“Be not rash with thy mouth… therefore let thy words be few.” Solomon teaches that we must be careful and thoughtful in our speech before God, remembering that He is in heaven and we are upon earth. A few sincere and reverent words are far better than many careless and empty ones, for “a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.”
“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God… and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools.” True worship involves coming thoughtfully and reverently to hear the Word of God and to obey it. Those who engage only in outward worship without heart and obedience offer sacrifices that are evil and offensive to God.
Solomon shows the meaninglessness of political success through the rise and fall of kings: a wise youth replaces a foolish king, yet he too is later replaced. Popularity fades, and those who come after do not rejoice in him. “Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.” True meaning is not found in power or fame, but in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
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.
