Ecclesiastes 1:5

Letters to the Faithful - Ecclesiastes 1:5

Berean Standard Bible

The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises.

King James Bible

The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

Hebrew Text:

וְזָרַ֥ח הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ וּבָ֣א הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ וְאֶ֨ל־מְקוֹמֹ֔ו שׁוֹאֵ֛ף זֹורֵ֥חַֽ ה֖וּא שָֽׁם׃

Transliteration:

V'zarach ha-shemesh u'va ha-shemesh v'el-m'komo sho'ef zoreach hu sham

--------------------------------

The sun rises

This phrase reflects the natural order established by God in creation, as seen in Genesis 1:14-19, where God created the sun to govern the day. The rising of the sun is a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and the consistency of His creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sun was often associated with deities, but in the biblical worldview, it is a created entity serving God's purposes. The regularity of the sunrise symbolizes the reliability of God's promises, as seen in Lamentations 3:22-23, where His mercies are described as new every morning.

and the sun sets;

The setting of the sun marks the end of the day, a cycle that has continued since creation. This cycle is a metaphor for the transient nature of human life and endeavors, a central theme in Ecclesiastes. The setting sun also signifies rest and the completion of daily labor, echoing the biblical principle of Sabbath rest found in Genesis 2:2-3. In a broader theological sense, the setting sun can symbolize the end of an era or the closing of a chapter in God's redemptive history, as seen in the prophetic literature where the "day of the Lord" is often depicted with cosmic disturbances (e.g., Joel 2:31).

it hurries back to where it rises.

This phrase captures the cyclical nature of the sun's journey, emphasizing the repetitive and seemingly monotonous patterns of life under the sun. The Hebrew word for "hurries" suggests a sense of urgency or weariness, reflecting the futility and toil experienced in a fallen world. This cycle can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition post-Fall, where labor and toil are part of the curse (Genesis 3:17-19). Theologically, this cycle points to the need for redemption and the hope of a new creation where such futility is overcome, as promised in Revelation 21:1-5. The sun's return to its starting point can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, after completing His work on earth, returned to the Father, yet promises to return again (Acts 1:11).

-------------------------------

Beloved in the Lord, grace and peace be unto you all, as we gather in the light of divine wisdom to ponder the sacred words bestowed upon us through the pen of the Preacher, inspired by the Spirit of God. I write to you, not as one who possesses all understanding, but as a fellow pilgrim, stirred by the eternal truths found in the Book of Ecclesiastes, particularly in the fifth verse of the first chapter, which declares, “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.” Let us, with humble hearts and open minds, meditate upon this profound utterance, for in its simplicity lies a depth that speaks to the soul’s longing, the heart’s restlessness, and the eternal purposes of our Creator.

Consider, dear friends, the sun in its ceaseless journey, rising each morning with radiant glory, painting the heavens with hues of gold and crimson, only to descend in the evening, yielding to the quiet embrace of night. Day after day, without fail, it traces its appointed path, hastening back to the place from whence it came, as if eager to fulfill its ordained course. What does this teach us, O people of God? The Preacher, in his God-given wisdom, sets before us a mirror of the created order, a testimony to the rhythms of life that unfold under the sovereign hand of the Almighty. The sun’s rising and setting is no mere repetition, no vain cycle devoid of meaning, but a parable woven into the fabric of creation, calling us to discern the handiwork of Him who is from everlasting to everlasting.

Let us first behold the faithfulness of God reflected in this verse. The sun, obedient to its Maker’s decree, never falters in its course. It does not grow weary, nor does it stray from its path. Is this not a reflection of the unchanging nature of our God, who declares through the prophet Malachi, “I am the Lord, I change not”? In a world where all things seem to shift—where empires rise and fall, where human plans dissolve like mist, where our own hearts waver in their resolves—the sun’s steadfast journey proclaims the constancy of God’s providence. Each dawn is a promise kept, each dusk a testimony to His enduring faithfulness. O beloved, when your soul is troubled by the uncertainties of life, when you stand amidst the tempests of trial or the shadows of doubt, lift your eyes to the heavens and remember the sun’s unerring path. It speaks of a God who is faithful, who sustains the universe by the word of His power, and who upholds you, His cherished creation, with an everlasting love.

