Solomon teaches that it is “good and comely… to enjoy the good of all his labour… which God giveth him: for it is his portion.” Yet he also observes a man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honour, “yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof… this is vanity.” True joy is not found in wealth itself, but in God who gives both the gift and the ability to enjoy it.
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver… this is also vanity.” Solomon shows that the increase of wealth does not bring satisfaction, for the more a man has, the more he desires, the more burdens he bears, and the less rest he enjoys, for “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it… better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” Solomon teaches that careless words and unfulfilled promises bring sin and judgment. True worship requires sincerity, obedience, and the fear of God, for “in the multitude of words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.”
“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.
