Known and Unknown (Ecc 11:1–10)

In the frustrating and confusing mysteries of life, we find that there are many things that are unknown. If you ever think you have amassed great wisdom, look around and think about all the things you don’t know. You will be amazed. The immensity of the unknown dwarfs even the collective knowledge of all mankind. There are many things we simply don’t know.
In the midst of life, which is often frustrating and puzzling, the Preacher advises us to be generous in our dealings, because we simply do not know if or how that might come back to us (11:1–2). Generally speaking, people who are generous find that others are generous to them as well. Since we do not know the future, we should live accordingly.
Weather patterns are fairly predictable, but sometimes even the meteorologists are surprised. Can you guarantee which way a tree will fall? We just don’t know (11:3). If you spend your whole life worrying about all of life’s uncertainties, you will be paralyzed with fear and never do a single thing (11:4)!
Nobody has ever seen an unborn child receive an eternal human spirit, and nobody knows everything that God does or why he does what he does (11:5). We simply don’t know. You don’t know which seeds that you plant will grow and thrive or which will be trampled or die of disease, so plant and work and trust the Lord for the rest (11:6). You just don’t know, so be faithful in what you should be. Enjoy life, but remember this: you don’t live forever (11:7–8).
As you live and pick your way through life’s unknowns, there is one thing that we do know and that should remain in the front of our minds: we are accountable to God for our actions (11:9). Use your youth wisely, for God’s glory, and not in a way that will cause you to look back some day with regret (11:10).