To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
To every thing ... a season - Heb., zªmaan (H2165)2165 determined time. Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, as the sun, wind, and water (Ecclesiastes 1:5-7).
A time to every purpose - as there is a fixed "season" in God's 'purposes' (e.g., He has fixed the "time" when man is "to be born," and "to die," Ecclesiastes 3:2), so there is a lawful "time" for man to carry out his 'purposes' and inclinations (Hebrew, cheepets (H2656); literally, desire). God does not condemn, but approves of the 'use' of earthly blessings (Ecclesiastes 3:12): it is the 'abuse' that He condemns-the making them the chief end (1 Corinthians 7:31). The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control. Reason and revelation are given to control them. The season to everything is not one fixed by blind fate, but by the gracious God, who cares for His people. If they be in sorrow, let them patiently and confidently wait His time, which is the best time for succouring them (cf. Psalms 75:2, margin, and note; Psalms 102:13, "the time to favour Zion ... the set time is come;" Isaiah 10:12). Believers have the "desire" that the kingdom of God should come at once, but God has His own "time:" their part is to wait patiently for it (Acts 1:6-7).