Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper. Sow your seed in the morningThe phrase "Sow your seed in the morning" encourages diligence and initiative. In the Hebrew context, "sow" (זָרַע, zara) implies an act of faith and expectation. The morning symbolizes the beginning of opportunities, a time to start endeavors with vigor and hope. Historically, sowing was a critical agricultural activity, essential for survival and prosperity. Spiritually, this can be seen as an exhortation to invest in good works and spiritual growth early in life or at the start of any new venture. and do not rest your hands in the evening
"Do not rest your hands in the evening" suggests perseverance and continued effort. The Hebrew word for "rest" (נָחָה, nachah) implies ceasing from labor. The evening represents the latter part of the day or life, a time when one might be tempted to relax or give up. This phrase encourages believers to maintain their efforts and not become complacent, trusting that God honors persistent labor. for you do not know which will succeed
"For you do not know which will succeed" speaks to the uncertainty of outcomes. The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע, yada) indicates a deep, intimate understanding, which humans lack regarding the future. This uncertainty calls for trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, acknowledging that while we are responsible for our efforts, the results are ultimately in His hands. whether this or that
"Whether this or that" highlights the unpredictability of success. The phrase suggests that different efforts may yield different results, and it is not always clear which will prosper. This reflects the biblical principle that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), reminding believers to be faithful in their endeavors without being overly concerned about which will bear fruit. or if both will equally prosper
"Or if both will equally prosper" offers a hopeful possibility that multiple efforts may succeed. The Hebrew word for "prosper" (כָּשַׁר, kashar) conveys the idea of being right or successful. This phrase encourages believers to be open to God's abundant blessings, recognizing that He can cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). It inspires a sense of optimism and trust in God's provision and timing. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. 2. Israel- The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel was a nation that experienced prosperity and challenges during his time. 3. Agricultural Imagery- The verse uses agricultural metaphors, common in the ancient Near East, to convey spiritual truths about diligence and trust in God's providence. Teaching Points Diligence in WorkThe verse encourages consistent effort in our endeavors, both in the morning and evening. This reflects a biblical principle of hard work and perseverance. Trust in God's SovereigntyWe are reminded that the outcome of our efforts is ultimately in God's hands. Our responsibility is to sow and work; God determines the success. Embrace Uncertainty with FaithLife is unpredictable, and we cannot foresee which efforts will prosper. This calls for faith and trust in God's plan, even when outcomes are uncertain. Balanced Life ApproachThe verse suggests a balanced approach to life, where we are neither idle nor overly anxious about results. We are to be active and trustful. Spiritual SowingBeyond physical labor, this principle applies to spiritual disciplines. We are to sow seeds of faith, kindness, and love, trusting God for spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the agricultural imagery in Ecclesiastes 11:6 help us understand the importance of diligence in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of sowing in the morning and evening to our spiritual lives and relationships? 3. How does trusting in God's sovereignty help us deal with the uncertainty of outcomes in our work and personal endeavors? 4. What are some practical ways we can balance diligence and rest in our lives, according to biblical principles? 5. How do the teachings in Ecclesiastes 11:6 connect with the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, and what lessons can we draw from both passages about using our resources wisely? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 6:6-8- This passage encourages diligence by observing the ant, which works hard to prepare for the future. It connects to the theme of industriousness in Ecclesiastes 11:6. Galatians 6:9- Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, for in due time they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. This complements the message of perseverance in Ecclesiastes 11:6. Matthew 25:14-30- The Parable of the Talents emphasizes the importance of using one's resources and opportunities wisely, similar to the exhortation to sow and work diligently in Ecclesiastes 11:6. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Alike, Either, Equally, Evening, Hands, Idle, Morning, Prosper, Rest, Seed, Sow, Sowing, Succeed, Till, Whether, Withdraw, WithholdDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 11:6 4506 seed
4954 morning
5156 hand
5343 idleness Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 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 11:6 NIVEcclesiastes 11:6 NLTEcclesiastes 11:6 ESVEcclesiastes 11:6 NASBEcclesiastes 11:6 KJV
Ecclesiastes 11:6 Commentaries
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