Ecclesiastes
Chapter 11
The Risk
Cast your bread on the water, for after some time, you’ll find it again.
Share with seven or even eight, for you never know what misfortune might strike the earth.
When clouds are heavy, rain falls to the ground; and when a tree falls, facing south or north, it will lie there.
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who observes the clouds will not reap.
Just as you do not know how the spirit pervades the members in the mother’s womb, neither will you understand the work of God, the creator of all things.
Plant your seed in the morning and stay busy until evening, because you don’t know which will succeed. What if both turn out to be good?
Youth and Old Age
Light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
If a man lives for many years, let him rejoice in them all, considering that dark days will come and that everything afterward will be insignificant.
Rejoice, young man, in your youth and guide your heart well while you’re young; follow your desires and pursue your ambitions, but remember that God will consider everything you do.
Drive sorrow from your heart and pain from your flesh, for youth and dark hair will not last.
Commentaries
The Risk.
In this section, Qohelet explores the theme of daring and prudence. The familiar ways of expression have shifted; now he employs imperatives, paired sentences, numerical statements, verbal repetitions, and key words. We do not see the typical expressions used earlier.
Verses 1 and 5 present a particular challenge. The proverb in verse 1 has sparked many interpretations. It has been connected to verses 2, 5, and 6, which mention ignorance about the future. It has also been interpreted as referring to the image of bait thrown into the water by a fisherman, or suggesting that Qohelet’s advice was not meant to discourage his disciple impulsively, but to prevent disappointment. Verse 5 is a wisdom expression that discusses the formation of the embryo (cf. Job 10:11). As in 1:6 and 8:8, it describes a mysterious action of God that surpasses human understanding (cf. Prov 21:30).
The reader of Ecclesiastes is again presented with a series of statements that are not confined to one meaning. Instead, they serve as suggestions, insights, prompts, and stimuli about an aspect of life, with the goal not to state a truth but to inspire reflection and action.
Youth and Old Age.
Finally, Qohelet discusses youth and old age with the characteristic tone of ancient teachers giving advice to a student. However, the expression “my son,” typical of these writings, is missing. The theme of youth (11:7-10) is presented positively, encouraging young people to enjoy themselves and be happy. In a way, it diverges from traditional wisdom, although it is not far from it in the way it describes enjoying life (cf. Sir 30:21-23). He describes old age (12:1-7) negatively, as the end of life and happiness. Various natural elements are used as metaphors to develop this theme—some might even see verses 3 onward as an allegory of the parts of the human body.
In 12:8, the teaching of the wise Qohelet concludes with the impact of the final instruction, which gives it the feel of a testament—a literary genre that was very popular between the 2nd century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D.—and thus a special significance. The book wraps up as it began, but it reflects on the journey taken: it has revealed human beings’ struggles and their greatness in the most important areas of their lives.
We must interpret the wise man’s final message just as we did at the beginning when we read the book: for Ecclesiastes, youth symbolizes life, while old age symbolizes death. Where should today’s believer assess things, people, and the different stages of life from?