What Exactly Do We Know?

Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

The writer of Ecclesiastes was a product of his time, and it shows in his writing. For example, in today’s Old Testament passage we read, “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” (Ecclesiastes 11:5). The fact is medical science has solved a number of mysteries including the development of life from conception onward, but that does not invalidate the point being made here. Indeed, I would suggest the wonder and the mystery surrounding “the work of God” only deepens as we learn more about human life and the world that sustains it.

There have been medical professionals in just about every congregation I have served, men and women who have demonstrated tremendous faith. These individuals can go a long way in explaining the formation of life in scientific terms, but this in no way has diminished their amazement at all God has done and is doing in our world. Often they believe, in large part, because of what they know and not the other way around. I’ve heard it said that the more we know the more we realize what we don’t know, and that may well be true. We can explain the how of conception, but faith confronts us with even deeper wonder. Likewise, we can explain in great detail to our children “where babies come from,” but until we share with them the love of God at work in human history (and in their lives as well) we have told them less than half the story.

Lost in this conversation may be the most profound claim that Ecclesiastes makes. It’s there at the end of verse 5, where we read that it is God “who makes everything.” Everything from babies in the womb to galaxies at the heart of the universe rely upon the God of Israel for their very being. Even as we come to understand more and more about life and being, we are still left with the realization that God is at work. Why? Well, that’s the real question, isn’t it?

Prayer: Lord, strengthen our faith as you open our eyes to the wonders of your creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.