Chapter 11

1 Directions for charity. 7 Death in life, 9 and the day of judgment in the days of youth, are to be thought on.

1. Cast. Heb. shalach, “to send forth.”

Thy bread. The traditional interpretation is of exercising charity or kindness toward others, for which a reward will someday be received. Another possible application would be to wise business ventures of various kinds.

Upon the waters. Literally, “upon the faces of the waters.”

Find it. Compare Luke 16:9. Whatever the figure of “bread” may refer to, the lesson is that of acting in a spirit of liberality and without expecting immediate returns.

2. Give a portion. Perhaps advice to diversify one’s business activities rather than confine them to one field, to invest capital in several business ventures. Ethically, it suggests benevolence toward as many as possible. The two numbers “seven” and “eight,” used together, suggest an indefinite number, with a tendency in the direction of more rather than less. For examples of such enumeration see Job 33:14; Ps. 62:11; Prov. 30:15, 18, 21; Isa. 17:6; Micah 5:5.

Evil. One cannot tell what calamity may occur, whether flood, earthquake, war, or business recession.

3. If the clouds. The statement may preferably read, “If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth.” Nature operates according to law. Similarly, there are laws in the moral sphere.

If the tree fall. A man cannot determine the direction in which a tree will fall during a violent windstorm. One must learn to prepare for the storm as best he can, and then bend with it rather than attempt to control it. Fanciful interpretations making this verse a comment on death and human destiny are without valid basis.

There it shall be. Whatever adversity may befall, one should not give up, but take things as they are and press courageously onward. Some events are beyond one’s power to influence. Life has many unforeseen events, but these are not to be made occasions despondency and loss of determination.

4. He that observeth. If a man becomes unduly careful of weather conditions, and requires precisely the right conditions ere he goes to work, his farming will suffer. One cannot always wait for a perfect day, or for perfect conditions, before making a venture. Some risks must be taken.

5. Spirit. Translated from the same word that is rendered “wind” in v. 4, but perhaps better understood as “spirit” here.

The bones. The growth and development of the bony structure of the fetus is a source of wonder (Job 10:8–11; Ps. 139:13–17).

Works of God. See on ch. 7:13.

6. In the morning. The Hebrews were an agricultural people, and illustrations from work on the farm are to be understood as representative of business generally.

Withhold not. Though we cannot know the future, this does not justify indolence. Results do not come by accident. Diligent, thorough preparation is necessary, early and late.

Prosper. From the same root word translated “right” in Esther 8:5.

Both. The uncertainty should be an incentive to added exertion, not to inactivity. Constant experimentation and effort are the prelude to success.

7. Light is sweet. Only in the light is it possible to appreciate the beauties of the natural world, to work effectively, or to travel safely. By following the advice given in v. 6 one may realize a fuller and more satisfying experience in life.

A pleasant thing. To live is good. To be able to cope with the duties of the day is pleasant to any normal person. The sun is used figuratively of God’s protecting care in Ps. 84:11 and Mal. 4:2.

8. And rejoice. Better, “let him rejoice.” The conjunction “and” is not in the Hebrew. Life is altogether too brief, and man’s allotted span of time must be used to advantage. If one is blessed with long life, the time should all be profitably and happily spent.

The days of darkness. The adverse experiences of life should be remembered for their disciplinary value. Deliverance from danger and loss should be duly appreciated. Some commentators apply the expression “darkness” to the grave, quoting Ps. 88:12; 143:3; cf. Job 10:21, 22.

9. Rejoice. A happy disposition and cheerful attitude toward life are commendable. There are joys that make life worth while. Solomon’s advice is not an invitation to excess, but to an appreciation of the blessings of life.

Youth. The first occurrence of this word in v. 9, Heb. yalduth, has reference to youthfulness; the second, Heb. bachur, to the prime of life. The first appears again in Ps. 110:3; the second in Eccl. 12:1.

Thine heart. All legitimate desires and needs are to be met, but debauchery and overindulgence are to be condemned and avoided.

Judgment. Sobering thought! One cannot avoid meeting his Judge. It will be of no avail to pretend there is no judgment to face, for God will not withhold His hand (see Mal. 3:5; cf. Rev. 20:11–15).

10. Sorrow. Rather, “provoking,” or “provocation” (see Deut. 32:19; 1 Kings 15:30; 21:22; Eze. 20:28), “wrath,” or “anger” (Deut. 32:27; Ps. 85:4; Prov. 12:16; Eccl. 7:9), or “spite” (Ps. 10:14). The verb form of the word is generally translated, “to provoke to anger.”

Evil. That which harms the body, a reference chiefly to moral excesses that result in physical degeneration (see 1 Cor. 6:18, 19; 2 Cor. 7:1).

Childhood. From the same Hebrew word translated as “youth” in the first clause of v. 9.

Youth. Heb. shacharuth, a word used in this form only here. It may be from a root meaning “blackness” (see Cant. 5:11). The meaning of shacharuth is uncertain, but the foregoing suggestion would make it refer to the prime of life, when a man has a head of black hair. Some think that shacharuth may be derived from shachan, “[the reddish light that precedes] dawn.” Accordingly, shacharuth would here mean the “dawn [of life].”

Vanity. Both youth and the prime of life quickly pass.

Ellen G. White comments

1    Ed 140

4     TM 183

6     CE 18; ChS 153; COL 65; Ed 105, 267; Ev 62; GW 187; LS 184, 207; 2T 11; 3T 209, 248, 420; 5T 381, 658; 6T 333; 9T 35; WM 266

7     ML 138

7–10PK 80

9     2T 626; 4T 339