Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land. Divide your portionThe phrase "divide your portion" suggests a prudent approach to managing resources. In the Hebrew context, the word for "portion" (חֵלֶק, cheleq) implies an allotment or share, often used in the context of inheritance or distribution of goods. This reflects a principle of wise stewardship, encouraging believers to manage their resources with foresight and generosity. The act of dividing implies not hoarding but rather sharing and investing in various ventures, which aligns with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. among seven, or even eight
The numbers "seven" and "eight" are significant in Hebrew literature. Seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection, as seen throughout Scripture, such as in the creation week. The addition of "eight" suggests going beyond what is considered complete or sufficient. This phrase encourages believers to be even more generous and diversified in their giving and investments. It implies a call to go beyond the minimum, reflecting a heart of abundance and trust in God's provision. for you do not know
This phrase highlights the uncertainty of life and the future. The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע, yada) encompasses understanding, perception, and discernment. It serves as a reminder of human limitations in foreseeing future events. This acknowledgment of uncertainty is a call to faith, urging believers to trust in God's omniscience and sovereignty rather than relying solely on their understanding. what disaster may befall the land
The term "disaster" (רָעָה, ra'ah) can refer to evil, calamity, or adversity. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the land was central to life and sustenance, and any disaster could have devastating effects. This phrase serves as a warning of potential hardships and the importance of being prepared. It underscores the biblical theme of wisdom in preparation and the unpredictability of earthly life, encouraging believers to place their trust in God while taking practical steps to safeguard against unforeseen events. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. 2. Israel- The nation where Solomon reigned, often facing various challenges and uncertainties, which are reflected in the wisdom literature. 3. Disaster- Refers to unforeseen events or calamities that can impact one's life, emphasizing the need for preparedness and wisdom. Teaching Points Wisdom in DiversificationThe verse encourages spreading resources across multiple areas to mitigate risk. This principle can be applied to financial investments, time management, and talents. Preparedness for UncertaintyLife is unpredictable, and being prepared for unforeseen events is a biblical principle. This includes spiritual, financial, and emotional readiness. Generosity and StewardshipSharing resources with others is a form of stewardship. By giving to others, we not only help them but also create a network of support for ourselves. Trust in God's SovereigntyWhile we plan and prepare, we must ultimately trust in God's control over the future. Our efforts should be coupled with faith in His provision. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the principle of diversification in Ecclesiastes 11:2 apply to your current financial or personal life situation? 2. In what ways can you prepare for unforeseen events in your life, both practically and spiritually? 3. How does the concept of generosity in this verse relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced an unexpected challenge. How did your preparation (or lack thereof) impact the outcome? 5. How can you balance planning for the future with trusting in God's sovereignty, as suggested by Ecclesiastes 11:2 and related scriptures? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 6:6-8This passage encourages diligence and foresight, similar to the advice in Ecclesiastes 11:2 about preparing for the future. 1 Timothy 6:17-19Paul advises the wealthy to be generous and to store up treasures for the future, aligning with the principle of diversifying and sharing resources. James 4:13-15James speaks about the uncertainty of life and the importance of acknowledging God's will, which complements the theme of unpredictability in Ecclesiastes. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Disaster, Divide, Eight, Evil, Misfortune, Occur, Portion, Seven, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 11:2 1656 numbers, combinations
6182 ignorance, human situation Library A New Years Sermon to the Young
'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.... Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.'--ECCLES. xi. 9; xii. 1. This strange, and in some places perplexing Book of Ecclesiastes, is intended to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureSowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
"He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."--Ecclesiastes 11:4. SOW when the time comes, whatever wind blows. Reap when the times comes, whatever clouds are in the sky. There are, however, qualifying proverbs, which must influence our actions. We are not to discard prudence in the choice of the time for our work. "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." It is well to sow when the weather is propitious. It is wise …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 Of Confession and Self-Examination
Of Confession and Self-examination Self-examination should always precede Confession, and in the nature and manner of it should be conformable to the state of the soul: the business of those that are advanced to the degree of which we now treat, is to lay their whole souls open before God, who will not fail to enlighten them, and enable them to see the peculiar nature of their faults. This examination, however, should be peaceful and tranquil, and we should depend on God for the discovery and knowledge …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."--Proverbs iv. 14, 15. The chief cause of the wickedness which is every where seen in the world, and in which, alas! each of us has more or less his share, is our curiosity to have some fellowship with darkness, some experience of sin, to know what the pleasures of sin are like. I believe it is even thought unmanly by many persons (though they may not like to say …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII 1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 11:2 NIVEcclesiastes 11:2 NLTEcclesiastes 11:2 ESVEcclesiastes 11:2 NASBEcclesiastes 11:2 KJV
Ecclesiastes 11:2 Commentaries
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