Expect the Unexpected

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reveals a beautiful form of artistry. If you study the chart below you will see symmetrical patterns that reveal not just what the Bible means but HOW it means. I realize this might be an unusual concept to grasp at first, but you will begin to understand the creative beauty with which God crafted His Word. Notice the structural symmetry of this passage. For the sake of clarification, the “D” represents DESIRABLE and the “U” represents UNDESIRABLE experiences. Each line is then mirrored from both ends to the center. Read each line with the idea of A time to:

The next verse asks, “What profit then has the laborer in all his toil?” It seems like an odd question to ask after this beautiful symmetrical poem. Well, it’s really a perfect question. You see, I made one purposeful reversal in this poem. The last line does not read PEACE and WAR, but WAR and PEACE.  And this disrupts everything! It creates an abrupt tension to a gracefully flowing poem.

It’s like Bach writing a beautiful symphony only to end it with a discordant clanging of cymbals. Why did Solomon implement this unsettling device?

Again note Solomon’s question that follows the discord: “What profit then has the laborer in all his toil?”  

While we expect the passage to leave us with a satisfying symmetry and sense of contentment, Solomon teaches us to expect the unexpected! You can’t count on life going according to plan.

But all is not lost. These unexpected and undesirable events have a purpose. And that purpose is found in Solomon’s summary of his poem: God does these things to humble us—because He makes everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:10,11)