Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 – Living with divine providence

While we may not know everything about tomorrow, we must certainly not allow it to lure us into idleness and do nothing. Instead, we should obey the command of Ecclesiastes 11:1-2. We must dig in our heels and do our work even though the result may not be immediately apparent. For if we imagine the difficulties, we will remain idle and explain every opportunity away. We will end up doing nothing of value. Verses 3-4 show us a person who focuses on the circle of concern instead of the circle of influence. Such a person will find the excuse why he should not work. The call here is for us not to concentrate on what we cannot control but rather on what he can.         

Verse 5 reminds us of one unchangeable truth i.e. The sovereignty of God. We must not forget that God is in control. “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.” Human knowledge is limited but God has everything in His hand. Using the analogy of the growth of a fetus in a mother’s womb, Solomon shows us how limited we know about the mysteries of life.  Ever thought of how conception takes place? How from that simple conception of a man’s sperm and a woman’s ovum, a human being could be formed? Ever thought of how the spirit of life comes into a fetus and bring about a new life? In much the same way we cannot humanly explain conception, we also cannot explain the mysterious spiritual intricacies of life. This fact that we cannot fully comprehend everything there is to life, should explain why we must trust God who knows everything. There are mysteries about divine providence that we can never fully comprehend, but we can only thank God for His inexplicable wisdom.

As we reflect on the ways God had worked in our life, we cannot but be left with wonders. Instead of being baffled and refuse to do anything, we should live for Him. In the song “Who am I?” the singer asks a probing question. Who am I that the King should live and die for? Yes, indeed who are we that Jesus should say, ‘not my will but thine Lord’?  That what the Psalmist wondered when he penned Psalm 8:3-5 saying “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” We may not know everything about the work of God but we can collaborate with Him, and actively participate in works that will advance His Kingdom and glory.

So clearly, we can hear the call of verse 6 to act in faith and obedience. It says, “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” There are those who use the sovereignty of God to make excuses not to work. Admittedly, we do not know how things will turn out, but we have a God who does. And according to Romans 8:28, He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called for His purpose. It is true that we will never know everything, but it’s equally true that if we don’t sow, we will never know either. We must begin to live for Him. Have a vision larger than life. Participate in the Kingdom’s business. Little by little let us sow. We cannot imagine what a huge tree our little mustard seed faith will grow into. And even though we may not know the result, let’s hear the call of Ecclesiastes 11:1, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”