August 26, 2009
IGNORANCE IS BLISS!
Ecclesiastes 3
Troy Dandrea
Central Truth
Our heavenly Father knows the whole of our future. Knowing that He knows all things, is intrinsically good, and seeks what is truly best for His children, we can fully rest in our hearts and find our highest delight in Him each day as His will for our lives unfolds.
Key Verse | Ecclesiastes 3:11
God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time,
but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart
so that people cannot discover what God has ordained,
from the beginning to the end of their lives.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
The God-Given Task
9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. 1 3:15 Hebrew what has been pursued
From Dust to Dust
16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 2 3:19 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a vapor or mere breath (see note on 1:2) 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
Dive Deeper | Ecclesiastes 3
"When you learn to share, you can have that toy back!"
"Don't get mixed up with the wrong crowd."
"Drugs and irresponsible drinking will hurt you."
When my mom said these things growing up, I'd think, "You joy-killer! You're old, smokin' something, and don't know what you're talkin' about!"
I realize now—after many years—that my mom loved me, wanted to guide and protect me, and wanted very much for me to have a joyful life. Oh, how much pain and regret I could have avoided—and my mom as well—if I had just trusted and obeyed her!
Our heavenly Father wants the same for us, much more than even our parents do. He is in complete control (Isaiah 40:9-31), and knows the whole of what our future holds (Psalm 139:16). But we often think we know better and question God's goodness. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives." Ignorance of what each day holds is bliss because our Father loves us (John 17:23)! He wants to guide us (Proverbs 3:5-6), seeks to protect us (Luke 13:34), gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for us (John 3:16), and desires that we have lasting joy in Him (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Knowing God's relentless love and incomparable strength to lead my life, I still try to exercise control of events and have the same attitude as I had growing up:
"Lord, please don't take that from me!"
"Why didn't You give me that position?"
"Why have I been dealt this hand in life?"
I grieve His heart and cause pain and regret in my life even now because I sometimes don't simply trust and obey Him. Knowing His sovereignty and deep love, I don't need to worry or figure out tomorrow. I can confidently relax in my ignorance of what each day holds. He wants me to rest deeply and entrust my days to Him.
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life do you question the Lord or get angry with Him?
2. Which specific promises of God do you simply not trust (in words or actions) that cause you to worry or go your own way?
3. In your words, actions, thoughts, relationships, etc., what little steps can you take to find deep rest for your heart even in the midst of the worries of life?