Liturgy:
Votum
and Salutation
Singing:
Psalm 146: 1,3
The
Ten Words of God’s Covenant
Singing:
Hymn 7: 1,2,3
Prayer
Scripture
Reading: Ecclesiastes
9: 7-18
Singing:
Psalm145: 1,2,3
Text:
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
“Live
for Christ’s Coming”
Singing:
Hymn 35: 1,2,
Prayer
Offerings:
Needy & Ministry of the Gospel
Singing:
Hymn 35: 4,5
Benediction:
Beloved Congregation of
Our Lord Jesus Christ;
The person who says that
everything is meaningless or useless is immediately identified as a
pessimist. And pessimism, it is said, not only expects the worst but
also makes the worst of it when it happens!
Not a few thoughtless
commentators have applied this to Qoheleth, or the Preacher, the man
who wrote this Bible book. Not a few have seen him as a morbid
philosopher who has little or no expectation of the future.
Is that really so? It is
true the Preacher spent a lifetime looking around, and noting what
was happening in his days.
He tried every conceivable enterprise and form of
entertainment and time after time he drew the same conclusion, “
“Utterly meaningless. Everything is
meaningless.”
And humanly speaking we tend to agree. How much of man’s
striving ends up in helplessness and hopelessness. There is a circle
of life and that circle knows much sorrow, sweat and tears. Wars
seem to be endless; famines come and go only to come back again. How
much time is spent in hollow frivolity, also at this time of year.
There may be a Santa in every mall as well also on many a street
corner. All of them beckoning to shoppers to “shop till they drop”. And people do drop, if not
from physical exhaustion then from the weight of financial or
emotional burdens.
What about us? We too are
affected by a world that says, “Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow
you die? We too can submerge into negativism and pessimism, and
forget our Christian calling to “rejoice in the Lord always.”
The danger? You either adopt a dark and
pessimistic world-view or you throw caution to the winds and end up
living a very careless life.
The Preacher knew this.
His name testifies to it! He was teacher of wisdom in the service of
the Lord and his congregation. His book, written during a time of
much political upheaval and oppression was designed to open the eyes
of God’s people to this reality. God is still in control of the
heaven and earth and the history of all mankind.
This God opened the eyes
of the Preacher to the coming of God’s One and Only Son. In fact
this whole book may be considered a cry for his coming. Well then, also this advent
lets look forward not only to celebrating the birth of Christ but
also his second coming. Let us so listen as the Preacher calls God’s
people to
Realize Her (Your) Calling
With a View To Christ’s Coming
This realization involves living a venture of
faith
- Living a venture of
faith
“Cast your bread upon the
waters,” said the preacher, “ For after many days you will find it
again.”
These are well-known words
yet they raise questions don’t they? We know that the Preacher often
used symbolism in his instruction, but just what does this
mean? Is it a command
to take your lunch bucket to the skyway bridge and to empty your
sandwiches into Lake Ontario? Is it a command to throw away all
caution and to live a carefree or even, a care-less
life?
Nothing of the sort. The “bread” of our text
really means your life, or better your livelihood, your
goods, your business, so all your activities. That’s the way another wise
teacher used this word “bread” in Proverbs 31:14,when he said a wife
of noble character “Is
like the merchant ships, bringing her bread from afar.” Those merchant ships, even
then, brought all the world’s goods, the world’s bread, also to
Israel’s shore.
Now it is also the case
that not a few commentators have seen this command of the preacher
(and a command it is) as no more than an encouragement to
generosity. This casting of bread would then involve many an
act of charity to those who are in need with the promise that this
would certainly be rewarded. (“You will find it after many days.”)
There is no doubt we may indeed think of a command to
generous living and generous giving here. It would be a fitting,
Christian contrast to the foolish, selfishness of those portrayed at
the end of chapter 10. Those who revel only in their partying and
riotous living and who think that money is the answer to everything.
