As we look at the second half of this book, remember that we are looking at the pursuit of wisdom. We have been in this pursuit since chapter 7. We have seen that wisdom can be gained through mourning and sorrow, and even by attending a funeral (7:2). Wisdom is found in pursuing righteousness, even though righteousness might not bring an immediate temporal reward. (It may not make life instantly easier.) We have seen the wisdom of civil submission (8:2). (Our fear of God teaches us to respect authority.) We have seen the wisdom of contemplating and preparing for death, learning to enjoy life, and preparing for eternity. (Live with the expectation of standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ.) And we have seen the wisdom of being humble and avoiding being combative (Matthew 5:3).  The truths we are learning in Ecclesiastes are not presented just so we can have a more enjoyable life. (It is wisdom that is needed to properly respond to Christ and the kingdom of Heaven.) If we don’t learn to submit, what will we do when the Lord instructs us to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him? If we won’t learn to be humble, what will we do when He exposes our sin and tells us to repent? If we will not acknowledge the certainty of death, what will we do when He calls upon us to lose this life (in service to Him) for rewards in the next? This instruction teaches to put aside the foolishness of the flesh so that we might follow Jesus. In our text Solomon gives us what may appear as merely practical advice for living. However, it is really wisdom to prepare us for living as a child of God should live (EXAMPLES: Some see vs.1 as practical advice about commerce. (I’m not sure that was Solomon’s intent.) Some see vs. 2 as practical advice concerning diversification and planning for the future. Some see vv.3-6 as advice about farming -- 1)   The importance of labor, 2)   Avoiding procrastination, 3)   And even embracing some uncertainty as we work. Do you really believe that was Solomon’s objective here? Of course not. (Jesus used farming illustrations, but He wasn’t teaching us about farming.) Solomon’s purpose: To impart the kind of wisdom that will make us fit for living under the Kingdom of Heaven. What is the Kingdom of Heaven? It is the rule of the Kingdom principles in our lives (Example:  Matthew 7:12 – The “Golden Rule.”) There are three divisions in the text: 1) Vs. 2 – #1 -- Misfortune; #2 -- God’s activity; #3 -- The potential for success.

I. PREPAREDNESS -- YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN MISFORTUNE WILL COME, SO BE PREPARED – VV. 1-3.

II. PROCRASTINATION -- YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT GOD IS DOING, BUT YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOUR JOB IS – VV. 3-5.

III. PRODUCTIVITY -- YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN PRODUCTIVITY WILL BE HIGHEST, SO KEEP SOWING – VS. 6.