10/6/22. Study 26. Ecclesiastes 11:1-4.

 Cast your bread upon the waters,
    for you will find it after many days.
² Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
    for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
³ If the clouds are full of rain,
    they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
    in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow,
    and he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecc 10:1-4)

Qoheleth continues with his reflection on how to live wisely.

1. What might it mean to "cast your bread upon the waters"? (v.1-2)

There are 3 possible interpretations of this difficult verse:

• It refers to giving to the poor, and that this whole section is on charity.
  
• It refers to maritime commerce, where long journeys and uncertainties were common
  
• It refers more generally to diversifying investments and efforts in life.
  

There is a perspecitve on risk-taking. We have to make efforts. Not all our efforts will be successful. Futhermore, the returns will take time ("many days")

We should be prepared to invest in things that take a long time to bear fruit.

 

2. What life lessons are to be gleaned from the observations of nature in v.3-4? What danger does Qoheleth warn us of?

 There is an A-B-B’-A’ structure in these verses: clouds - falling tree - wind - clouds, suggesting a link between these verses  

Rainclouds will result in rain. This is an inevitable consequence "life's like that". So certain situations will inevitably lead to certain consequences. We should be aware of situations where these will occur.  On the theme of charity, it is said that the generous heart willalways  show itself.

Trees fall unpredictably "south or north"  and we can't change their position once they fall. This has been taken to mean that we should do good wherever we find ourselves, or to give charity wherever the opportunity presents itself. In general, this can be taken to mean that unpredictable events occur, and that they result in unalterable consequences.

If you observe the weather for too long, then no efforts will be undertaken. Prolonged observation and waiting for the perfect moment to do something is pointless. There is a need for action.

Together, v.1-4 tell us that there is risk  in doing things, and a risk also in not doing them.

Qin shared about her recent Vietnam trip, and we celebrated Selwyn's birthday!