Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 - Not In Our Hands

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
¹¹ I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. ¹² Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.

Message: Not In Our Hands

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: This is a tough set of verses for our generation. Any verse that puts forth the idea that we do not control our destiny, that there is a force or agent that defines our lives is assaulting to our current makeup as humans. Karma and the notion of cause and effect are pervasive in life; the idea that our current actions impact our future condition are more of the norm. Scripture does agree that their are consequences for sin and their are blessings for displaying favor with God. And yet there are circumstances that appear out of nowhere that are not necessarily couched in this scriptural formula (formula is a tough word because it puts forth the notion that their is a certain plan for those events, but sometimes it is not so or the timing of the effect is so far removed from the cause that we struggle identifying those events as results).

As I turn to this scripture and study it, the author Solomon is reminded of a repeat occurrence in life. It's interesting at first to look at the 2 previous verses -  Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Enjoy life. Work hard. Those are the key ideas I see from those verses. 

And in verse 11 and 12, what I see is Solomon is saying, "but remember, you are not in control, so trust God." 

In verse 11 he describes formula's that we are accustomed to seeing:

• The swift win races
• Battles are won by warriors
• The wise get bread (what they need)
• Those that discern well are the wealthy
• Men of ability find favor

For he then states, time and chance overtake them all. Time and chance are human eye perspectives, which Solomon often mentions. Yet, in this same book seems to be the notion of divine providence. Thus despite careful planning and hard work:

• The swift might lose the race
• The stronger army can be defeated
• The smartest person does not always earn the most money
• The most learned may not receive favor
• The wisest can go hungry

Ultimately God's sovereignty, what he has ordained, prevails: man does not know his time. We can't see the entire picture. Yes, I must continue to do my best, read, pray, study, but through it all -- I trust. What sets apart the believer in Christ is just that, to believe in Christ -- to accept that God is in control. To honor him and thank him for the events and circumstances of life.

Promise: I must remain humble, knowing my proper place in creation. I am His vessel; he is the potter; I am the clay. Trust and obey, there is no other way.

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word. Thank you for being in control and setting up this universe according to the way You desire with out best in mind. Help me to not be trained by the message of this world, but to remain trained always for Godliness. Help me to work hard and do my best, to recognize that sin has consequences and following you has blessings, yet not all outcomes are consequences and blessings. Deepen me with you. Thank you for Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for my sin. I surrender all.