1. @Ec 11:2 shows that charity is here inculcated.
bread--bread corn. As in the Lord's prayer,
all things needful for the body and soul. Solomon reverts to the
sentiment (@Ec 9:10).
waters--image from the custom of sowing seed by casting it from boats
into the overflowing waters of the Nile, or in any marshy ground. When
the waters receded, the grain in the alluvial soil sprang up
(@Isa 32:20). "Waters" express multitudes, so
@Ec 11:2 Re 17:15; also the seemingly hopeless character of the
recipients of the charity; but it shall prove at last to have been not
thrown away (@Isa 49:4).
2. portion--of thy bread.
seven--the perfect number.
eight--even to more than seven; that is, "to many" (so "waters,"
@Ec 11:1), nay, even to very many in need
(@Job 5:19 Mic 5:5).
evil--The day may be near, when you will need the help of those whom
you have bound to you by kindnesses (@Lu 16:9). The very argument which
covetous men use against liberality (namely, that bad times may come),
the wise man uses for it.
3. clouds--answering to "evil" (@Ec 11:2), meaning, When the
times of evil are fully ripe, evil must come; and speculations about
it beforehand, so as to prevent one sowing seed of liberality, are vain
(@Ec 11:4).
tree--Once the storm uproots it, it lies either northward or southward,
according as it fell. So man's character is unchangeable, whether for
hell or heaven, once that death overtakes him (@Re 22:11,14,15).
Now is his time for liberality, before the evil days come
(@Ec 12:1).
4. Therefore sow thy charity in faith, without hesitancy or speculation as to results, because they may not seem promising (@Ec 9:10). So in @Ec 11:1, man is told to "cast his bread corn" on the seemingly unpromising "waters" (@Ps 126:5,6). The farmer would get on badly, who, instead of sowing and reaping, spent his time in watching the wind and clouds.
5. spirit--How the soul animates the body! Thus the transition to
the formation of the body "in the womb" is more natural, than if with
MAURER we translate it "wind"
(@Ec 1:6 Joh 3:8).
bones . . . grow--(@Job 10:8,9 Ps 139:15,16).
knowest not the works of God--(@Ec 3:11 8:17 9:12).
6. morning . . . evening--early and late; when young and when old; in
sunshine and under clouds.
seed--of godly works (@Ho 10:12 2Co 9:10 Ga 6:7).
prosper--(@Isa 55:10,11).
both . . . alike--Both the unpromising and the promising sowing may
bear good fruit in others; certainly they shall to the faithful
sower.
7. light--of life (@Ec 7:11 Ps 49:19). Life is enjoyable, especially to the godly.
8. But while man thankfully enjoys life, "let him remember" it will
not last for ever. The "many days of darkness," that is, the unseen
world (@Job 10:21,22 Ps 88:12), also days of "evil" in this world
(@Ec 11:2), are coming; therefore sow the good seed while life and
good days last, which are not too long for accomplishing life's duties.
All that cometh--that is, All that followeth in the evil and
dark days is vain, as far as work for God is concerned
(@Ec 9:10).
9. Rejoice--not advice, but warning. So @1Ki 22:15, is
irony; if thou dost rejoice (carnally, @Ec 2:2 7:2, not
moderately, as in @Ec 5:18), &c., then "know that . . . God will
bring thee into judgment" (@Ec 3:17 12:14).
youth . . . youth--distinct Hebrew words, adolescence or
boyhood (before @Ec 12:13), and full-grown youth. It marks the
gradual progress in self-indulgence, to which the young especially are
prone; they see the roses, but do not discover the thorns, until pierced
by them. Religion will cost self-denial, but the want of it infinitely
more (@Lu 14:28).
10. sorrow--that is, the lusts that end in "sorrow," opposed to
"rejoice," and "heart cheer thee" (@Ec 11:9), Margin, "anger,"
that is, all "ways of thine heart"; "remove," &c., is thus opposed to
"walk in," &c. (@Ec 11:9).
flesh--the bodily organ by which the sensual thoughts of the
"heart" are embodied in acts.
childhood--rather, "boyhood"; the same Hebrew word as the first,
"youth" in @Ec 11:9. A motive for self-restraint; the time is coming
when the vigor of youth on which thou reliest, will seem vain, except in
so far as it has been given to God (@Ec 12:1).
youth--literally, the dawn of thy days.