The Haunting, Uncontrollable Nature of Time

Key Points

• Familiarity of Ecclesiastes 3: The passage, especially “a time for every activity under heaven,” is among the most quoted biblical verses, often heard even outside church contexts, notably at funerals.
• Life’s Search for Meaning: Ecclesiastes is described as a book chronicling humanity’s pursuit of happiness and meaning apart from God, echoing C.S. Lewis’s sentiment that human history is the story of seeking fulfillment in everything but God.
• Nature of the Writer: The author of Ecclesiastes actively experienced and tested life’s various avenues – pleasure, wisdom, accomplishments – only to find them ultimately unsatisfying.
• Time as Uncontrollable: The main theme highlighted is the unstoppable, uncontrollable nature of time. Life is comprised of cyclical seasons—birth and death, joy and sorrow, creation and destruction—over which humans have no lasting control.
• Transience and Unpredictability: Life is a mix of highs and lows, and time marches forward regardless of human effort or desire. The passage teaches that everyone will experience both good and bad days, emphasizing the fleeting and unpredictable passage of time.
• Perspective “Under the Sun”: Philosophically, as quoted from Peter Kreeft, time is seen as a river: it takes away everything it gives. Observation “under the sun” shows only cycles, not progress. From this perspective, progress is considered a myth—life and time simply repeat.
• Divine Purpose and Eternity: God is presented as sovereign over time, making everything beautiful in its season and “planting eternity in the human heart.” Yet, human beings cannot grasp the scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
• Proper Response: Since life and time cannot be controlled, the best course is to enjoy the present blessings—eat, drink, and find joy in work—recognizing these as gifts from God. Ultimately, God’s actions are final and unchangeable, and His purpose is that people should fear (reverence) Him.
• Repetition in History: What happens now has happened before; history and the cycles of time repeat, determined by God.

Main Takeaway

This teaching emphasizes the futility of seeking ultimate control or meaning in earthly pursuits and the relentless nature of time. Instead, it points readers to find contentment in God’s gifts and purposes, acknowledging both the limits of human understanding and the cycles inherent in creation.