Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

Evil Under the Sun

Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Those that are oppressed constantly by evil rulers in authority seemingly have no comforters but their oppression continues. The thought here is that death for them is better than being among the living.

It may look that way for a while but now through Jesus we have a comforter. The Holy Spirit is given as a helper, comforter, teacher, and much more throughout the lifetime of a true genuine believer in Jesus Christ. This life still may have its problems and sorrows but there awaits such goodness for those that stay faithful to God. In the end is joy forever more which in reality is never ending.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Trials, troubles, tribulation, persecution and sorrows are temporary for the believer in Jesus but oh my what joy awaits those that stay faithful to Him.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

If one is childless and alone, it is a sad way to live. Those that live foolishly are really alone and miserable. Even those working good might be envied and even hated for it. Envying a neighbor that seems to have it all together causes others to be jealous. All these words of Solomon's would be depressing if not for the joy that living for the Lord brings.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I wonder if that is why so many kings have multiple wives. They are afraid of being alone? I had a conversation with a relative recently who discribed her life as a child growing up in the country of West Virginia. She said when anyone had trouble like something breaking down or other needs, neighbors would always come around and help. They would always help each other. That would be a great way to live. I've heard that the Amish people live that way. A barn burns down and everyone comes to help rebuild.

Ecclesiastes 4:13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Surely it is true that if one is rich and is made king surrounded by nothing but wealth but has no joy and gladness, it is better to be among the poor that are thankful for what little they have.

Most kings that arose to power after Solomon fell away from God except for a few that remained faithful. The kingdom split in half after his death. 10 tribes of Israel becoming the northern kingdom and 2 tribes becoming the kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom fell because of idolatry and forsaking God. The southern kingdom lasted a little longer until the invasion by Babylon. All this didn't have to be but it did fulfill scripture to set up the atmosphere that ushered in the first coming of Jesus when God the Son became a human person to bring us a way out of all this mess. The first coming is to take care of the sin problem which causes all the misery in the earth and His second coming will bring an end to sin after His reign of 1000 years to show mankind how to live in righteousness.

However to those that turn to lives over to Jesus now, we can enjoy that righteousness now and be part of His kingdom to come. -DC

Ecclesiastes Chapter 5