Ecclesiastes 1:4-10 One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth stays for ever.… We may look at the durability of the earth — I. AS A CONTRAST. It abides in contrast with very much whose only constancy is the constancy of change. 1. The earth abideth in contrast with its own ever-varying appearances. Every year tells of the change of the seasons in which earth changes her raiment, and what does not geology tell of cycles in which the earth has changed her countenance and form beyond all that we can describe. 2. The earth abideth in contrast with human structures. Houses, villages, cities, citadels, where are they? Some utterly swept away: some in ruins: all destined to decay. 3. The earth abideth in contrast with the lives of individual men. 4. The earth abideth in contrast with the existence of nations. II. AS A TYPE. It is a type of much that will outlast itself. 1. Of man. His animal nature may pass; his mental and spiritual being shall continue. 2. Of truth. Here, again, like man's body, like the moods of the seasons, the forms of truth may change. But truth is eternal. 3. Of God. "They shall perish, but Thou remainest." (U. R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.WEB: One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. |
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