Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

[1] Cast  thy bread  upon  the waters:  for thou shalt find  it after many  days.  [2] Give  a portion  to seven,  and also to eight;  for thou knowest  not what evil  shall be upon the earth.  [3] If the clouds  be full  of rain,  they empty  themselves upon the earth:  and if the tree  fall  toward the south,  or toward the north,  in the place  where the tree  falleth,  there it shall be.  [4] He that observeth  the wind  shall not sow;  and he that regardeth  the clouds  shall not reap.  [5] As thou knowest  not what is the way  of the spirit,  nor how the bones  do grow in the womb  of her that is with child:  even so thou knowest  not the works  of God  who maketh  [6] In the morning  sow  thy seed,  and in the evening  withhold  not thine hand:  for thou knowest  not whether  shall prosper,  either this or that, or whether they both  shall be alike  good. 

What does Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"At last the Teacher is approaching the climax of his book. We cannot see God"s whole plan, and there is nothing in this world that we can build on so as to find satisfaction or the key to the meaning of things. Yet we are to fulfill God"s purpose by accepting our daily lot in life as from him and by thus pleasing him make each day a good day. But how can we please him when there is so much we cannot understand? The Teacher has already shown that certain things stand out as right or wrong, and a sensible conscience will see these as an indication of what God desires. This section gives further wise advice in the light of an uncertain future. We must use common sense in sensible planning and in eliminating as many of the uncertainties as we can." [1]
Ignorance of the future should lead to diligent work, not despair.