NOTES for Ecc 3:1-22

From the listing of many occupations, each of which requires its own time, the impression should once again arise of the meaninglessness and vanity of any occupations that constantly repeat and lead no one knows where. Unexpectedly, Ecclesiastes mentions that care has been given to people for exercise, and here we see an attempt to draw the reasoning out from under the power of the feeling of meaninglessness. And if man is unable to comprehend everything created by God, this speaks not of the absurdity of creation, but of the greatness and incomprehensibility of the Creator. Everything passes and is forgotten, and this would seem to show clearly the hopelessness of any attempt to create anything lasting, but God will call the past, and this means that deeds that have gone into the past were not in vain; they have not melted away without trace, senselessly and irrevocably. Therefore constant changes are not a set of vain mechanical movements, but life given by the Lord for our good. Participation in life is not meaningless in itself, though we do not always remember this.

But this passage too ends sadly...