Solomon describes the vanity of loneliness: “There is one alone, and there is not a second… yet is there no end of all his labour.” The wealthy man has no companion and no satisfaction. In contrast, “two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” A companion can lift up the fallen, provide warmth, and defend against danger, and “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Part 1 of 3 We are continuing our study of the book of Ecclesiastes and have arrived at Chapter 4 verses 4 to 16, which we will cover in three articles. The numbers zero, one, two and three (or at least the concept behind those numbers) all feature in this passage. For example, we see […]
Part 3 of 3 In our last two articles on Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3, we looked at two problems, which the preacher observed in this world, namely, the problem of injustice and the problem of oppression. A third problem emerged when viewing these things from an unbelieving viewpoint, even the problem of uncertainty about the future and […]
The preacher considers “all the oppressions that are done under the sun” and sees the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter. Power rests on the side of the oppressors, and there is none to deliver. In his despair, he concludes that it is better to be dead than alive, and even better never to have been born, than to witness such evil and injustice.
Solomon observes that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is iniquity. Though he briefly affirms that “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked,” he soon sinks back into despair, declaring that “all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” From the under-the-sun perspective, man has no preeminence above a beast, and life seems marked by injustice, uncertainty, and meaninglessness.
Solomon teaches that life is to be enjoyed as a gift from God and that true joy and satisfaction come from His hand. God’s works endure forever, and He orders all events so that men may fear Him. Though life repeats itself through the seasons of time, these are not meaningless cycles, for everything serves God’s purpose. Our true security and stability are found in God alone, and only in Jesus Christ can we find hope, meaning, and peace amid the passing of time.
Solomon presents two responses to God’s ordering of time. The skeptic asks, “What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?” But the believer acknowledges the task God has given and finds comfort in this truth: God has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has set eternity in our hearts. Though life is unfathomable, believers can live with joy and purpose, knowing that God is in absolute control.
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Solomon is not prescribing what we should do, but describing what happens in life. Every event and activity occurs according to a predetermined plan and at its appointed time. Many of these seasons are beyond our control, reminding us that we are not the masters of our own fate, but live under God’s sovereign ordering of time.
Solomon observes that wisdom excels folly, yet the same event happens to both the wise and the fool. Death comes to all, and even the successful and pre-eminent are soon forgotten. He then turns to hard work and labour and concludes that all his toil must be left to another who did not labour for it. “For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief… This also is vanity.” Success, pre-eminence, and labour bring no lasting satisfaction.
Solomon withheld not his heart from any joy and possessed everything that his eyes desired—houses, gardens, riches, pleasures, and delights of every kind. Yet even while guided by wisdom, he concluded, “behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Wealth, riches, and pleasure brought no true or lasting satisfaction.
