Pictorial Language Series
Ecclesiastes 11:4 reads: “The one who watches the wind will not sow seed, and the one who looks at the clouds will not reap.” (NWT 2013) (Other translations) What is the point about the wind and clouds? Consider the situation: You are a farmer and you make constant comments about the wind. One time it is too windy: "Well, all my seed will get blown everywhere. What good is that?" The next time it is not windy enough, "There isn't enough to scatter my seed evenly. It will end up in clumps. I can't have that." The fact is, there just doesn't seem to be any perfect condition for you.The same goes with the clouds: "Well, it is starting to cloud up. It might rain. I can't harvest in the rain."
So what is the point? If you said the point is finding excuses and procrastinating, you would be 100% correct. When we are hesitant (or just plain do not want to do something) we tend to find any plausible (or even ridiculously silly) reason for delaying action.“
So what is the point? If you said the point is finding excuses and procrastinating, you would be 100% correct. When we are hesitant (or just plain do not want to do something) we tend to find any plausible (or even ridiculously silly) reason for delaying action.“
When the matter we are delaying could have a long range effect on our life (such as dealing with crops to feed ourselves), the result can be more than a minor inconvenience, it could be catastrophic! To avoid the possibility of suffering due to procrastination, the Bible encourages us to be determined, industrious and diligent so that regardless of whether the returns on our investment of time, effort, and resources are small or great, we will have "something" to show for our efforts. In addition, even if things turn out poorly, just the clear conscience of knowing we made every effort is better than doing nothing.
See this update: A Second Look at Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
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