Yet, let us also consider the Preacher’s tone, for Ecclesiastes does not merely celebrate the order of creation but probes the heart’s response to it. The sun rises and sets, and rises again, and to the Preacher, this cycle might seem, at first glance, a mark of vanity, a wearisome repetition that underscores the fleeting nature of all things under the sun. “What profit hath a man of all his labour?” he asks elsewhere, and we may echo this question as we observe the relentless march of days. Do we not sometimes feel the weight of this rhythm, as if our own lives, like the sun’s circuit, are caught in an endless loop of striving without lasting gain? The laborer toils, the scholar studies, the dreamer hopes, yet the sun rises and sets upon all alike, and the earth abides forever. Herein lies a challenge to our souls: to see beyond the surface of life’s cycles and to seek the eternal purpose that transcends them.

O brothers and sisters, the sun’s journey is not a tale of futility but an invitation to wisdom. The Preacher, under the inspiration of God, does not lead us to despair but to discernment. The sun hastens to its place, not out of compulsion, but in harmony with the divine will. So too are we called to align our lives with the purposes of our Creator. The cycles of life—our joys and sorrows, our beginnings and endings—are not meaningless, for they unfold under the gaze of Him who makes all things beautiful in His time. The sun’s obedience to its course reminds us that our own lives find meaning when surrendered to the One who set the stars in their places and calls them each by name. Let us, therefore, cease striving after that which is vain—after fleeting pleasures, empty ambitions, or the illusion of self-sufficiency—and seek instead the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.

Moreover, let this verse stir us to gratitude. How often do we, in our busyness, overlook the gift of each new day? The sun’s rising is a daily miracle, a canvas of grace painted afresh by the hand of God. It is a call to worship, to rise with the dawn and offer our hearts in thanksgiving for the breath in our lungs, the strength in our limbs, and the hope of salvation that shines brighter than the morning star. The sun’s setting, too, is a gift, bidding us rest in the assurance that our God neither slumbers nor sleeps. As the psalmist sings, “The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.” Let us, then, cultivate hearts of praise, giving thanks for the ordinary mercies that testify to an extraordinary God.

Yet, let us not ignore the somber note that Ecclesiastes strikes, for it is a book that gazes unflinchingly at life’s transience. The sun’s cycle, while beautiful, reminds us of our own mortality. Our days, like the sun’s, are numbered; we rise, we labor, we rest, and we return to the dust from whence we came. This truth, far from crushing us, should awaken us to live with intentionality. If the sun hastens to its place, fulfilling its purpose without delay, how much more should we, who are made in the image of God, run with perseverance the race set before us? Let us redeem the time, loving deeply, serving humbly, and proclaiming the gospel boldly. For while the sun’s course is bound to the heavens, our lives are bound to eternity, and through Christ, we are heirs of a kingdom that shall never fade.

Finally, beloved, let us see in the sun’s rising and setting a shadow of the greater Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the true light that shines in the darkness, the Dayspring from on high who has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness. Like the sun, He arose in glory, triumphing over the grave; like the sun, He will return, hastening to establish His kingdom in fullness. The cycles of this world, though they seem endless, are but a prelude to the eternal day when God will wipe away every tear. Until that day, let the sun’s faithful course remind us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

And so, dear friends, I exhort you: live as those who know the One who holds all things together. Let the sun’s rising inspire you to rise daily in devotion to God. Let its setting teach you to rest in His grace. And let its hastening to its place urge you to press on toward the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus. May the God of all wisdom grant you understanding, and may His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds. I commend you to His unfailing love, now and forevermore. Amen.

