Lesson 370: Ecclesiastes 11:5
Ecclesiastes 11:5
The Blueprint — The Verse
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Ecclesiastes 11 encourages active life under uncertainty. In an age without meteorology or embryology as we know them, wind and womb illustrated mysteries beyond human control. The Teacher uses them to humble readers before God's unfathomable work as Maker of all.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
After urging generosity and diversified labor while young, the Teacher reminds readers that clouds and rain follow patterns humans cannot fully grasp. Likewise, the spirit in the womb and God's comprehensive work remain beyond understanding, calling for trust and obedience without total explanation.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Ecclesiastes 11:4
4Whoever watches the wind will not plant;whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Ecclesiastes 11:4) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Ecclesiastes 11:6
6Sow your seed in the morning,and at evening let your hands not be idle,for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that,or whether both will do equally well.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Ecclesiastes 11:6) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- What mysteries of God's work are you trying to control or explain?
- How does humility before the Maker affect daily decisions?
- Where should you act faithfully even when you cannot understand outcomes?