a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
We live in a wheel of nature where one spoke is uppermost, then another; constant ebbing and flowing, waxing and waning. Every change concerning us is fixed by a supreme power, and we cannot alter what is appointed. So in prosperity, be easy yet not secure, humble and even-minded, neither lifted up with hopes nor cast down with fears.
AI summary
Commenting on Ecclesiastes 3:1-10
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together,.... To cast stones out of a field or vineyard where they are hurtful, and to gather them together to make walls and fences of, or build houses with; and may be understood both of throwing down buildings, as the temple of Jerusalem, so that not one stone was left upon another; of...
cast away stones--as out of a garden or vineyard (Isa 5:2). gather--for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building (Eph 2:19-20), and children of Abraham (Mat 3:9); so the restored Jews hereafter (Psa 102:13-14; Zac 9:16). refrain . . . embracing-- (Joe 2:16; Co1 7:5-6).