I. Fate is fixed. All the past was the result of a previous destiny, and so shall be all the future. Such is the sentiment of the third chapter, and such appears to be the import of this passage. It must be conceded that the Saviour assumes a preordination in all events. But then what sort of preordination was it which the Saviour recognised? Was it mechanical or moral? Was it blind destiny or wise decree? Was it fate, or was it providence? As interpreted by "the only begotten Son from the bosom of the Father," that pre-arrangement of events which the theologian calls predestination, and the philosopher necessity, and which the old heathenism called fate, is nothing more than the will of the Father the good pleasure of that blessed and only Potentate whose omniscience foresaw all possibilities, and from out of all these possibilities whose benevolent wisdom selected the best and gave it being. It depends on whether we are spectators or sons, whether our emotion towards the Divine foreknowledge and sovereignty be, "O Fate, I fear thee," or "O Father, I thank Thee."
II. Man is feeble. Christless humanity is a very feeble thing. Redeemed and regenerate humanity is only a little lower than the angels.
III. Every joy is futile. "Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?" Enter into Christ's peace, and learn to delight in His perfections; and thus, while sinful pleasures lose their relish, lawful joys will acquire a flavour of sacredness and the zest of a sweet security. Or should the cistern break, and the creature fail, the infinite joy is Jehovah; and the soul cannot wither whose roots are replenished from that fountain unfailing.
IV. Life is fleeting. It is a "vain life," and all its days a "shadow." But Jesus Christ hath brought immortality to light. This fleeting life He hath rendered important as a "shadow from the rock Eternity."
V. The future is a dark enigma. "Who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?" It may quiet all the Christian's anxiety to know that when he himself is gone to be for ever with the Lord Christ's kingdom will be spreading in the world. "Then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, Go thou thy way till the end be, for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."
J. Hamilton, The Royal Preacher,p. 146.
References: Ecclesiastes 5:12. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 189. 5 C. Bridges, An Exposition of Ecclesiastes,p. 96.