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11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
11:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
11:3 If 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.
11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
11:5 As 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.
11:6 In 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.
11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 11:8 But 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.
11:9 Rejoice, 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.
11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.


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Everything King James Bible:Ecclesiastes
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Ecclesiastes
Book: Ecclesiastes
Chapter: 11

Overview:
Exhortation to liberality. (1-6) An admonition to prepare for
Death, and to young persons to be religious. (7-10)

1-6 Solomon presses the rich to do good to others. Give freely,
though it may seem thrown away and lost. Give to many. Excuse
not thyself with the good thou hast done, from the good thou
hast further to do. It is not lost, but Well laid out. We have
reason to expect evil, for we are born to trouble; it is Wisdom
to do good in the Day of prosperity. Riches cannot profit us, if
we do not benefit others. Every Man must labour to be a blessing
to that place where the Providence of God casts him. Wherever we
are, we may find good work to do, if we have but hearts to do
it. If we magnify every little difficulty, start objections, and
fancy hardships, we shall never go On, much less go through with
our work. Winds and clouds of Tribulation are, in God's hands,
designed to try us. God's work shall agree with his Word,
whether we see it or not. And we may Well trust God to provide
for us, without our anxious, disquieting cares. Be not weary in
Well-doing, for in due season, in God's time, you shall reap,

Ga 6:9.

7-10 Life is sweet to bad men, because they have their portion
in this Life; it is sweet to good men, because it is the time of
preparation for a better; it is sweet to all. Here is a caution
to think of Death, even when Life is most sweet. Solomon makes
an effecting address to young persons. They would desire
opportunity to pursue every pleasure. Then follow your desires,
but be assured that God will Call you into Judgment. How many
give loose to every appetite, and Rush into every vicious
pleasure! But God registers every one of their sinful thoughts
and desires, their idle words and wicked words. If they would
avoid remorse and terror, if they would have Hope and comfort On
a dying Bed, if they would escape misery here and hereafter, let
them remember the vanity of youthful pleasures. That Solomon
means to condemn the pleasures of Sin is evident. His object is
to draw the young to purer and more lasting joys. This is not
the language of one grudging youthful pleasures, because he can
No longer partake of them; but of one who has, By a Miracle of
Mercy, been brought back in safety. He would persuade the young
from trying a course whence So few return. If the young would
live a Life of true happiness, if they would secure happiness
hereafter, let them remember their Creator in the days of their
youth.

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