The Preterist View of Ecclesiastes Chapter 11

          The Preterist View of Ecclesiastes Chapter 11 

11:1 — “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”

Solomon encourages generosity in uncertainty. Yet under the Law, blessing was transactional. Paul reframes this: “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor 9:6). The kingdom economy is now active—faithful sowing bears eternal fruit, not just temporal return.

11:2 — “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight…”

A call to widen generosity. Solomon hedges bets; Paul pours out: “Do good to all, especially the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). In the New Covenant, giving is not risk management—it’s kingdom abundance.

11:3 — “If the clouds are full… they pour rain… whether a tree falls… there it lies.”

This proverb reflects unchangeable outcomes. In Solomon’s eyes, life is what it is. But Paul sees divine purpose even in storms: “All things work together for good” (Rom 8:28). The judgment of the fig tree has already fallen—at Calvary and in 70 AD—and now we live in clear skies of new creation.

11:4 — “He who observes the wind will not sow…”

Fear of conditions paralyzes. Solomon’s wisdom says to act despite uncertainty. Paul takes it further: “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). We sow with assurance, not anxiety.

11:5 — “You do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb…”

An acknowledgment of mystery. Solomon sees limits; Paul sees revelation: “Now we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). The mystery is finished (Rev 10:7)—resurrection life has come, no longer hidden but present in us.

11:6 — “Sow your seed in the morning… for you do not know which will prosper…”

Solomon still works within uncertainty. Paul, in contrast, affirms confidence in God’s faithfulness (Phil 1:6). We are called to labor joyfully in the now-present kingdom—no more guessing which age we’re in.

11:7 — “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.”

A rare poetic note. Solomon relishes the goodness of life—yet it fades. Paul invites us into unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:16), and John says the Lamb is our sun (Rev 21:23). The saints can rejoice: the night is over; the Day has fully dawned.

11:8 — “If a person lives many years… let him remember the days of darkness…”

A shadow of death still hangs over Solomon. The grave looms. But Paul declares, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:54). Those dark days were fulfilled and ended in 70 AD. Now, only the light of the kingdom remains.

11:9 — “Rejoice, O young man… but know that God will bring you into judgment.”

This is Old Covenant tension: enjoy life, but judgment is coming. Paul declares the judgment has passed for those in Christ (Rom 8:1). The final judgment came upon the Old Covenant world. We now rejoice with unveiled faces.

11:10 — “Remove vexation… for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Solomon ends this chapter echoing his theme—vanity. But in Christ, youth and age, joy and sorrow, all find meaning. Paul says, “To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Vanity has passed, and meaning has fully come in the New Covenant. Solomon’s shows cautious optimism in a crumbling system. He encourages sowing, joy, and action—yet fear and judgment still lurk. Through Paul’s gospel and in the light of the fulfilled kingdom, every verse finds new life. What was vanity is now purpose. What was mystery is now revealed. What was pending is now present.