What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 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. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
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. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
Comment: One needs a lot more than a ‘short answer’ to deal thoroughly with this passage. On my initial reading four phrases standout for me. i) ‘He (God) has made everything beautiful’. This encourages me to see God in His Creator role and the world in which we live is extraordinarily beautiful but if I see a hyena awaiting to steal and tear to pieces and eat a newborn deer calf, I say to myself ‘Do I see that as beautiful?’ ii) ‘He (God) has put eternity into man’s heart’ makes me think again about whether or not I believe that there is another post-death life to be considered. iii) ‘Everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil’ – the ending is so different from the common quoted ending (and be merry) and it makes much more sense to me! I find know that there are many emotions tied up with ‘work’ – but I found my work so challenging and satisfying. Proverbs say ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece‘, finding pleasure and satisfaction in work is so much better! iv) ‘God seeks what has been driven away.‘ Does this mean that God would like us to remember much of what history seeks to teach us and for us to recall morals and truths which many modern day philosophers and educators are seeking to make obsolete?
Prayer: Thank You Father that Your word is so challenging and instructive!
As I read it! 