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Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8 verses 6–8
Solomon had said (Ecc 8:5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe, 1. All the events concerning us, with the exact time of them, are determined and appointed in the counsel and foreknowledge of God, and all in wisdom: To every purpose there is a time prefixed, and it is the best time, for it is time and judgment, time appointed both in wisdom and righteousness; the appointment is not chargeable with folly or iniquity. 2. We are very much in the dark concerning future events and the time and season of them: Man knows not that which shall be himself; and who can tell him when or how it shall be? Ecc 8:7. It cannot either be foreseen by him or foretold him; the stars cannot foretel a man what shall be, nor any of the arts of divination. God has, in wisdom, concealed from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. 3. It is our great unhappiness and misery that, because we cannot foresee an evil, we know not how to avoid it, or guard against it, and, because we are not aware of the proper successful season of actions, therefore we lose our opportunities and miss our way: Because to every purpose there is but one way, one method, one proper opportunity, therefore the misery of man is great upon him; because it is so hard to hit that, and it is a thousand to one but he misses it. Most of the miseries men labour under would have been prevented if they could have been foreseen and the happy time discovered to avoid them. Men are miserable because they are not sufficiently sagacious and attentive. 4. Whatever other evils may be avoided, we are all under a fatal necessity of dying, Ecc 8:8. (1.) When the soul is required it must be resigned, and it is to no purpose to dispute it, either by arms or arguments, by ourselves, or by any friend: There is no man that has power over his own spirit, to retain it, when it is summoned to return to God who gave it. It cannot fly any where out of the jurisdiction of death, nor find any place where its writs do not run. It cannot abscond so as to escape death's eye, though it is hidden from the eyes of all living. A man has no power to adjourn the day of his death, nor can he by prayers or bribes obtain a reprieve; no bail will be taken, no essoine [excuse], protection, or imparlance [conference], allowed. We have not power over the spirit of a friend, to retain that; the prince, with all his authority, cannot prolong the life of the most valuable of his subjects, nor the physician with his medicines and methods, nor the soldier with his force, not the orator with his eloquence, nor the best saint with his intercessions. The stroke of death can by no means be put by when our days are determined and the hour appointed us has come. (2.) Death is an enemy that we must all enter the lists with, sooner or later: There is no discharge in that war, no dismission from it, either of the men of business or of the faint-hearted, as there was among the Jews, Deu 20:5, Deu 20:8. While we live we are struggling with death, and we shall never put off the harness till we put off the body, never obtain a discharge till death has obtained the mastery; the youngest is not released as a fresh-water soldier, nor the oldest as miles emeritus - a soldier whose merits have entitled him to a discharge. Death is a battle that must be fought, There is no sending to that war (so some read it), no substituting another to muster for us, no champion admitted to fight for us; we must ourselves engage, and are concerned to provide accordingly, as for a battle. (3.) Men's wickedness, by which they often evade or outface the justice of the prince, cannot secure them from the arrest of death, nor can the most obstinate sinner harden his heart against those terrors. Though he strengthen himself ever so much in his wickedness (Psa 52:7), death will be too strong for him. The most subtle wickedness cannot outwit death, nor the most impudent wickedness outbrave death. Nay, the wickedness which men give themselves to will be so far from delivering them from death that it will deliver them up to death.
"For
everything has its time and justice, for man's evil overwhelms him. Indeed he does not know what will happen, for
when it happens , who will tell him? "Many good and bad things can befall a man,
but even a righteous man is not able to know what will befall him, or know the
causes and reasons for each thing, (for no one can know what will happen), but
he does know that all things are done by God to the advantage of man, and
nothing is done without His will. For
this is a great sufferance for mankind, since as the poet says: "the mind
of man knows not his lot and coming fate" [Virg. Aen. 10, 501.]. If he hopes for one thing, then another
happens; he expects the enemy to come from one direction and is wounded by a
spear from the opposite direction. But
here Theodotion and the Septuagint have said, "since the knowledge of man
overwhelms him", the Hebrew has 'wickedness' not 'knowledge'. But because the Hebrew letters 'Resh' and
'Daleth' are similar without the serif, instead of "raath "they have read "daat, "that
is instead of 'wickedness', 'knowledge'.
This is easier to understand if you have knowledge of the language. Note too, that which is written at the end of
the verse: 'since he doesn't know what has been, and what will be after him,
who will tell him?' I have translated
word for word here from the Hebrew text, so that we can see that there is a
different meaning, since we are clearly not able to know those things which
have already passed away, or those that will be, as they have yet to be done.
