15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
15 Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.
15 That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.
15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:15
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:11-15
(Read Ecclesiastes 3:11-15)
Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is short and uncertain; we have but little time to be doing good, therefore we should redeem time. Satisfaction with Divine Providence, is having faith that all things work together for good to them that love him. God doeth all, that men should fear before him. The world, as it has been, is, and will be. There has no change befallen us, nor has any temptation by it taken us, but such as is common to men.