“A TIME TO WEEP, AND A TIME TO LAUGH”

INTRODUCTION

A. Ecclesiastes 3:1

1. “The words of the Preacher” (1:1), Solomon, inform us that a time is available for every event that transpires in the lives of men.

2. We began this two weeks ago, and continue it tonight.

B. Ecclesiastes 3:4a-b Our study resumes at this time with “a time to weep, and a time to laugh.”

I. “A TIME TO WEEP”

A. Appropriate Occasions

1. When babies are in need.

a. Exodus 1:22-2:6 When the Egyptian princess discovered baby Moses among the reeds, the child wept.

b. Lacking other communication skills, it is perfectly appropriate for a baby to weep.

2. Upon the deaths of loved ones.

a. Genesis 23:1-2 Abraham wept when he lost his beloved wife, Sarah.

b. Genesis 49:33-50:3 Joseph wept at the death of his father, Jacob, as did the Egyptians.

c. Deuteronomy 34:5-8 Israel wept over the death of its leader, Moses.

d. Matthew 2:16-18 As Jeremiah prophesied (Jeremiah 31:15), the women of Judah wept when King Herod slaughtered their sons.

e. Acts 9:39-41 The widows of the church at Joppa wept at the death of their beloved sister, Dorcas. f. John 11:1-3, 17, 32-36

i. Even Jesus, in Whom was the power to resurrect His dead friend (38-44), wept on the occasion of that friend’s death.

ii. Although we know death to be a blessed event for those who have served God faithfully (Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13), it is altogether reasonable to be emotionally touched when a loved one departs.

3. When grave illness threatens life.

a. Knowing the legitimacy of weeping on the occasion of death, it is equally reasonable to weep at the threat of death.

b. Genesis 21:14-16 Hagar wept when she supposed her son, Ishmael, would perish in the wilderness.

c. Philippians 2:25-30 Paul sorrowed that his friend Epaphroditus might die, and feared greater sorrow if he did die.

d. 2nd Samuel 12:12b-23 King David thought it more sensible to weep at the prospect of losing his son than at the event itself.

4. In bidding final farewell.

a. If losing a loved one in death is just cause to weep, never again seeing a loved one, regardless of the circumstances, would cause a similar reaction.

b. Acts 20:36-37 The overseers of the church at Ephesus “wept freely” when they said their last goodbyes to the apostle Paul.

5. When family is reunited.

a. Just as a permanent farewell is an occasion to weep, so is the reunion of loved ones who have long been estranged from one another.

b. Genesis 27:41-45; 33:1-4 Decades after he initially swore to take the life of his brother, Esau enthusiastically embraced his brother Jacob with tears.

c. Genesis 42:24; 43:30; 45:14-15; 46:29

i. Many years after Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery, their appearance before his throne caused him to weep.

ii. The prospect and fulfillment of meeting his youngest brother also caused him to weep.

iii. He wept again when he was finally reunited with his father, Jacob.

6. In gospel preaching.

a. Acts 20:17-21, 31 In the work of preaching Christ, tears are not unusual.

i. They are brought on by the trials we face.

ii. They are also a byproduct of constant warnings.

b. 2nd Corinthians 2:1-4 Paul’s work among the Corinthians involved a sorrowful visit, anguished writing, and fear of a sorrowful return, all of which was caused by his need to warn them against the sins they had previously tolerated.

c. My work as an evangelist has yielded tears on a few occasions.

i. Once, when a mother refused to allow her daughter to be baptized.

ii. Calling on the church to discipline a wayward member.

7. When sin is revealed.

a. 2nd Kings 22:11-20 When Josiah realized that his people had long been in sin, it caused him to weep, and that sincere grief was the reason he was spared from God’s wrath.

b. Ezra 9:1-7, 13-15; 10:1 When Ezra was made aware of his people’s sins, he was bitterly astonished and wept.

c. Luke 22:54-62 Peter wept when he realized that he had just denied his Lord, as Jesus had foretold.

d. James 4:7-10

i. These examples of weeping in response to sin are altogether appropriate, for such is commanded!

ii. Sinners must lament, mourn, and weep; they must be humbled, in order to be properly motivated to turn away from their sin.

e. 2nd Corinthians 7:8-11 Godly sorrow is absolutely necessary for repentance.

8. In sympathy.

a. Sometimes, weeping must be done, not from a personal sense of grief, but in sympathy toward others.

b. Job 2:11-13 Although they proved themselves miserable failures in such things, Job’s three friends were quite right to weep with him in an effort to comfort their comrade.

c. Romans 12:15; 1st Corinthians 12:25-26; Galatians 6:2

i. To “weep with those who weep” is a command in the New Testament.

ii. Such sympathy is evidence of unity in the church.

iii. Moreover, it fulfills the law of Christ.

B. Eternal Possibilities

1. Revelation 7:16-17; 21:4 Although there is much to weep over now, we are assured that in heaven, God will take our tears away!

2. Matthew 24:45-51; 25:30; Luke 13:22-28 Nevertheless, weeping in constant agony is all that awaits the unfaithful.

II. “A TIME TO LAUGH”

A. Just as certainly as we are assured of “a time to weep,” we are told that there is “a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

1. Psalm 126:5-6

2. John 16:20-21

B. The Hebrew word translated as “laugh” in our text conveys a variety of meanings, each of which we can explore.

1. Derision

a. 2nd Chronicles 30:5-10 When the divine order of worship was restored under King Hezekiah, his efforts were, sadly, met with mocking.

b. Psalm 2:1-4; 37:12-13; 59:1-8 Yet those who plot against the Lord are scorned by Him.

2. Playing

a. Judges 16:25-27 When Samson was imprisoned by the Philistines, they used him for entertainment, making him perform for them.

b. 2nd Samuel 6:5, 21 This word also refers to playing music.

c. Job 41:1-5; 40:15-20; Psalm 104:24-26

i. Animals, like birds, may be played with.

ii. And animals themselves are said to play in the mountain and in the sea.

d. Zechariah 8:4-5 Playing is what boys and girls do best.

3. Rejoicing

a. Proverbs 8:30-31 Wisdom is here personified as the companion of God, rejoicing with Him.

b. Proverbs 31:25 The virtuous wife is said to be one who, in her honor, shall have reason to rejoice.

C. Considering the contrast presented in our primary text (Ecclesiastes 3:2-8), we must conclude that Solomon has reference to the converse of weeping, which would be rejoicing.

D. Appropriate Occasions

1. Luke 10:20; Acts 8:35-39; 16:30-34 That our names are written in heaven is cause for rejoicing.

2. Romans 12:15; 1st Corinthians 12:25-26 As with weeping, we also ought to rejoice when our beloved rejoice.

3. Luke 15:1-10; 2nd Corinthians 7:9-10 Therefore, when the wanderer is restored to God, we should rejoice with him.

4. 2nd Corinthians 7:16; 2nd John 1-4; 3rd John 1-4; 1st Thessalonians 2:19-20 When we have confidence in our brethren, we have reason to be glad.

5. 1st Peter 4:12-14; James 1:2-4; Matthew 5:10-12; Acts 5:40-42 As Christians, we even have reason to rejoice in affliction!

6. Romans 5:1-11; 1st Corinthians 13:4-6; Philippians 3:1a; 4:4 At all times, we have reason to rejoice in the truth of Christ Jesus.

CONCLUSION

A. Luke 6:21b

B. Luke 6:25b

Grace Be With You, Bryan Matthew Dockens

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