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Summary

Ecclesiastes 11:1–6 – Bold Diligence, Humble Limits

What happens: Cast your bread on the waters and you will find it later. Give portions to seven or eight, for you do not know what disaster may come. If clouds are full, they pour rain; if a tree falls, it lies where it falls. He who watches the wind will not sow; sow morning and evening, for you do not know which work will prosper.

What it means: Diversify, take wise risks, and refuse paralysis by analysis. God rules outcomes; our part is steady effort. Faith works hard while admitting limits.

Ecclesiastes 11:7–10 – Rejoice, Remember Judgment

What happens: Light is sweet and life is good to the eyes. Let the young rejoice, walk in the ways of their hearts, yet know that God will bring all into judgment. Remove sorrow and put away pain, for youth is brief.

What it means: Joy and accountability belong together under God. He delights in our gladness and calls us to holiness. Wisdom enjoys life within the fear of the Lord.

Application

  • Act instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
  • Diversify your efforts and trust God with results.
  • Rejoice fully and live responsibly, remembering God’s judgment.

Bible

1Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5As 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.

6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

8But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

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