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Expanded Comments |
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1 Cast thy bread-corn, upon the face of the waters,–for, after many days, shalt thou find it: |
Bread – Truth. R3715:1*
Waters – Peoples. R3715:1*
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2 Give a portion to seven, yea even to eight,–for thou canst not know, what there shall be of misfortune, upon the earth. |
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3 If the clouds be filled with a downpour, upon the earth, will they empty themselves, and, if a tree fall in the south or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there will it be found. |
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, will not sow,–and, he that watcheth the clouds, will not reap. |
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5 Just as thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, when the body is in the womb of her that is with child, even, so, canst thou not know the work of God, who maketh all. |
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6 In the morning, sow thy seed, and, until evening, do not withhold thy hand,–for thou knowest not–whether shall thrive, either this or that, or whether, both alike, shall be fruitful. |
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 sweet is the light,–and, pleasant to the eyes, to see the sun: |
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8 But, though, many years, a man live, through them all, let him rejoice; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for many they may be, all that cometh, may be vanity. |
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9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart gladden thee in the days of thine early manhood, and walk thou–in the ways of thine own heart, and in that which is seen by thine own eyes,–yet know, that, for all these things, will God bring thee into judgment. |
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10 Therefore remove thou vexation from thy heart, and put away discomfort from thy flesh,–for, youth and dawn, are vanity! |
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