------------------------------------

O Eternal and Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is unsearchable and whose faithfulness endures to all generations, we, Your humble servants, gather before Your throne of grace, lifting our hearts in adoration and supplication, inspired by the sacred words of Your servant, the Preacher, in Ecclesiastes, where it is written, “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.” With awe and reverence, we meditate upon this truth, beholding in the sun’s ceaseless journey a reflection of Your unchanging glory, and we beseech You, O God, to hear our prayer as we seek Your face on behalf of all Your people, scattered across the earth, united by Your Spirit.

We praise You, O Lord, for Your steadfast love, manifested in the daily rising of the sun, a radiant herald of Your covenant faithfulness. Each dawn proclaims Your mercy, each beam of light testifies to Your sustaining power, which upholds the universe by the word of Your command. We stand in wonder at the obedience of the sun, hastening to its appointed place, never faltering in its course, a living parable of Your immutable nature. O God, who changes not, we confess our gratitude for the rhythms of creation, which speak of Your providence and care. Grant us eyes to see and hearts to cherish the gift of each new day, that we may rise with songs of thanksgiving, offering our lives as a sacrifice of praise to You, the Giver of all good things.

Yet, O merciful Father, we acknowledge the frailty of our human condition, for the Preacher’s words also stir in us an awareness of life’s fleeting cycles. The sun rises and sets, and our days pass swiftly under its light, reminding us of our mortality and the vanity of striving after that which perishes. We confess, O Lord, that too often we have chased after fleeting pleasures, labored for empty ambitions, and grown weary in the repetitions of this earthly pilgrimage. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Align our hearts with Your eternal purposes, that we may hasten, like the sun, to fulfill the calling You have placed upon us, living not for what is seen but for what is unseen, eternal, and true.

We lift before You, O God, all who dwell under the sun’s light—Your children in every nation, tribe, and tongue. For those who awaken to sorrow, whose hearts are heavy with grief or burdened by trial, we pray that the rising sun may be a sign of Your nearness, a reminder that You are the God who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. For those who labor under oppression, who cry out for justice and deliverance, let the sun’s faithful course declare Your promise to make all things right in Your appointed time. For those who wander in darkness, far from Your truth, we beseech You to send forth the light of Your gospel, that they may behold the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the true Light who shines in the darkness and is not overcome.

O Lord of hosts, we pray for Your Church, the body of Your beloved Son, scattered yet united by Your Spirit. As the sun hastens to its place, so inspire Your people to run with perseverance the race set before us. Fill us with zeal to proclaim Your kingdom, courage to stand firm in faith, and love to serve one another humbly. Guard us from despair when the cycles of life seem wearisome, and renew our strength, that we may mount up with wings like eagles, walking and not fainting, ever trusting in Your unchanging grace. May the daily setting of the sun teach us to rest in You, casting all our cares upon You, for You care for us with an everlasting love.

We intercede, O God, for the world You have made, groaning under the weight of sin yet sustained by Your hand. As the sun’s light touches every corner of the earth, so let Your compassion flow to those in need. Provide for the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the lonely, and guide the lost. Raise up leaders who fear Your name, who govern with justice and mercy, reflecting Your righteous rule. And in Your mercy, O Lord, bring peace where there is strife, healing where there is division, and hope where there is despair, that all may see in the created order a glimpse of Your eternal kingdom.

Above all, O Holy One, we lift our voices in worship of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, who has risen with healing in His wings. His resurrection has shattered the darkness of death, and His return will usher in the day when every tear shall be wiped away. Until that glorious dawn, let the sun’s rising and setting remind us to fix our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. May His light shine through us, that we may be beacons of hope in a world that longs for redemption.

Hear us now, O God, as we offer this prayer in the name of Your Son, our Savior, who taught us to seek Your kingdom and to trust Your will. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, weave our lives into the tapestry of Your eternal purposes, that we may glorify You in all things. To You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor, glory, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.