A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4 (KJV)
The phrases ‘to mourn’ and ‘to dance’ seems to share a transformative meaning. Example: Ps 30:11, ‘you have turned my mourning into joyful dancing,’ (Seow, 161)
Comments: To Provan, this is a straightforward verse – that there is a time for weeping and laughing and so on. But he also categorises this as ‘part of human existence.’ (99) The second reading seems a bit underwhelming. On the other hand, Gill seems to add a little too much value to his reading. He writes of mourning with a reference to ‘Christ withdrawing.’ And joy (laugh… dance) with reference to ‘the presence of Bridegroom (Christ); Isa 61:3, Mat 9:15, Joh 16:19. This may be true for the narration of the greater redemption story. But Qoheleth does not seem to be referring to Christ withdrawing or Christ returning. The emphasis, as Bartholomew puts it, seems to be on emotions of grief and joy. So, yes – in accordance with the theme of chapter 3, Qoheleth seems to refer to the point that in life there is a God appointed time for mourning and rejoicing. But the larger take-away seems to be the point that if there is a time for breaking down then there is a time for building up (v3); similarly, if there is a time for grief then there is also a time for joy. One moment cannot define life. But much closer to Gill’s ‘over-read,’ it is also true that there is a time we mourn with the life of sin and there will be a time when we rejoice with Him in eternity. Both reading rests on the larger consolation that God is sovereign and he cares for his people.
References:
Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic
Gill, J. (1748-63). Exposition of the Old Testament, Eccl. 3:2
Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press
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