God's Grand Plan

In chapters 1 and 2, Qoheleth presented life as vain and empty "under the sun" A life filled to the brim with materialism and pleasure was none the less vain if one had any inclinations towards thoughtfulness. Surprisingly, even a wise life brought sorrow! That is, until God enters the scene at Ecc. 2:24. He turns there in his argumentation and presents the prospect of a joyful life, even a life with wisdom, knowledge and joy (contrary to 1:18). In Chapter 3, life is presented with everything ordered by God (3:1-8) and beautiful in its time (3:11). God has placed eternity into man's heart, but not in such a way as to remove its transcendence above man (3:12). Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that God has His plan for the ages and that we can receive the gift of joy when we rest in Him.