When I wrote my commentary on Ecclesiastes A Table in the Mist I
took Eccl. 11:1-2 as a reference to the risk of international
trade. It sure did seem to me like a reference to Solomon’s
risky trade with other nations. Israel exported grain (bread)
and Solomon’s ships returned to him with rich cargoes (1 Kings
5:1-12). This seems to fit with the theme of chapter 11. Solomon
is issuing a call to be boldly generous and lavishly good to our
neighbors. But now I wonder if there’s another way to understand
these verses. Cast your bread into the waters, for you will find
it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen in the land. Michael
Homan believes that Solomon is advocating the brewing and
serving of beer (“Beer Production by Throwing Bread into Water:
A New Interpretation of Qoh IX.1-2,” Vestus Testamentum 52:2 :
275-278). This looks really promising. First, there are all the
references in Ecclesiastes to wine. Solomon advises godly folk
to “drink wine