Yet we mustn’t limit the
Preacher’s teaching to a call for liberality and generosity. What we have here
is a command to venture forth and go to work with the God-given
means you have. And to do that in a joyful, trustful, liberal
way. To go about life’s adventure not with sallow faces expecting
the worst but to pull up- your sleeves and to seize the moment,
expecting God’s blessing on your labour, the work of your
hands.
It is not the first time the Lord had issued such a command
by way of the Preacher. I think of what we read in chapter
9.
Go eat your food with
gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is God who
favours what you do.
The Preacher had said that right in the midst of a life full
of evil, “madness” even God’s children were to anoint their heads
with oil, (a sign of
sure celebration) enjoy married life and to go about their work with
all their might.
In fact you read similar words throughout this book. “I know
that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good
while they live.” (Ch. 3:12) “That everyone may eat and drink and
find satisfaction in his toil…”)
Sure, such a venture of life involves risks. Just as there are risks for
those who invest their money in ships and send their goods over
turbulent oceans. For
them it looks as if they have to commit their livelihood to
unpredictable waves!
“Cast your bread upon the waters?” But what will become of
it?
Nevertheless the preacher
says, “Dare to do so!”
“Cast it” i.e., Send it out, go to work with it. Let
it loose. Don’t hold
back. Don’t be afraid
to do so! Realize your
calling. And you will be blessed. It will pay you dividends. You will find the fruit of
your venture back “after many
days.”
The Preacher said this to God’s congregation, young and
old. He said it to that
poor but wise youth of ch. 4 and to that wealthy and thankful man of
ch. 5. He proclaimed it to the wise and upright man of ch. 7, the
simple churchgoer who fears the Lord. O yes he also spoke it in the
hearing of the foolish, who were in danger of adopting the view of
the world. In the verses 2 and following of our text he said to one
and all, “ Go venture
forth!”
Not that this venture
didn’t call for careful planning, for wisdom, and for tactful
engineering. On the contrary. The Preacher said, “Give portions to
seven, yes to eight.” To do that you better have a plan ready. This command makes you think
of Luke 16 and Christ’s instruction in that parable of the shrewd
manager. Though the man was dishonest he was concerned for his
future and took steps to secure it. He didn’t just go about his
dealings with his eyes closed. Even the leaders of God’s people
could learn from such a man, taught the Lord. For those leaders
didn’t have any concern for their spiritual future as they rejected
the Christ who labored in the midst.
“Don’t be careless,” said
the preacher, Use your brains! The Lord has given you a mind to plan
and to devise strategy?
Sit down and figure this out. “Give a portion to seven or
even to eight.” It
is not so different from saying, “ First count the cost if you want
to build your tower. You can’t build a business on optimism alone.
Yet venture
forth. Not forgetting however that
the success, the blessing you desire on your ‘bread business’
your life’s venture, is in God’s hands. That is very clear from
what we have in verses 3-5. In v. 3 the Preacher
says in no uncertain words that you can’t stop adversity. “If clouds are full of water
they pour rain up-on the earth.” (Whether we like it or not. It is
not in our hands) When a tree comes down where it falls there it
will lie. It has come down, and you can’t do a thing about it, not
if you had all the money and savvy in the world. It’s a done deed!
Yet however threatening and unsure the future may be that
doesn’t mean that you should lie down on the job and quit and fail
to use your God-given means and talents. It doesn’t mean that you
should opt out of your life and your life’s calling! Not does it mean that you
should adopt a fatalistic attitude. “If it happens it happens.”
For whoever watches the wind will not plant and whoever looks
at the clouds will not reap. Base you life’s venture on the
weatherman’s predictions and you might as well quit for the weather
is simply too unpredictable.
Keep looking over your shoulder in timid hesitation,
wondering where the next economic upheaval will come form and you
just can’t live!
Yet consider verse five!
