We've seen a thing or two
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Scripture: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9
Scripture: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9
Introduction
Introduction
Is it possible to be acquainted with people and not really know them? Across the nation there are many people who acquainted but they know little about each other; they don’t know what makes the other person tick.
The old timers in our community had a saying, “You don’t know me, until you’ve had some dealings with me. Until then, all you know is what somebody told you.” That is more than a simple proverb, it is a reality of life that cannot be ignored.
We don’t really know each other until we have a history of relationship. An irony of the economic system is that a person can have money in the bank with no debts and still have a low credit score if the person has no history. A new graduate from college often finds it difficult to get a job because they have a degree, but no work history.
When we have a history, it reveals the depth of our knowledge, and experience over time. Those who have a depth of experience find it easier to cope in challenging situations because there is very little that they have not seen.
The Farmer’s Insurance Company has launched an advertising campaign designed to highlight their company’s experience. Its commercial campaign show shows a variety of odd incidents that have occurred that the company has insured. In one commercial a man had a drumming session in his car while waiting in drive thru line. The man got carried away with the rhythm and pressed his feet on the gas pedal thinking it was a drum pedal and crashed his car into the car ahead of him. Farmer’s insurance cited this and other funny incidents it has covered and tagged them with the slogan “We are farmers, we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” -There a very few situations that they have not seen; they know insurance.
Consider the little toad frog that defied the instructions of the bullfrog and played daily with the crocodile. "Son, stay away from the crocodile, he is dangerous," said the old Bullfrog who had been around for a long time. "Nonsense" replied the young toad who played with the crocodile daily. "That may have been true in your day, pop but this crocodile is different. He takes me for rides through the Bayou. I dance on his back and often using it for my diving board." The old bullfrog kept warning him to stay away from that crocodile because he could be dangerous. The young toad felt safe with the crocodile. He knew he was strong and powerful but he wasn't afraid because the crocodile was so gentle when he was around. One day the toad frog came to play. The crocodile was in usually grumpy mood. He would not lay still and his stomach seemed to groan. Suddenly without notice the crocodile open his huge jaws and snapped at the frog who barely got away as he hopped home to his papa the big bull. "Pop, I don't know what got into the crocodile; he snapped at me and almost killed me." The old Bullfrog looked at the little frog and said. "You thought you knew that old croc. You probably did. But what I know that you didn't know, is that when he gets hungry he'll eat little toads like you for an afternoon snack. You don't know a crocodile until you know what he eats for lunch!”
Believers trust God because we have seen him under hundreds of situations. There’s nothing new that we can experience that he has not seen before.
As Christians, we know a thing or two about Christ. We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. We have a history with the Lord that makes us trust him more and more every day.
Exposition
Exposition
This text focuses on King Solomon as he focuses on cycle of creation, noting there is really nothing new that in some form as not been before.
These conclusions were written after Solomon spent a lifetime in search of happiness, trying new things, pastimes, passions, and hobbies. All of them took advantage of the best thinking available during his time, but to the extent that they could provide him with happiness, they had provided the same result.
He studied the stars, partied hard, advanced architecture, building construction and explored music and the arts, all with the same result as those before him. He concluded that each generation tries different things to find happiness, but each one reaches the same conclusion that happiness cannot be achieved through human efforts.
The thing that is, and shall be, is the same with that which has been, and that which shall be done will be but the same with that which is done, for there is no new thing under the sun.
When he speaks of there being nothing new, it is not a reference to a specific invention or creation but rather the fact everything new, once discovered is built on what already exists and is therefore just a extension of what has already. Science discovers truths about animal life, medicines, and the interaction of atoms, etc; all of the principles already exist. New art forms have the same truths about design at its core.
Even new relationships and social norms all have the same human tendencies at their core. Times may change, trends and traditions may change, and mechanical advances may change, but that which is essentially at the core of each area does not change.
Jealousy, love, hate, envy, optimism, pessimism and many other human qualities do not change.
Those who live long lives, as Solomon did, live long enough to see these truths and learn from them. They know a thing or two because they have seen a thing or two.
Those who really want to see anything completely new must look to God for only he can create anything. We can only invent and renovate what he creates.
There is a new thing coming however, John said he saw a “New heaven and new earth” a new creation coming on the horizon of time where old things pass away, and all things become new.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ puts a new song on our lips as we look for the promise of a new world in Christ. It’s a world that we have not seen. It’s a new to eternity, always fresh, always flourishing.
In this world, there is nothing that happens that we have not seen before, it is a renovated version of what we have seen before, but in the kingdom to come we will look forward to that which eye have not seen or ear heard! The glories of God.