Ecc 3:1, 8:6 | JFB | STEP | 1. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water ( ). purpose —as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example, He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," ), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings ( ); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end ( ). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

1. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water (Ec 1:5-7).

purpose—as there is a fixed "season" in God's "purposes" (for example, He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," Ec 3:2), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his "purposes" and inclinations. God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings (Ec 3:12); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end (1Co 7:31). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them.

Ecclesiastes 8:6

6. therefore the misery, &c.—because the foolish sinner does not think of the right "times" and the "judgment."