He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap. He who watches the windThe phrase "watches the wind" suggests a person who is overly cautious or hesitant, waiting for perfect conditions before taking action. In the Hebrew context, the word for "watches" (שׁוֹמֵר, shomer) implies a careful, almost anxious observation. The "wind" (רוּחַ, ruach) in biblical literature often symbolizes uncertainty or the unseen. This phrase warns against the paralysis that can come from overanalyzing circumstances. In a spiritual sense, it encourages believers to trust in God's timing and provision rather than relying solely on human understanding or perfect conditions. will fail to sow
The act of sowing is a metaphor for taking initiative or making an investment in faith. The Hebrew root for "sow" (זָרַע, zara) is associated with planting seeds, which requires faith in the unseen future harvest. The phrase "will fail to sow" highlights the missed opportunities that result from excessive caution. In a broader biblical context, sowing is often linked to spiritual growth and the spreading of God's Word (Matthew 13:3-9). This part of the verse serves as a reminder that waiting for perfect conditions can lead to inaction and missed opportunities to fulfill God's purposes. and he who observes the clouds
"Observes the clouds" conveys a similar idea of waiting for ideal circumstances. The Hebrew word for "observes" (רֹאֶה, ro'eh) means to see or perceive, suggesting a focus on external conditions. "Clouds" (עָנָן, anan) can symbolize uncertainty or potential obstacles. In ancient agricultural societies, clouds were both a sign of impending rain and potential storms, representing both hope and fear. This phrase encourages believers to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's sovereignty, rather than being swayed by external appearances. will fail to reap
Reaping is the culmination of the sowing process, representing the rewards of faith and labor. The Hebrew root for "reap" (קָצַר, qatsar) involves gathering the harvest. "Will fail to reap" warns of the consequences of inaction—missing out on the blessings and fruits of one's labor. In a spiritual context, reaping is often associated with the rewards of righteous living and the fulfillment of God's promises (Galatians 6:9). This part of the verse serves as a call to action, urging believers to step out in faith and trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. 2. Israel- The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel is the nation where these teachings were originally shared and applied. 3. Agricultural Imagery- The verse uses agricultural terms like "sow" and "reap," which were common in the agrarian society of ancient Israel and serve as metaphors for action and inaction. Teaching Points Avoiding Paralysis by AnalysisThe verse warns against overanalyzing circumstances to the point of inaction. In life, waiting for perfect conditions can lead to missed opportunities. Faith in ActionTrusting God involves taking steps of faith even when conditions are uncertain. This reflects a reliance on God's sovereignty rather than our own understanding. Diligence and ResponsibilityWe are called to be diligent in our responsibilities, whether in work, ministry, or personal growth. Avoiding action due to fear or uncertainty is contrary to biblical teaching. Trusting God's ProvisionJust as a farmer trusts that the seeds will grow, we must trust that God will provide and bless our efforts when we step out in faith. Overcoming Fear of FailureFear of failure can prevent us from taking necessary actions. Ecclesiastes 11:4 encourages us to overcome this fear by focusing on our responsibilities rather than potential obstacles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ecclesiastes 11:4 challenge you to take action in areas where you may be hesitating? 2. In what ways can you relate the agricultural imagery in this verse to your personal or professional life? 3. How do the teachings in Proverbs 20:4 and Ecclesiastes 11:4 complement each other in terms of diligence and action? 4. Reflect on a time when you waited for "perfect conditions" before acting. What was the outcome, and how might this verse have changed your approach? 5. How can you apply the principle of "faith in action" from Ecclesiastes 11:4 to a current situation in your life, and what steps will you take to move forward? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 20:4- This verse also uses agricultural imagery to discuss the consequences of laziness and inaction, emphasizing the importance of diligence. Matthew 25:14-30- The Parable of the Talents highlights the importance of taking action and using what God has given us, rather than being paralyzed by fear or indecision. James 1:22-25- Encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the call to action in Ecclesiastes 11:4. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Clouds, Grain, Looks, Observes, Observeth, Observing, Plant, Planted, Reap, Reapeth, Regardeth, Regards, Seed, Sow, Soweth, Thick, Watches, Watching, Wind, Won'tDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 4805 clouds Ecclesiastes 11:3-5 4854 weather, God's sovereignty Library A New Years Sermon to the Young
'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.... Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.'--ECCLES. xi. 9; xii. 1. This strange, and in some places perplexing Book of Ecclesiastes, is intended to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureSowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
"He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."--Ecclesiastes 11:4. SOW when the time comes, whatever wind blows. Reap when the times comes, whatever clouds are in the sky. There are, however, qualifying proverbs, which must influence our actions. We are not to discard prudence in the choice of the time for our work. "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." It is well to sow when the weather is propitious. It is wise …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 Of Confession and Self-Examination
Of Confession and Self-examination Self-examination should always precede Confession, and in the nature and manner of it should be conformable to the state of the soul: the business of those that are advanced to the degree of which we now treat, is to lay their whole souls open before God, who will not fail to enlighten them, and enable them to see the peculiar nature of their faults. This examination, however, should be peaceful and tranquil, and we should depend on God for the discovery and knowledge …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."--Proverbs iv. 14, 15. The chief cause of the wickedness which is every where seen in the world, and in which, alas! each of us has more or less his share, is our curiosity to have some fellowship with darkness, some experience of sin, to know what the pleasures of sin are like. I believe it is even thought unmanly by many persons (though they may not like to say …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII 1872-1874. Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher --Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool --Letter to Mrs. Merry --Letter from Canada --Miss
Letter from Rev. A. M. W. Christopher--Letter from Gulf of St. Lawrence-Mrs. Birt's Sheltering Home, Liverpool--Letter to Mrs. Merry--Letter from Canada--Miss Macpherson's return to England-- Letter of cheer for Dr. Barnardo--Removal to Hackney Home. Though human praise is not sought, we cannot but feel peculiar pleasure in giving the following testimony from a servant of the Lord so much revered as the Rev, A. M. W. Christopher of Oxford:-- "Of all the works of Christian benevolence which the great …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 11:4 NIVEcclesiastes 11:4 NLTEcclesiastes 11:4 ESVEcclesiastes 11:4 NASBEcclesiastes 11:4 KJV
Ecclesiastes 11:4 Commentaries
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