Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 11:5
Verse of the Day
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything.
Introduction
Ecclesiastes 11:5 captures the mystery of God’s work in creation and providence. The verse humbles human understanding by pointing to both the wonder of life in the womb and the unknowable breadth of God's activity in the world. In a book often wrestling with the limitations of wisdom, this passage is a gentle call to trust God’s invisible hand even when outcomes remain uncertain.
Commentary
This verse presents a poetic comparison: just as humans cannot comprehend the development of life in the womb—a process still shrouded in wonder even with scientific advancement—so too are we unable to grasp the full scope of God's workings in the universe. The Hebrew word translated “breath” can also imply “spirit” or “wind,” evoking the divine spark of life that animates the body.
By paralleling the mystery of fetal development with the mystery of divine action, the author emphasizes that there are aspects of existence permanently beyond our grasp. Ecclesiastes, attributed traditionally to Qoheleth (often thought to be Solomon), frequently reflects on the elusiveness of knowledge and control, reminding us of our finite nature.
Understanding the Context
Ecclesiastes 11 is part of a larger section (chapters 10–12) that offers practical wisdom about life’s unpredictability. Verses 1–6 of chapter 11 in particular advise a proactive yet humble approach to life. Qoheleth urges readers to sow their seeds, diversify their actions, and not wait for perfect conditions—because the future is ultimately unknown.
Verse 5 serves as the theological anchor of this passage. It reminds the reader why we should act with faith and courage despite uncertainty: because God is sovereign, and His works are wondrously beyond human understanding. This perspective tempers our anxiety with trust and encourages faithful living in an uncertain world.
Application for Today
In an age saturated with information and technology, we often believe we can master every challenge through knowledge or planning. Ecclesiastes 11:5 challenges that assumption. Whether it’s trying to predict the economy, control health outcomes, or plan life down to the last detail, we must remember that we are not in full control—and never will be.
This verse calls us to release our obsession with certainty and trust the God who is at work in ways we cannot see. It encourages us to act with faith, sow generously, love deeply, and take risks—even when we don’t see immediate results. Trusting God doesn’t mean passivity; it means action rooted in confidence that He is at work, even when we can’t trace His hand.
Reflection
Ecclesiastes 11:5 leaves us with both awe and assurance. Awe, because we are reminded of our limitations and the grandeur of God’s work. Assurance, because this mystery is not chaos—it is God’s creation unfolding under His wise and loving governance. Just as life quietly forms in the womb, so does God's purpose take shape in the hidden corners of our lives. We may not always understand His ways, but we can rest in the knowledge that He "makes everything."
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
