Ecclesiastes 3:3b – …a time to break down, and a time to build up.

 

Thought:  Again, all humanity has experienced these contrasts.  We have had animals that were too sick or too hurt to help.  They had to be put to sleep.  On the other hand, there are situations wherein healing is the most viable option.  In like manner, some things just need to be torn down.  They are too run down and dilapidated to restore.  But, there are times to build up.  Sometimes a few boards, nails and a fresh coat of paint go a long way.  Making the distinction between these various times of life can be difficult and heart breaking.  Healing and building up, on the other hand, bring great joy.

 

Jeremiah 31:28

 

Commentary:

 

A.     A time to kill, and a time to heal…

 

B.      There is a time to break down, and a time to build up.

1.       Examples:

a.       When individuals purchase a used home, they have one of these ideas in mind.

1)      They will tear down the home and build a new one.

2)      They will seek to build up and restore the old one.

b.      When Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from Midian, he was also commanded to break down and build up.

1)      He was to break down the altar of Baal (Jud. 6:25).

 

…and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it.

 

2)      He was to build an altar unto God (Jud. 6:26).

 

And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place…

 

2.       NOTE:  Sometimes it is impossible to build up until things are broken down (See Jer. 1:10).

 

See I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

 

3.       Satan knows this principle as well.

a.       He has to destroy the truth to instill error.

b.      He has to destroy unity to bring about chaos.

c.       He has to destroy love so hate can prevail.

d.      He has to do away with good in order for evil to rule.

e.       He has to tear down law and order to cause chaos and anarchy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:4 – A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

 

Thought:  Each of us has had times of sorrow in our lives.  Perhaps it involved rejection.  Maybe it involved a loss in our lives.  It may have been when we experienced pain, either physically or emotionally.  Each of us has also had times of joy in our lives:  the birth of a child, an accomplishment in life, or good news about others in our lives.  All these things bring laughter and merriment to life.  We do not enjoy the sorrow, but the sorrow helps us to appreciate the joys of life. My friend, endure the sorrow and appreciate the times that cause you to dance.

 

Luke 15:8-10

 

Commentary:

 

A.     A time to weep, and a time to laugh

1.       Weeping has it time and its purpose

a.       One of the greatest times of weeping is during times of loss.

1)      The loss does not have to be the loss of a friend or loved one to death.

2)      It can be the loss of a business, a friendship, a prized possession, and even an animal.

b.      Weeping also occurs when there is pain, both physical and emotional.

c.       Weeping is experienced in times of great disappointment.

d.      The Bible teaches that it is possible for us to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

 

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, where by ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

e.       It is difficult for us to imagine a land of no weeping, but that place does exist (Rev. 21:4).

 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be nor more death, neither, sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.

 

f.        Weeping has its place in life.  It often serves as a cleansing agent.  It cleanses the heart of many of the negative emotions that mankind experiences. 

2.       Laughing also has its time and place

a.       Laugh:

1)      Strong (7832):  to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication to play

2)      BDB:  to laugh, play mock, sport, to jest

3)      Dictionary.com:  an audible sound, either soft or loud, that comes from the lungs as a result of mirth, pleasure, derision, or nervousness, accompanied with facial and body movements

 

          

 

b.      Laughing also serves its purpose (Prov. 15:13, 15; 17:22).

 

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

Ecclesiastes 3:5 – A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.

 

Thought:  A field must be prepared for plowing.  Part of the preparation is the casting away of stones.  A wall, on the other hand, needs to be built.  This is a time to gather stones.  In times of joy, individuals embrace.  In times of war, it is not the season to embrace.  There is a time for everything under the sun.  All humanity experiences these things in the ebb and flow of life. 

 

II Samuel 11:9-11

 

Commentary:

 

A.     There is a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones…

1.       Casting away stones has its time.

a.       Clean up usually involves the casting away of stones.

1)      When a disaster transpires

 

 

2)      When a farmer is trying to clear land for farming (Isa. 5:1-2).

 

Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard.  My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:  and he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine…

 

3)      When roads need to be built

 

 

b.      There is also a time to gather stones.

1.       We usually gather stones when it is time to build.

2.       The same stones that were cast out of a field are gathered to form a fence around that field.

 

 

3.       Towers built of stones

 

 

4.       LESSON:  Things that are useless in one setting are extremely valuable in another setting.  NOTE:  The same is true of people.

 

B.      …a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.

1.       Embracing has its time and place

a.       When are times when people embrace?

1)      We hugs to show love and affection.

2)      We hug to show care and concern.

3)      We hug to give encouragement.

4)      We hug in times of great joy.

b.      Examples:  Jonathan and David (1 Sam. 20:41); prodigal son and father (Luke 15:20), Paul and the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:37).

2.       There is a time to refrain from embracing.

a.       My children went to Crowley’s Ridge Academy.  One of the rules was:  No PDA (public displays of affection).

b.      Times people do not embrace:  in arguments, in times of war, while they are working, when they engage in deep study, and to give time to fasting and prayer (1 Cor. 7:5).