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Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. — Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 (ESV)
We all want to be in control. We want to think that if we exercise and eat a healthy diet, we’ll have a long and healthy life. We hope that if we spend less money than we make and are careful with our choices, we’ll have enough when we need it. We hope that intelligent and careful people will always be able to find the food and shelter they need. We want to think that if we dedicate our children to God, read them Bible stories, pray together, and give them good examples, then they’ll never depart from it. And we want to believe that God will work all things for our good soon, so those who fear Him can enjoy life and success now.
But Qohelet, the preacher of Ecclesiastes, warns us, “Not so fast. You’re not in control, and you’re foolish to imagine you are” [Ecclesiastes 9:11-12]. I sent this quote to four friends, each of whom has special strengths. Below are the letters written to Grandpa Q, our teacher in Ecclesiastes, along with his replies.
Dear Grandpa Q:
You say the fastest people don’t always win races, and the biggest armies don’t always win wars. But doesn’t hard work, talent, and good decision-making count for something? I’d write more but I have to get back to work.
Signed,
Amelia Ambition
Dear Ms Ambition,
Hard work and ambition do matter. God is the source of your strength; He gives you work to do. He’s the one who gives you those talents! So whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your strength now, in this life! [Ecclesiastes 9:10] Your opportunity to use those gifts from God will end someday, and a talent unused is a talent wasted. But God never gave you or me the talent for controlling the universe; He keeps that talent for Himself. And He can be trusted!
Yours Industriously,
Grandpa Q
Dear Grandpa Q,
In your role as king, perhaps you have not thought this position all the way through. But as a sociologist investigating the rich and the poor, I am surprised by your statement. Aren’t you over-simplifying complex situations potentially involving injustice and even oppression? What about opportunities that some people have, and others don’t? What about the unfairness in the laws and systems that govern our lives? Aren’t you overlooking the other factors that influence the outcome?
Signed,
Ethan Equality
Dear Mr Equality,
I can see your point; there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve. I have seen the powerful oppress the weak, and I have witnessed the hardships endured by the marginalized. But these facts mean we DO try to bring about good! You must acknowledge your limited control and still advocate for fairness, seek to rectify unjust systems, and extend compassion to those who are poor or oppressed.
Suppose you get to work in government, for example. When you have the opportunity to speak to the powerful, avoid getting stuck in party politics or pleasing your friends. Instead, only support good causes! There are good ways to accomplish things, so look for the proper procedures to improve things and get things done that benefit everybody [Ecclesiastes 8:2-5]. God Himself works for justice for the persecuted [Ecclesiastes 3:15]. But even then, when you’re making things better, don’t imagine you’re in control.
Ever Your Advocate,
Grandpa Q
Dear Grandpa Q,
I love most of your book because you clarify there’s no meaning and purpose! You do have a few points that concern me, but wouldn’t you agree the best outlook is basically fatalistic? I can almost hear you saying, “Stop striving for success or improvement!”
Your line about the “race not going to the swift, or battle to the strong” is brilliant! But my friends tell me that sometimes this kind of statement could cause people to feel helpless or think their efforts are ultimately futile. Are you ever concerned you might be hindering growth, motivation, and perseverance? Shouldn’t we all just stop trying since everything is governed by chance?
Signed,
Nathan Nihilist
My Dearest Nihilist,
I do not want anyone to feel helpless — I want to challenge conventional wisdom because we often forget there are limits and complexities. I don’t want people to believe that through their efforts they can control the world; I also don’t want them to be crushed when the outcome they seek doesn’t come. I want to encourage a balanced mindset. My reader should learn to be someone who strives to work hard while trusting God, humbly accepting all of His gifts and depending on Him when things are hard.
God gives you wisdom, knowledge, and joy to do good, accomplish good things, and work diligently! [Ecclesiastes 2:24-25] I want you to feel inspired to pursue excellence and character growth while you acknowledge you cannot control the world. God is watching, and He is managing. Trust Him!
Your Humble Observer,
Grandpa Q
Dear Grandpa Q,
As I read your statement, I felt I had the duty to correct you on one matter. By raising the comparison of fish and birds, you are minimizing the choices, control, and responsibility that humans have. Unlike a fish who cannot see the fisherman coming, individuals can make choices and take actions that influence their outcomes. Your focus on chance may lead people to ignore the fact they are accountable for their own lives and decisions. You must take this matter seriously and issue a revision to your published work.
Signed,
Ava Accountability
Dear Ms Accountability,
You raise a good point: choosing to live according to the design God has for the universe is wisdom. It’s smart to listen to advice and be careful what you say. The wise work diligently to build, but they are thankful for the gift of building. A foolish person bangs away without planning or thinking, but wise people apply thought and care to their decisions. One wise person, Abraham Lincoln, echoed my own thoughts when he said that if given six hours to cut down a tree, he would spend four of them sharpening the axe [Ecclesiastes 10:10].
But even that wise person could not, by careful decisions and much listening, cause his nation to be healed or correct every problem. So you err in believing hard work and smart decisions are the ultimate solutions since the world is not under the management of wise men and women but in the hands of an all-wise God. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has given him advice? [Romans 11:34]
Responsibly,
Grandpa Q