It contains the reason, the foundation, not for despair, or
inactivity, or for a hesitant, gloomy and grudging stab at your
work. But for “casting
your bread upon the waters.”
For a venture of faith and hope and the assurance of
blessing. For in
this verse we read of the work of God, “The Maker of all things”
says the Preacher.
Just as you can’t understand the path of the wind or how a
baby is formed in the womb of its mother you can’t understand the
work of God.
Yet you can confess His
name. The Preacher did so! You may
build your life’s venture on the fact that he is the Maker. What did
the Preacher say in ch. 3 when he gave that command to “eat and
drink and find satisfaction in one’s work?” For he said, “It
is the gift of God”. And again, “I know that everything God does
will endure forever. And once more in ch. 9. “ Eat your food, drink
your wine…. for it is now that God favours what you do!”
We’re reminded of what
Moses said in Deut 29. While the secret things belong to the Lord
our God, the things revealed belong to us and our children forever.”
(Deut. 29:29) Or to
think of a word of Isaiah the prophet – “As the heavens are higher
than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:9) Yet, in the same breath says
the prophet, " You (i.e., God’s people) will go out in joy and be
led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song
before you.”
Why? Because God is the God of
the covenant. He is the one who made His rich promises to Noah and
to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to their seed. Promises to uphold
the earth and its seasons that man could do his work. So that man
might live in the expectation of the Messiah, the Christ who was to
come. Because he is the
God who sits above the heavens and laughs at his enemies as well as
at those who think they have to figure Him out before they start
their daily enterprise.
Yes he is also the God who
says, “Trust in me, to carry out my plan. Do not only cast your
burdens on me but cast your bread upon the waters.” Go forth in faith, carefully
yes, modestly to be sure, with no wild and unattainable schemes, to
mislead you for certain. Yet venture forth in
faith!
Yes in faith! It is true, the Preacher did not deny it, there
are many things that are beyond our understanding. There are
numerous things that can be disappointing, depressing even. Many
setbacks in life, because of man’s sin and his weak human nature and
the fact that the earth is till groaning in decay as Paul says in
Rom. 8. We often lack insight and we don’t see the logic ands we
question the fairness of many situations.
It can even appear as if the godless get all the breaks. The
psalmist who wrote Ps. 73 thought so. He said the godless “have no
struggles and their bodies are always healthy and strong.” He said, “It looks as if the
wicked get all the breaks!”
So he thought.
Until he went into God’s house and saw not only that the
wicked's feet are placed in slippery places but that only the
God-fearing have hope. In the sanctuary of God he saw the altar of
sacrifice. We may say,
he saw Jesus Christ from afar. He saw that God who gave the
‘mother-promise’ in Gen 3. The God who works out his plan of
salvation for those who are his, while the wicked come to utter
ruin.
The Preacher saw Him too.
Through the shadows, years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet he
saw Him. Him who
carries out his plan for mankind on behalf of His church.
And so he encouraged the
church, for he was Qoheleth the instructor of the people, the
congregation, God’s qahal!
Encouraged them with the knowledge that God fulfills his
promises. The promise to Adam and eve and to promise of the coming
of Shiloh, the Redeemer to Judah. The promise to David concerning
the coming of God’s Son.
This God is not some unpredictable gloomy force before whom
we must cower and hide. O yes, sometimes it may appear that dark
forces are in control of the world, the nations the economy our
today and the future.
In the Preacher’s time it was a dark time for Israel. Persian
powers were in control. Rome was waiting to put Israel in
chains. It had
affected God’s people for worse. There were also many who
were not living in the expectation of Christ’s coming. There were
those who were going through the motions of faith. Just read the
words of Malachi the prophet (who may have lived during the same
period). Selfishness, materialism, had invaded the church. There were those who
appeared to have given up, not living with the oil of gladness on
their heads but with the gloom of passivity and even despair in the
hearts and mouths.
But the Preacher says. “It
is not some dark force who has the world in his hands. It is not the
king of Persia. Nor is it Darth Vader or some wicked witch!
