Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

During Solomon's search for meaning he saw oppression and it bothered him tremendously.  It all seemed so senseless.  Looking at those oppressed, Solomon saw they had no one to be their comforter.  They were at the mercy of those who held their power over them.  He concluded that the oppressed who had passed on had to be happier than those who remained under oppression.  Yet, those who were never born into the oppression are better than both, they never experienced it. 

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Those who escaped oppression by toil and skill rise up because of envy.  They long for what someone else has.  This is a destructive waste of life because it will never end.  It's a meaningless pursuit that can't be completed or won.

Laziness is destructive and sinful.  It's a refusal to work.  Yet, greed and envy are just as destructive because there is no enjoyment in the work.  It's chasing wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Solomon saw the wealthy man who was never content with what he had.  He chased after more and more; never taking a wife, having a family.  This man made it his life's work to pursue wealth; it was a miserable, meaningless and futile life.  This man chose loneliness and wealth, hoping to find purpose.  But the pursuit was relentless, never ending and never yielding enough to share with others.  Solomon speaks regarding this lonely, isolated life and fruitless pursuit.  Working with someone is better than alone.

1. There is some satisfaction in working with someone; sense of accomplishment and teamwork.  Each accepting and respecting the work of the other.
2. With two workers, one is there to pick up the other should he fall.  The lonely worker may die in a pit or starve to death unable to walk away from a fall.
3. In the cold, they may share body heat.  Sharing your work with your spouse if finitely more infinitely more interesting and practical. 
4. Toiling with another allows the two to help protect each other; three is even better.  (Husband, wife and God; or possibly Husband, wife and son.)  The threefold cord was a proverb of that day.

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

Solomon offers a proverb in verse 13; he saw more meaning in a poor, wise youth than an old, foolish king.  The youth was blessed to be born into this life of wisdom instead of being born into the kingdom.  It seems as though Solomon might have been talking about his father, King David, and King Saul, the foolish king he would succeed.  The wisdom of the youth and the great following did nothing to help him when those he ruled despised him.

©2018 Doug Ford