Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” This verse comes in the midst of a poetic passage describing the seasons and rhythms of life. The teacher of Ecclesiastes sees life as a series of opposites – joy and sorrow, birth and death, planting and uprooting. Each season has its place in God’s timing.
So what does this mean? Let’s explore a few key points:
1. God appoints the seasons of life
The phrase “a time to mourn and a time to dance” expresses the idea that there are appointed seasons in life ordained by God. We do not control these seasons. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” God is sovereign over the events of our lives. We cannot predict with certainty when we will experience joy or sorrow. But we can trust that God has purposefully ordained both seasons for our good and His glory.
2. Mourning and dancing are both appropriate in their season
According to this verse, there are appropriate times for expressing grief and lament through mourning, and appropriate times for expressing joy and celebration through dancing. Both mourning and dancing are normal human responses when experienced in their proper time. Grieving is not a permanent state, nor is rejoicing. God invites us to fully engage with the current season, knowing it will pass.
3. Mourning prepares us for comfort
Mourning refers to times of grief, weeping, and lament. Why does God appoint times of mourning? 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Seasons of mourning and weeping prepare our hearts to receive God’s comfort. Then we can extend that comfort to others.
4. Dancing expresses joy and celebration
Dancing was associated with weddings and festivals in the Bible. It was a way to celebrate and express joy, such as when David danced before the Lord when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14). Ecclesiastes reminds us there are appropriate God-ordained times for celebrating, rejoicing, and “dancing” in life. We can freely enjoy these seasons of joy as gifts from God.
5. Learning to transition between seasons
Perhaps the greatest challenge in applying Ecclesiastes 3:4 is learning to transition well between contrasting seasons, mourning to dancing and back again. We must avoid staying perpetually in a state of grief and lament. It’s also unhealthy to pretend to rejoice when we are actually in pain. As we grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us to engage fully with the current season while trusting God’s timing and purposes in bringing that season to an end in due time.
6. Looking ahead to eternal joy
Ultimately as Christians we look ahead to an eternal season of joy, rejoicing, celebration, and “dancing” in God’s presence forever. Revelation 21:4 promises God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Though we experience seasons of mourning on earth, we can take heart that eternity awaits us – the unending season of joyful dancing before Christ’s throne. This eternal perspective infuses our mourning with hope and our dancing with meaning.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 3:4 expresses the cyclical, changing seasons of life under heaven. God in His wisdom appoints both times of mourning and dancing. We are called to enter into each season fully as it comes, trusting God’s sovereignty over our experiences. As we grow in Christ, we develop perseverance in mourning and perspective in dancing, while looking ahead to promised eternal joy.
7. Examples of Mourning and Dancing in the Bible
The Bible contains many stories that illustrate mourning and dancing during the appropriate seasons:
– Jacob mourned intensely when he believed his son Joseph had died (Genesis 37:34-35). Later Jacob’s mourning turned to joy when Joseph revealed himself alive in Egypt (Genesis 46:29).
– Naomi experienced bitter mourning after losing her husband and sons to death and famine. She returned to Bethlehem empty from Moab (Ruth 1:20-21). Yet Naomi’s mourning gave way to joy when Ruth married Boaz, giving Naomi a redeemer and grandchildren.
– Hannah wept and mourned in the temple, anguished in her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:7-10). After God answered her prayer and gave her a son, she danced and rejoiced (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
– David and all Israel mourned the death of King Saul and Jonathan. David composed a lament song in their memory (2 Samuel 1:17-27). Later David danced with excitement when the ark entered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14).
– Jesus and his disciples wept when Lazarus died (John 11:33-35). But mourning turned to joy and belief in Christ’s power when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43).
– The women followers of Jesus mourned his death at the cross. Yet their grief gave way to “fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8) when they saw the empty tomb and heard of Christ’s resurrection.
These examples show how mourning and dancing each have an appropriate God-ordained time and purpose. As we walk with Christ, He will guide us through life’s changing seasons.
8. How Should Christians Approach Mourning?
When we enter seasons of mourning and grief, how should we respond in a God-honoring way? Here are some biblical principles for mourning well as followers of Jesus:
– Be honest about our emotions. God created us with emotional capacity. He is not threatened by raw, honest expressions of grief and pain. The Psalms are full of laments.
– Take our sorrow to God. Pour out your heart to Him. Ask for comfort only He can give (Psalm 62:8).
– Allow community support. Don’t isolate. Accept care and comfort from the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
– Hope in resurrection. As Christians, we grieve knowing death is not the end. Christ’s resurrection ensures eternal life for believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
– Look for redemption. Ask God to work even in our losses for good purpose (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28).
– Avoid despair. Resist spiraling into depression without hope. Set our minds on truth and Christ’s promises (Psalm 43:5).
– Care for our bodies. Grief takes a physical toll. Eat, sleep, exercise in this season.
– Take one day at a time. Don’t try to rush through or shortcut the grieving process. God knows what we need as we walk through it.
9. How Should Christians Approach Dancing and Rejoicing?
Seasons of joy and celebration are also appointed by God. How should we approach dancing, excitement, and rejoicing in a way that honors Christ?
– Rejoice in the Lord. Our joy is properly grounded in who God is and what He has done for us (Philippians 4:4).
– Express gratitude. Remember joy is a gift from God. Cultivate a thankful heart (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
– Celebrate community. Share our joy with other believers. Participate in corporate worship (Psalm 122:1).
– Use freedom carefully. Enjoy Christian liberty in moderation. Be careful of excess (Galatians 5:13).
– Remember the needy. Avoid self-centeredness in rejoicing. Consider how to bless others in this season (Luke 6:24).
– Hold things loosely. Remember seasons change. Don’t cling to the high of excitement, which will fade (Philippians 4:11-12).
– Point to eternity. Let our joy remind us of coming heavenly joy in God’s presence (Jude 24).
– Glorify God. Ensure He remains at the center. Our dancing is ultimately before Him (Psalm 149:3).
10. Finding Balance in Changing Seasons
In a fallen world, we will all face seasons of both mourning and dancing. The teacher in Ecclesiastes 3 calls us to embrace both in their proper time. How do we maintain equilibrium in the changing seasons?
– Anchor in God’s character. He remains constant through life’s ups and downs.
– Trust God’s providence. He knows the seasons we need. Lean into His timing and purposes.
– Refresh perspective. Try to see a bigger picture beyond present circumstances.
– Develop wisdom over time. Learn principles from previous transitions between seasons.
– Remain flexible. Don’t demand or cling to any particular season. Be ready to shift.
– Cultivate gratitude. Thank God in all seasons even when struggling to (1 Thess 5:18).
– Hope in eternity. Set mind on the unending joy to come. Current seasons are temporary.
– Rest in Christ. Know He identifies with our human sorrow and joy. Walk closely with Him through it all.