| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. |
Bread – Truth. R3715:1*
Waters – Peoples. R3715:1*
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| 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. |
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| 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. |
Empty themselves – Inanimate things act under nature's law--there is nothing to indicate that this text refers to mankind at all. R2048:5
Tree falleth – When an individual dies. Q767:T
If any lesson or comparison to man were intended, it would be that so man falls helpless in death. R2048:5
There it shall be – As a tree is powerless to change its position, the world will be raised with the same kind of intelligence with which it went down into death. R2048:5, R4985:6, R4668:4; Q767:T, A105
There is no change in the grave, either for good or for evil. Q588:T
"There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave." (Eccl. 9:10) A106
As one awakening from a sleep finds himself in practically the same condition in which he lay down, plus a slight invigoration, and is able to identify himself and speedily recall the events and circumstances which preceded his sleep. F714
There would he be forever were it not for the divine arrangement for his awakening. HG647:1
The earliest opportunity after death to gain knowledge and form character will be when "all that are in the graves shall come forth." (John 5:28, 29) R2050:5
No change of character takes place in the grave. R2050:5, R1965:4, R545:1
If one were raised perfect he would not know himself--his identity would be gone. R4985:6
They will come forth from the tomb in practically the condition in which they entered it--mentally, morally and physically. R5167:1, R4985:6
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| 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
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| 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. |
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| 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. |
Sow thy seed – God's message is so grand that whoever receives it in a good and honest heart must desire to live it and tell it to others. R4001:2
Withhold not – "Sow beside all waters." (Isa. 32:20) If the sowing has been toust expect the harvest work to be similarly broad. R4000:2
Continue to serve, even when apparently the most favorable opportunities are withheld. R3197:4
Thou knowest not – By tracting, etc., the truth reaches more people than we might realize. R5915:4*
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| 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: |
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| 8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. |
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| 9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. |
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| 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. |
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