Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 131

"Man also does not know his time"

Text: Ecclesiastes 9:12

EVIL TIMES

Solomon was well aware of the hazards of life. One never knows what evil may befall a person.

“For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.”
Ecclesiastes 9:12

1. “For man also does not know his time”

a) There are things that one may know ahead of time.

i) Thus, one can make preparation for that time.

ii) This may help cushion the blow.

b) But there are things that are unknown and unpredictable.

i) This is when one is most vulnerable.

ii) One is unprepared for such an event.

2. Comparisons struck

a) “Like fish taken in a cruel net”

i) The fish swimming happily one moment.

ii) It is caught in a cruel net in the next moment.

b) “Like birds caught in a snare”

i) The bird may be flying around looking for food.

ii) It is caught in a snare that he was not aware of.

3. “So the sons of men are snared in an evil time”

a) Men are also ensnared in an evil time.

b) They are trapped in a net that they find difficulty getting out of.

4. “When it falls suddenly upon them”

a) Evil times may be:

i) Natural calamities

ii) A Pandemic virus

b) There is little that man can do when problems come upon them “suddenly”.

i) The swiftness of the event.

ii) The fierceness of the problem.

iii) The suddenness of the calamity.

These are called “evil times.”

5. But man does not need to lose all hope

a) He can find a solution.

b) He can battle the problems.

c) He can seek God’s help.

One must never lose hope, even in the worst of evil times!