Solomon lists 28 activities to symbolise the whole cycle of life, illustrating the universal principle: there is a time and a season appointed by God for every happening in life.
The poem begins and ends on a positive note (“a time to be born” v.2; “a time for peace” v.8). In between, while both the negative and positive aspects of life are given equal time, the subtle shaping of the poem seems to favour the positive and suggests that the book comes from a teacher of joy, not of sorrow.
God has given humans some sense of eternity, yet as creatures of time, we can’t fully understand it. But God, who alone is eternal, controls all things from beginning to the end. Therefore, rather than be frustrated, we should humbly submit to God’s plan, give thanks, and do good.
Solomon is not saying “Don’t worry be happy!” or pushing mindless positivity. He is inviting us to trust God— to place our faith in a good God, not blind “faith in faith”.
Solomon noted the evil and injustice in the world, but expressed confidence that God would, in his own time, judge all things. Till then, however, humans sometimes seem no better than animals, with both breathing the same air, eating the same food, and dying similar deaths.
These verses may seem controversial and contradictory to the rest of the Bible because they appear to deny the hope of eternal life. What they actually deny is that people within themselves have the power to transcend death. Our only hope is entirely in Christ’s resurrection. Therefore, these verses should drive Christians closer to Christ. Ecclesiastes wants us to take death seriously, so we would use well our time here, and cling to God for salvation.
“The best fate? To have never been born!” is hyperbole. Solomon’s use of exaggeration is an emphatic way to state the pervasive and grievous reality of corruption under the sun.