A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to be born - rather, as Hebrew, laledeth, to bear. So the Septuagint, The time to bear is the time of the Church's and Israel's gladness (Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 66:7-8). Jesus refers to this in John 16:21. Dying is opposed to bearing.
A time to die - (Psalms 31:15.) Jesus alludes to this, John 7:8; John 7:30. God, who permits Israel to die at one time, will revive her again (Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalms 68:20; Psalms 71:20; Psalms 80:18; Psalms 85:6; Ezekiel 37:1; Hosea 6:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Habakkuk 3:2).
To plant ... a time to pluck up. A man can no more reverse the times and order of 'planting' and of 'digging up,' and transplanting, than he can alter the times fixed for his 'birth' and 'death.' To try to "plant" out of season is vanity, however good in season; so to make earthly things the chief end is vanity, however good they be in order and season. So God has His time for planting and for plucking up nations, especially Israel, and professing churches (Psalms 44:2; Psalms 80:8; Psalms 80:12-13; Jeremiah 18:7; Jeremiah 18:9; Amos 9:15; Matthew 15:13; Revelation 2:5, end).