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SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 8:7 serves as a profound declaration of humanity's inherent and inescapable limitation regarding knowledge of the future. Qoheleth, the Preacher, asserts that individuals are fundamentally ignorant of what events will transpire and, critically, the precise timing of their occurrence. This verse underscores human frailty and the unpredictable nature of existence, emphasizing that the unfolding and timing of future circumstances remain beyond human grasp and comprehension, thereby cultivating a necessary posture of humility in the face of the unknown.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 8:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question ("for who can tell him when it shall be?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but to make a forceful declaration. By posing a question with an obvious negative answer (no one can tell), Qoheleth powerfully asserts the universal human inability to know the future. This device engages the reader, prompting them to acknowledge this shared limitation and the futility of seeking such knowledge from human sources. Furthermore, there is an element of Understatement or Litotes in "he knoweth not," as it subtly implies not just a lack of casual information but a profound, inherent, and unalterable incapacity to grasp the future's unfolding. The verse also exhibits remarkable Conciseness, delivering a weighty theological truth in a remarkably brief and impactful manner, making its message memorable and stark. The overall tone contributes to the Didactic nature of the book, teaching a fundamental truth about human existence and divine sovereignty, guiding the reader towards a posture of humility and trust.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 8:7 stands as a profound theological statement on the limits of human knowledge and the expansive scope of divine sovereignty. It teaches that the future, in its specifics and timing, is a domain reserved for God alone, a mystery impenetrable to human intellect or foresight. This truth serves to foster genuine humility, reminding humanity of its finite nature and absolute dependence on a transcendent Creator. It directly challenges the human tendency to control, predict, or manipulate destiny, redirecting trust from self-reliance or human wisdom to divine providence. The verse implicitly asserts that while humans can plan and make choices, the ultimate execution, timing, and outcome of all events rest solely in the hands of a higher power, thereby shaping a theology of trust and reliance rather than anxious foresight or presumptuous certainty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 8:7 offers a profoundly liberating truth for contemporary life: our inherent inability to know the future should not be a source of anxiety or despair, but rather an invitation to trust and humility. In a world increasingly obsessed with forecasting, strategic planning, and the illusion of control, this verse calls us to release the heavy burden of needing to know what lies ahead. It encourages us to live faithfully and wisely in the present moment, making responsible choices and stewarding our resources, while simultaneously acknowledging that the ultimate outcomes and timings of all things are beyond our human control. This perspective fosters a deeper, more robust reliance on God's providence, allowing us to navigate life's inevitable uncertainties with greater peace and less apprehension. It reminds us that true security is not found in human foresight or meticulous planning, but in the steadfast character and unfailing wisdom of the One who holds all time in His hands. By embracing our limited knowledge, we are freed to focus on our duties and relationships today, trusting God with the unfolding of tomorrow.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Ecclesiastes 8:7 discourage planning for the future?
Answer: No, Ecclesiastes 8:7 does not discourage responsible planning for the future. Rather, it contextualizes human planning within the larger framework of divine sovereignty and human limitation. The verse highlights that while we can make plans and set goals, we cannot ultimately control or know the precise timing or outcome of future events. This understanding should lead to humility and a recognition that "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). It encourages diligent stewardship of the present and wise decision-making, but always with an open hand, acknowledging that the future belongs to God and His purposes.
If we cannot know the future, why bother seeking God's will or guidance?
Answer: Our inability to know the future precisely does not negate the importance of seeking God's will; in fact, it underscores it. Since we cannot discern what lies ahead, we are compelled to rely on the One who does. Seeking God's guidance through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, and wise counsel from godly mentors is not about gaining predictive knowledge or a detailed itinerary of our lives. Instead, it is about aligning our present actions, attitudes, and desires with His eternal purposes and perfect character. It's about trusting His wisdom to navigate the unknown, knowing that even when we "do not know what tomorrow will bring" (James 4:14), He does, and He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 8:7, with its stark declaration of human ignorance concerning the future, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While humanity "knoweth not that which shall be," Jesus, as the eternal Son of God, embodies perfect knowledge and ultimate control over all time and destiny. He is the "Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13), holding the very keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). Unlike humanity, Christ perfectly knew and perfectly fulfilled the prophecies concerning His first coming, from His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to His atoning death on the cross (Isaiah 53:5). Furthermore, He speaks with divine authority about future events, including His own glorious return, though He defers the exact timing of that "day and hour" to the Father alone (Matthew 24:36). Thus, the human limitation highlighted in Ecclesiastes points powerfully to the divine omniscience and omnipotence perfectly revealed in Christ, who is not only the one who knows "that which shall be" but is also the one who orchestrates and brings it to pass. In Him, the uncertainty of the future for humanity is met with the certainty of God's sovereign plan, offering a secure and living hope in an otherwise unknowable future. Our ultimate hope is not in predicting the future, but in the One who holds the future firmly in His hands.