Ecclesiastes chapter 11

vs 1

The TNIV takes a huge leap out from the other translations and gives quite a strong interpretation of the verse. And you know what? That might not be what you think a translator should do, but it makes a whole lot more sense than anything before it. I mean, look at the verse in the NIV, let alone the KJV. What's it on about? Who knows! I always thought it was about feeding ducks at a duckpond or something. But in the context of verse 2, the TNIV really makes so much sense.

So now, when I read this, I see it as prudent investment wisdom. Most of all, this section seems to be about actually getting out there and doing it. If you've got the extra grain, don't sit on it, send it out overseas and see a return on it, even if it is a long time in coming. So much simpler than the weird interpretations I've heard. It's funny how such a difficult verse got so widely used. Almost like some people want to give difficult verses certain meanings...

vs 2

Prudent investment is spread across many ventures. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, basically.

vs 3

Stuff happens when it happens, and when it's happened, then it's happened. Things that are are. As it were. A simple but wise lesson, I suppose. Some of us are more prone to wishing the world was another way.

vs 4

Since things that happen happen, you can't wait for perfect conditions. Sometimes you just have to get out and do what needs doing, in the rain.

vs 5

No doubt modern people are clambouring over themselves to say, "Ha, look how smart we are! We know which way the wind is going to blow, and we know how kids are made. Stupid ancient people. We don't need God to fill in such gaps." But the point of the verse is actually, "There are things you don't know, and there will always be things you don't know, so how can you expect to fully understand God if you can't fully understand something simple like the universe.

Oh, and you don't know where the wind will blow. You guess. Ancient people could also guess. And they knew how babies were made about as much as we do. How do 2 cells become millions of differenciated cells? So there. Take that, science!

vs 6

So work hard all the time, because something might suddenly pay off. Don't work stupidly, obviously, but don't not work just because you can't be assured of as big a success as you might hope, or because you think you've done enough work if everything goes to plan.

vs 7

I suppose so. Possibly this verse is necessary for nerds.

vs 8

What an awful statement, but true. People should enjoy their lives, but be aware that such enjoyment is ultimately hollow. They should also be aware that life does suck. It's never all flowers and sunshine for anyone. Everyone has dark days. But hey, those too are ultimately meaningless and hollow. So don't sweat it.

vs 9

So enjoy your youth, but don't do anything too stupid, because God doesn't lower the standards just because you're young. I don't think it's a threat, although it's easy to read it that way. More just saying that in joy don't disband wisdom, even in youth.

vs 10

Both in the having and then in the losing, it's just not worth worrying about. Qoheleth says, smartly, to enjoy youth while you have it, because you won't have it when you're older. But don't worry about it when you lose it, because it's meaningless anyway.