It is God the Creator.
Christ the Redeemer. He is the Shepherd of His people. The “One
Shepherd” as He is called in the closing verses of this book.
He the Lord says,
“Sow your seed in the morning and at evening let not your
hands be idle.” Venture
forth in faith. Pack
your lunch, get out your shovel, boot up your computer plan that
wedding, teach those children and attend that meeting in the
realization that God reigns and he’s got the whole world in His
hands.
In the days of our text
that God was on the threshold of sending His Son into the
world. To redeem the
world of sin and envy and bitterness and a lackadaisical mindset
that looks only to the self but not to Him. To rescue God’s people from
the burden of sin and shame and to give them a new lease on life.
No. Not just a lease but a gift, even of life everlasting.
Therefore, Cast your bread
upon the waters, for after many days you will find it. God will
complete his purpose for you. He will establish the work of your
hands.
Then the closing words of our text are not a sigh, a silent
capitulation to some higher power beyond our control. Don’t read the
words that way! “For
you do not know what will succeed, whether this or that or whether
both will do equally well.”
No read this as a command a divine command to leave your
life, your livelihood, the economy of your lives in His hand.
And His hand is not heavy, nor are his burdens. His yoke is
easy and his burden is light. By faith you know that
it is a good life for he is a good God and His Son is a gracious
Saviour. Do you see
clouds and mists and are you afraid? Don’t go into hiding! Don’t
lose your zeal for serving the Lord with hands and hearts and pens
and wallets. In:
carpentry and in plumbing and baby feeding and dishwashing, in
getting a site-plan together for a church building and in preparing
for that next exam. The
Preacher says, "Don’t go into hiding in a cave. (Leave that for the
terrorists and others who are threatened with judgment!” For already you are hidden.
Your life is hidden in God.
And He does not only watch
over you. Nor does he sit idly waiting for things to happen. Nor are you only a pawn in
his hand. You have been given a mind and a will. Do you have a pair
of hands? Are you blessed to receive good health and a good
brain? Use it. “Cast
your bread upon the waters.”
Use it in His service and the service of your brothers and
sisters. Indeed, do good to all men!
So all is not meaningless!
If you look and listen and labour with faith-hands and faith eyes.
With God and with Christ you can go over a wall. In Him, in faith in
Him, you can look through the clouds. And what and whom do you
see? The writer of the
letter to the Hebrews
that although we do not yet see all tings subject to him, (
for the Ben Ladens are still out in force and Babylon must still be
brought down) yet we see Jesus, “who was made a little lower than
the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered
death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for
everyone.”
For everyone who believes, who in His electing love he calls
to Him. Congregation this God did send his Son. He did “melt the
clouds of sins and sadness and he drove the dark of doubt away. He
came as was promised. True he came unto his own, and his own
received Him not. As the Scriptures testify. Yet those who believed
were and are made into sons of God. Heirs of the kingdom.
And
they will see their bread “after many days. “ For the blessings of the
Lord make rich and he adds no sorrow to them.
“We have seen him,” says
John in one of his letters.
We have too! Every time the bread of His supper is
broken before our eyes and the wine is outpoured. And we will see
him again, “at the last trumpet. When those who lived and died in
Christ are clothed with immortality, receiving their reward for
their venture of faith.
Let us then go about our
task, our office and calling in the sure knowledge of His Lordship.
Offering ourselves to Him as priests unto God. Let us live and breathe and
plan and build, D.V. “in faith”. God will bless us, if we
submit to His direction and realize that with all we have we belong
to Him. Then we
too may take home with us God’s sure word spoken by Paul in 1
Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my
dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your
labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
So let he congregation
say, Amen, Amen, come Lord Jesus, Maranatha.
Amen!
Rev. Chris Bosch is the Pastor of Fellowship
Canadian Reformed Church in Burlington, ON
