There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
It’s the most famous passage from Ecclesiastes. It’s a wonderful example of the power of Hebrew poetry, poetry that depends not on rhyme but on repetition of ideas. Wave after wave of ideas here leave us with no doubt: there is time for everything under the sun. It’s a human point of view; all of these things find their place here on earth.
The second half of the chapter moves to a different perspective. Notice how many times God is referred to in the next section? The message is one that is common to Ecclesiastes: “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13) Again and again Ecclesiastes says: life is fleeting, so enjoy it while it lasts. Be happy. Do good. God has made life as beautiful as it is fleeting.
Jay Abels pointed out to me this week that in the Old Testament men drew near to God not through fasting but through eating and drinking “in His presence.” Ecclesiastes emphasizes the same thing. “Time and tide wait for no man.” Men need to learn to enjoy the time that God has given them. “So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22) The processes of life will move forward, men will do good and evil, time and chance will happen to them all. Ecclesiastes says: Learn to enjoy life.