Ecc 3:7 | KingComments | STEP | In life there may be a situation where “a time to tear apart” has come ( ). God tore the kingdom from Saul. In the time of Solomon, He tore it in two parts. Both times this tearing of the kingdom is symbolically represented in the tearing of a cloak ( ; ). There will come a time when the breach in the kingdom in two and ten tribes will be sewn together again. That will happen when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. Then the two houses of Israel will be ‘sewn together’ again and will form a unity ( ). To tear apart, or divisions arise in families when family members accept the Lord Jesus, while other family members do not ( ). When the other family members also convert, there is unity again and breaches are sewn together. In the church, division sometimes must occur. This is the case when the truth of God’s Word is violated and one does not want to conform to the truth ( ). If there is humility and repentance, the breach can be sewn together again. We can also apply this to a local church. A time to tear apart has come when in the church, despite repeated insistence, there is no discipline over sin. However, if the wrong thing is acknowledged, it is time to close the breach again, i.e. to seek and experience mutual fellowship with one another again. It is dramatic if time is not recognized for both the one and the other. In “a time to be silent and a time to speak”, “silence” comes first ( ). “The prudent person keeps silent” in “an evil time” ( ). “A man of understanding keeps silent” ( ) and does not join mockers who ridicule God and His Word, for he bows to God’s Word. We must also remain silent when God speaks through judgment ( ). Ezekiel had to remain silent for a while to be a sign for the rebellious people of God ( ). Silence is the starting point. If we control our tongues now, we will not have to ‘eat’ our words later, i.e. face the consequences of our words. We must break the silence if God gives us an indication that we must speak. The time to be silent and the time to speak must be known and distinguished. The wise man knows when to be silent and when to speak. Speaking is about speaking the right word at the right time ( ; ). When asked, we will give an account for the hope that is in us ( ). Nor can we remain silent about our faith: “I have believed, therefore I have spoken” ( ).

‏ Ecclesiastes 3:7

To Tear Apart–to Sew Together; To Be Silent–to Speak

In life there may be a situation where “a time to tear apart” has come (Ecc 3:7a). God tore the kingdom from Saul. In the time of Solomon, He tore it in two parts. Both times this tearing of the kingdom is symbolically represented in the tearing of a cloak (1Sam 15:27-28; 1Kgs 11:11-12 ; 30-31). There will come a time when the breach in the kingdom in two and ten tribes will be sewn together again. That will happen when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. Then the two houses of Israel will be ‘sewn together’ again and will form a unity (Eze 37:22).

To tear apart, or divisions arise in families when family members accept the Lord Jesus, while other family members do not (Mt 10:34-35). When the other family members also convert, there is unity again and breaches are sewn together. In the church, division sometimes must occur. This is the case when the truth of God’s Word is violated and one does not want to conform to the truth (1Cor 11:19). If there is humility and repentance, the breach can be sewn together again.

We can also apply this to a local church. A time to tear apart has come when in the church, despite repeated insistence, there is no discipline over sin. However, if the wrong thing is acknowledged, it is time to close the breach again, i.e. to seek and experience mutual fellowship with one another again. It is dramatic if time is not recognized for both the one and the other.

In “a time to be silent and a time to speak”, “silence” comes first (Ecc 3:7b). “The prudent person keeps silent” in “an evil time” (Amos 5:13). “A man of understanding keeps silent” (Pro 11:12b) and does not join mockers who ridicule God and His Word, for he bows to God’s Word. We must also remain silent when God speaks through judgment (Lev 10:3). Ezekiel had to remain silent for a while to be a sign for the rebellious people of God (Eze 3:26 ; Eze 33:22). Silence is the starting point. If we control our tongues now, we will not have to ‘eat’ our words later, i.e. face the consequences of our words.

We must break the silence if God gives us an indication that we must speak. The time to be silent and the time to speak must be known and distinguished. The wise man knows when to be silent and when to speak. Speaking is about speaking the right word at the right time (Pro 25:11; Isa 50:4). When asked, we will give an account for the hope that is in us (1Pet 3:15). Nor can we remain silent about our faith: “I have believed, therefore I have spoken” (2Cor 4:13).