Ecclesiastes 9:12
For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.
For surely no man knows his time
The phrase "no man knows his time" underscores the unpredictability of life and death. The Hebrew word for "knows" is "yada," which implies an intimate understanding or awareness. This suggests that despite human wisdom or planning, the exact moment of one's death or significant life events remains beyond human comprehension. This echoes the broader biblical theme of human limitation and the sovereignty of God, reminding believers to live with humility and trust in God's timing.

Like fish caught in a cruel net
The imagery of "fish caught in a cruel net" evokes a sense of suddenness and helplessness. In ancient times, fishing was a common occupation, and nets were a primary tool. The Hebrew word for "cruel" is "ra," often translated as evil or distressing. This metaphor illustrates how life can abruptly change, capturing individuals in unforeseen circumstances. It serves as a cautionary reminder of life's fragility and the importance of being spiritually prepared.

or birds trapped in a snare
Similarly, "birds trapped in a snare" conveys the idea of unexpected entrapment. Snares were used by hunters to catch birds, symbolizing the unforeseen dangers that can ensnare people. The Hebrew term for "snare" is "pach," which can also mean a trap or a plot. This highlights the vulnerability of humans to the unpredictable challenges and trials of life, urging believers to seek refuge in God's wisdom and protection.

so the sons of men are ensnared in an evil time
The phrase "sons of men" refers to humanity at large, emphasizing the universal nature of this experience. The "evil time" denotes periods of adversity or calamity. The Hebrew word for "evil" is again "ra," indicating not just moral evil but also misfortune or disaster. This part of the verse serves as a sobering reminder that trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the human condition, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in faith.

that suddenly falls upon them
The word "suddenly" captures the abruptness and unexpected nature of life's challenges. The Hebrew root "pithom" conveys a sense of immediacy and surprise. This final phrase reinforces the theme of unpredictability, urging believers to live with a sense of urgency and readiness. It calls Christians to rely on God's providence and to cultivate a life of righteousness and preparedness for whatever may come.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the unpredictability of life and the certainty of death.

2. Fish and Birds
- Used metaphorically to illustrate the suddenness and inevitability of death or misfortune, much like how fish and birds are caught unexpectedly.

3. Evil Time
- Represents unforeseen calamities or difficult times that can suddenly impact a person's life.
Teaching Points
The Unpredictability of Life
Life is uncertain, and we must acknowledge that we do not control our time on earth. This awareness should lead us to live wisely and purposefully.

The Importance of Readiness
Since we do not know when our time will come, we should always be spiritually prepared. This involves living in a way that honors God and aligns with His will.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
While life is unpredictable, believers can find comfort in the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is in control even when life seems chaotic.

Value of Each Day
Recognizing the uncertainty of life should encourage us to value each day, making the most of our time by investing in relationships and serving others.

Eternal Perspective
This verse challenges us to focus on eternal matters rather than temporary concerns, reminding us that our ultimate hope and security are found in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of fish and birds in Ecclesiastes 9:12 help us understand the unpredictability of life?

2. In what ways can acknowledging the uncertainty of life influence our daily decisions and priorities?

3. How do the additional scriptures (James 4:14, Proverbs 27:1, Luke 12:20) reinforce the message of Ecclesiastes 9:12?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are spiritually prepared for the unexpected events in life?

5. How can trusting in God's sovereignty provide comfort and peace amidst life's uncertainties?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 4:14
- This verse echoes the theme of life's uncertainty, reminding believers that life is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Proverbs 27:1
- Advises against boasting about tomorrow, as no one knows what a day may bring, reinforcing the unpredictability of life.

Luke 12:20
- The parable of the rich fool, where God tells the man that his life will be demanded of him that very night, illustrating the suddenness of death.
Blessed IgnoranceHomilistEcclesiastes 9:12
Expectation of Long Life UnwiseN. Emmons, D. D.Ecclesiastes 9:12
Man Knoweth not His TimeB. Beddome, M. A.Ecclesiastes 9:12
Man's Ignorance of the Time of His DeathEcclesiastes 9:12
Snares in the Path of the YoungG. Fisk, LL. B.Ecclesiastes 9:12
The Uncertainty of Human LifeE. D. Griffin, D. D.Ecclesiastes 9:12
Prosperity - the Rule and the ExceptionW. Clarkson Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12
Time and ChanceJ. Willcock Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Birds, Caught, Cruel, Deceit, Doesn't, Ensnared, Evil, Fall, Falleth, Falls, Fish, Fishes, Hold, Hour, Knoweth, Moreover, Net, Snare, Snared, Sons, Suddenly, Trapped, Treacherous, Unexpectedly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ecclesiastes 9:12

