Ecclesiastes 3:14

“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever, etc.] Which some, as Jarchi, understand of the works of creation, the heavens and the earth, which are however of long standing and duration; and though they shall be dissolved and perish, as to their form and quality, yet not as to the substance of them: the earth particularly is said to abide for ever, (<210104>Ecclesiastes 1:4); the sun and moon, and stars, keep their course or station; and the several seasons of the year have their constant revolution, and shall as long as the earth endures; see (<010822>Genesis 8:22 <243135> Jeremiah 31:35,36 33:20,21); the several kinds of creatures God has made, in the earth, air, and sea, though…”

“(Sa1 3:12; Sa2 23:5; Psa 89:34; Mat 24:35; Jam 1:17). for ever--as opposed to man's perishing labors (Ecc 2:15-18). any thing taken from it--opposed to man's "crooked and wanting" works (Ecc 1:15; Ecc 7:13). The event of man's labors depends wholly on God's immutable purpose. Man's part, therefore, is to do and enjoy every earthly thing in its proper season (Ecc 3:12-13), not setting aside God's order, but observing deep reverence towards God; for the mysteriousness and unchangeableness of God's purposes are designed to lead "man to fear before Him." Man knows not the event of each act: otherwise he would think himself independent of God.”

“The last clause of this verse goes beyond a declaration of the fact of God’s government of the world Ecclesiastes 2:26 by adding the moral effect which that fact is calculated to produce on those who see it. It is the first indication of the practical conclusion Ecclesiastes 12:13 of the book. return to 'Top of Page'”

“For ever - All God's counsels or decrees are eternal and unchangeable. Nothing - Men can neither do any thing against God's counsel and providence, nor hinder any work or act of it. Fear - That by the consideration of his power in the disposal of all persons and things, men should learn to trust in him, to submit to him, to fear to offend him, and more carefully study to please him. Ecclesiastes 3:15”

“3:14 Knowing that whatever God does is final is a reason to fear him—to trust and revere God and respect all that he does.”

“whatsoever: Psa 33:11, Psa 119:90, Psa 119:91; Isa 46:10; Dan 4:34, Dan 4:35; Act 2:23, Act 4:28; Rom 11:36; Eph 3:11; Tit 1:2; Jam 1:17 nothing: Psa 76:10; Pro 19:21, Pro 21:30, Pro 30:6; Isa 10:12-15; Dan 8:8, Dan 11:2-4; Joh 19:10, Joh 19:11, Joh 19:28-37; Act 5:39 God doeth it: Psa 64:9; Isa 59:18, Isa 59:19; Rev 15:4 Ecclesiastes 3:15”

“"Thus I discerned it then, that all that God will do exists for ever; nothing is to be added to it, and nothing taken from it: God has thus directed it, that men should fear before Him." This is a conclusion derived from the facts of experience, a truth that is valid for the present and for the time to come. We may with equal correctness render by quidquid facit and quidquid faciet. But the pred. shows that the fut. expression is also thought of as fut.; for הוּ יה לע does not mean: that is for ever (Hitz.), which would be expressed by the subst. clause הוּא לעולם; but: that shall be for ever (Zck.), i.e., will always assert its validity. That which is affirmed here is true of God's…”