ECCLESIASTES 4

In chapter 4 of Ecclesiastes Solomon is still looking at the emptiness of life. In verse 1 he compares the oppressed with those who do the oppressing and he sees that neither have a comforter. And he thinkst to himself that the dead are better off because they could neither oppress or be oppressed.  The one who could not witness the evil 'under the sun' was better off in Solomon's eyes.

I looked up the word oppress and Webster's Dictionary has the following meanings: 'To load or burden with imposition; ...to compel to perform unreasonable service. To overpower.' As a Christian, what should our response be to oppression in the world?

We have a comforter! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says:

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Verse 4 begins a look at the travail of the wise and foolish, the laborer and the lazy. We are not to envy our neighbor, it is one of the 10 commandments. We are not in competition to see if we can do better or gain more than the next man. That is pointless and sinful. Our selfish drive to be #1 takes away from God's glory. In comparison, we are also NOT to be lazy. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 tells us if we don't work, we don't eat. It doesn't get more plain. We have to evaluate ourselves. Extremes are foolish, irresponsible, and have consequences that we will leave you empty.

In verse 6 we see what Solomon's view. 'Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.' Proverbs 15:16 (also written by Solomon) says, 'Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.'  What is your drive?  What are your motives? Are you troubled in your spirit? It may be time to evaluate the heart.  We have to keep ourselves in constant check. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us, 'but godliness with contentment is great gain.' Are we doing ALL things for the glory of our Father? Nothing built up 'under the sun' is going to last. Nothing we gain in this world will ever fully satisfy.  We will take NOTHING with us when we go. Those things we can lay up in heaven should have our focus. Let's keep a God focus. Let's not be as the one described in verse 8, 'yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches;''. Solomon describes this as vanity and 'a sore travail'(empty and painful).

In verse 9, we start reading about relationships.  I loved reading verses 9-12. I can relate it to my own life. I lived on my own before my husband and I got married. I know first hand how much better two are than one! We work together to take care of our responsibilities.  It makes the load easier on both of us. We  have always encouraged each other when needed. I have found that there are some tough times that come along with running a business. That foundation we built from the beginning to encourage and uplift have come in so many times along this journey.  When we hit a hard time, it is never both of us ready to give up at the same time. One of us will encourage the other and then the very next week, our roles may be reversed in encouraging the other. We couldn't do it alone. Verse 11 is pretty self explanatory.  We keep each other warm. :) And (vs 12) when it seems something or someone comes against us, we will not be conquered because not only do we have each other, we have Jesus as that 3 cord. Marriage is a beautiful thing!

These same verses can be viewed for friendships as well. There are beautiful friendships portrayed in God's word. Moses and Aaron, David and Jonathon, Ruth and Naomi are just a few. The point is that we are not made to be alone or isolated. We are stronger together.

Verses 13-16 appears to tell a short story of a poor wise child and a foolish king. For some reason the poor wise child had been in prison.  The old king had inherited his own riches and his position as king, and for some reason he became foolish. The foolish king lost it all and the poor wise child became king. He goes on in verses 15 and 16 and makes the point that there is no end of people and while some earn great wealth and build great kingdoms while they are here, when they are gone the wealth, riches, position(or name) gets passed down. Generations to come do not always appreciate the hard work put into the wealth or position gained and they waste it away foolishly.  A reminder that we take NOTHING with us when we go. This is also a warning that things gained without labor will slip quickly through your fingers and leave you empty and troubled in your spirit. Let everything you do be done for the glory of the Lord.