     4642   fish
     4948   hour
     5295   destruction
     5342   hunting
     5425   net
     5589   trap
     5890   insecurity
     6182   ignorance, human situation
     9130   future, the

Library
The Lapse of Time.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."--Eccles. ix. 10. Solomon's advice that we should do whatever our hand findeth to do with our might, naturally directs our thoughts to that great work in which all others are included, which will outlive all other works, and for which alone we really are placed here below--the salvation of our souls. And the consideration of this great work,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

A Home Mission Sermon
"What a dear Saviour we have found," and heralding the coming of our Master. We are here as the salt to preserve a world, which else would become putrid and destroyed. We are here as the very pillars of this world's happiness: for when God shall take away his saints, the universal moral fabric "shall tumble to its fall; and great shall be the crash, when the righteous shall be removed, and the foundations shall be shaken. Taking it therefore as granted that the people of God are here to do something
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Three Youths Save Constantinople
Now there was found in that city a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no one remembered that same poor man. Eccl. ix. 15. After these events it really seems as if Gaïnas, to use a modern expression, had completely lost his head, or, to give the view of it taken by himself and his contemporaries, as if a demon had begun to trouble him; for his conduct became aimless and uncertain. Discontent, revenge, ambition, and evil counsels destroyed in him all capacity for wise
Frederic William Farrar—Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Moral Depravity.
In discussing the subject of human depravity, I shall,-- I. Define the term depravity. The word is derived from the Latin de and pravus. Pravus means "crooked." De is intensive. Depravatus literally and primarily means "very crooked," not in the sense of original or constitutional crookedness, but in the sense of having become crooked. The term does not imply original mal-conformation, but lapsed, fallen, departed from right or straight. It always implies deterioration, or fall from a former state
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Epistle cxxvii. From S. Columbanus to Pope Gregory .
From S. Columbanus to Pope Gregory [89] . To the holy lord, and father in Christ, the Roman [pope], most fair ornament of the Church, a certain most august flower, as it were, of the whole of withering Europe, distinguished speculator, as enjoying a divine contemplation of purity (?) [90] . I, Bargoma [91] , poor dove in Christ, send greeting. Grace to thee and peace from God the Father [and] our [Lord] Jesus Christ. I am pleased to think, O holy pope, that it will seem to thee nothing extravagant
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Relation v. Observations on Certain Points of Spirituality.
1. "What is it that distresses thee, little sinner? Am I not thy God? Dost thou not see how ill I am treated here? If thou lovest Me, why art thou not sorry for Me? Daughter, light is very different from darkness. I am faithful; no one will be lost without knowing it. He must be deceiving himself who relies on spiritual sweetnesses; the true safety lies in the witness of a good conscience. [1] But let no one think that of himself he can abide in the light, any more than he can hinder the natural
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse [1331] . Gregory to Venantius, &c. Many foolish men have supposed that, if I were advanced to the rank of the episcopate, I should decline to address thee, or to keep up communication with thee by letter. But this is not so; since I am compelled by the very necessity of my position not to hold my peace. For it is written, Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet (Isai. lviii. 1). And again it is written, I have given thee for a watchman
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
We read in the Mishnah (Kidd. iv. 14) as follows: "Rabbi Meir said: Let a man always teach his son a cleanly and a light trade; and let him pray to Him whose are wealth and riches; for there is no trade which has not both poverty and riches, and neither does poverty come from the trade nor yet riches, but everything according to one's deserving (merit). Rabbi Simeon, the son of Eleazer, said: Hast thou all thy life long seen a beast or a bird which has a trade? Still they are nourished, and that
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. II. The Christian's chief employment should be to seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. "Seek first," &c. Upon this he should first and chiefly spend his thoughts, and affections, and pains. We comprehend it in three things. First, He should seek to be clothed upon with Christ's righteousness, and this ought to take up all his spirit. This is the first care and the chief concern. Did not this righteousness weigh much
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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

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