Written over 3000 years ago, by King Solomon, if you really want to know the meaning, you need to look at the words in context.
Solomon was talking about how all of life is futile, prior to this writing.
"Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless!" He says (or futile in other translations. He goes on to list all the things he's had and tried, the 1000 wives and concubines, all the riches he could want..fame, knowledge, wisdom. He was recognized through life as the wisest man of his time. The Queen of Sheba came traveled to see him with gold and gems to give him in exchange for his wisdom. He had it all and his conclusion? It's all meaningless.
Then he pens these words... there is a season for everything.
After that he comes to his conclusion and I think this is the meaning ultimately of these words...
Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
because this is the whole duty of man.
For God will evaluate every deed,
including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Basically, stuff means nothing... life is full of seasons, and ultimately the eternal is what matters.
Written over 3000 years ago, by King Solomon, if you really want to know the meaning, you need to look at the words in context. Solomon was talking about how all of life is futile, prior to this writing. "Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless!" He says (or futile in other translations. He goes on to list all the things he's had and tried, the 1000 wives and concubines, all the riches he could want..fame, knowledge, wisdom. He was recognized through life as the wisest man of his time. The Queen of Sheba came traveled to see him with gold and gems to give him in exchange for his wisdom. He had it all and his conclusion? It's all meaningless. Then he pens these words... there is a season for everything.
After that he comes to his conclusion and I think this is the meaning ultimately of these words... Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion:
Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Basically, stuff means nothing... life is full of seasons, and ultimately the eternal is what matters.