Seasons and Times

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecc 3.1

In this verse, these two words are used together. They appear to have the same meaning, but if they do, why use both words? Because both are used, they must have different meanings. A “season” is a set time, an appointed time. A “time” is a fit or a proper time.

We know that events have seasons. Spring follows winter, adolescence follows childhood, and knowledge follows study. Some seasons follow a cycle and repeat, like the seasons of the year or the days of the week. Other seasons follow a growth pattern: birth, childhood, adulthood, age, death. Seasons are set in time because there is a proper length for each event. Seeds take a certain number of days to germinate. Winter comes to an end when spring warms the weather.

But a “time” refers to an event that lasts the correct amount of time, where one event replaces the previous one at the proper time. If you are a farmer, it is important that spring replaces winter at the proper time, and that summer has the proper amount of rain and sun. A child should grow into adulthood neither too soon nor too late. If the growth season is improper for the crops or for the child, the maturity of the product will be stunted or damaged.

The verses that follow the one above all use “time” but not “season”, because there is a proper time for all these events, not just a season when they occur. There is a proper time for birth, death, planting, harvesting, weeping, mourning, laughter, dance.

Trust in him at all times;
ye people, pour out your heart before him:
God is a refuge for us. Ps 62.8