial compariſon, taken from husbandmen, who for feare of foule weather doe ſometimes neglect ſome duty of husbandry in ſeed time or harveſt, v. 4. Or elſe, from ſome difficulty, which ſometimes accompany Chriſtian and holy, and great undertakings of duty, eſpecially ſuch duties as may help forward Reformation in ſuch times.
To the former he anſwereth, v. 4. That ſuch feares of damage and danger are more dangerous then the hurt we feare: For they will prevent the performance of all good duties, and the recompence of that performance: As an husbandman that obſerveth the wind ſhall never ſow, and he that obſerveth the clouds ſhall never reap, v. 4.
To the latter he anſwereth, by oppoſing the ſtrange and ſecret aſſiſtance, and ſucceſſe, and deliverance which God giveth unto men in the duties of their calling. Which he amplifieth by a compariſon from the like ſecret aſſiſtance and deliverance which God giveth to the child faſhioned in the wombe, both in the framing of his ſpirit (or ſoule) and in the ſetting and ordering of his bones; which is a ſtrange, yet ordinary ſecret in nature, like unto which all the works which a man undertaketh in his calling are faſhioned and wrought of God, who worketh all, v. 5. And thus it commeth to paſſe, when God is pleaſed to put to his helping hand to us in the works of our calling; otherwiſe nothing proſpereth in our hand.
From both which Solomon inferreth an exhortation to diligence, and fruitfulneſs in our calling, directly contrary to the former doubts and difficulties. The Objector propounded doubts and difficulties, and thereupon neglected to ſow. But Solomon inferreth a contrary concluſion; therefore to ſow more abundantly and diligently. In the morning ſow thy ſeed, and in the evening let not thy hand reſt, or ceaſe. Reaſon whereof he giveth, from the uncertainty of the event or iſſue, reſerved of God to this or that duty or work, For thou knoweſt not whether ſhall proſper, this or that; or whether both ſhall be alike good, v. 6.
Doctr. He that ſhall be diſcouraged from Beneficence in his courſe, and from faithfulneſſe in his calling, by doubts and fears of uncertain dangers and damages, ſhall never do good in this world, nor receive good in the world that is to come.
He that obſerveth the wind] that is, ſo obſerveth it, as to forbear ſowing.
Shall never ſow] that is, never doe good in this life, which is a time of ſowing.
He that obſerveth the clouds] which are as uncertain ſignes of bad weather, as the winde.
He ſhall never reap] to wit, any recompence of his work, in the other world, which is the harveſt time chiefly, Matth. 13.39. though there is alſo an haryeſt time of reaping even in this world, Prov. 11.31. As if a man ſhall be loath to caſt his bread upon the waters, for feare of ſickneſſe, old age, ſtore of children growing on, the unſetledneſs of the times, &c. Such an one ſhall both loſe his ſeed, his good work, and his harveſt of reward from God. As the Husbandman that keepeth his Corn in his Garner or Barn, for fear of ſowing in doubtfull weather, ſhall both loſe his crop, and in time vermin and other caſualty wil conſume his grane in his barne.
Reaſon 1. From the uncertainty of the events of all endeavours, in an ordinary courſe. Text, v. 6, Act. 20.22. God ſo providing that the godly ſhould live by faith; and the wicked ſhould either firſt, grow unprofitable in their Talents, becauſe God is an hard maſter, Matth. 25.24. Secondly, grow hardned, either in pride, if they proſper, Amos 6.13. Habac. 1.16. Or in diſcontent if they be croſſed, Iſai. 8.21.
Reaſon 2. From the ſorrow and affliction that God hath annexed to all the labours of our calling, Gen. 3.19.
Reaſon 3. From Satans readineſſe and watchfulneſſe to ſtir up and aggravate dangers and diſcouragements to any goodneſs, Rev. 12.4.
Reaſon 4. From the trials which God puts upon us, by cauſing many dangers and evils to hover over us, though not to bring them upon us, but to try our obedience. So the people in the wilderneſſe feared thirſt, and famine and the Anakims, but it was onelyonly to try their obedience. For God was ever ready with ſupply, Deut. 8.2.
Reaſon 5. From our own faithleſſe and ſluggiſh hearts, which are ready to imagine feares of evil, where none be. Prov. 26.13. Lions are as much afraid of Streets, as men of deſerts.
Ʋſe 1. To teach us wiſely to conſider what good duties God requireth of us in our Chriſtian courſe and calling, and ſet upon it without feare or forlorne diſcouragement. Every man in his place, The Magiſtrate, Neh. 6.9, 11. The Miniſter, Acts 20.22, 23, 24. Luke 13.31, 32. Yea the wife, 1 Pet. 3.6. Yea children and ſervants, feare not turning to God for feare of carnal parts, Maſters, Fellowes, &c.
Queſt. But may not a man for feare of danger hold off his hand from ſome duty in ſome caſes?
Anſw. Yes, in caſe two things concurre; Firſt, The dangers be certaine, not as windes and Cloudes which may as well blow over, as bring foul weather. Secondly, The dangers be of greater dammage, then the duty can be of uſe to my felfe and others. Thus David ſpared Joab, 2 Sam. 3.39. and the Jewes forbore the building of the Temple, Ezra 4.23, 24. Otherwiſe feare not their feares, 1 Pet. 3.14. Prov. 29.25. Luke 12.4, 5.
Ʋſe 2. To look at all good duties, as ſowing of ſeed, Gal. 6.7, 8. As therefore a man would make choyce of precious ſeed. So doe every worke in the beſt manner, let ſacrifices be of the fatteſt, Gen 4.3, 4.
Ʋſe 3. To expect an harveſt, a reaping time according to our ſeed, Gal. 6.7, to 10.