Solomon keeps trying to find answers without God in his equation. He considers the oppressed, the poor, the dead, and the living. He examines the lazy people and the workaholics. And Koheleth reveals the blessings of companionship. Finally, he illustrates how success does not last.
Just because Solomon tries to find meaning and success apart from God, doesn't mean we should. However, as we examine his words and discoveries, we can learn from his mistakes and revelations.
Read Ecclesiastes Chapter 4
Verses 1-3. It grieved Solomon to see might prevail against right. Wherever we turn, we see melancholy proofs of the wickedness and misery of mankind, who try to create trouble for themselves and to each other. Men are tempted to hate and despise life. But a good man, though badly off while in this world, cannot wish he had never been born. Since he is glorifying the Lord, even in the fires, he will be happy at last, forever happy in Heaven. Ungodly men have most cause to wish the continuance of life with all its vexations, as a far more miserable condition awaits them if they die in their sins. If human and worldly things were our goal, not to exist would be preferable to life, considering the various oppressions here.
To believers, earth is as close to hell as they will see. To unbelievers, earth is as close to Heaven as they will ever see.
Verses 4-6. Some people are lazy while others are worhaholics. The lazy person, seeing the futility of dashing about for success, does little and hurts both himself and those who depend on him. The workaholic can be driven by envy, greed, and a constant desire to stay ahead of everyone else. Both extremes are foolish and irresponsible. The antidote for both is to work hard but with moderation. Take time to enjoy the other gifts God has given, and realize that it is God who gives out the assignments and the rewards, not us. To workaholics, remember that even God rested on the 7th day (Gen. 2:2). To lazy people, remember that God has said (Gen. 3:17), "You will struggle to extract (work) a living from the earth."
Some people need to take a break and rest some, while others should work more. Too much of any one thing is usually bad, unless it's Jesus Christ.
Verses 7-8. Frequently, the more men have, the more they want; and because of this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs. He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes and ego. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they deprive themselves, not only of the favor of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life.
Verses 9-12. Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labors hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all things union tends to increase success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing His praises. So let us improve our opportunities for Christian fellowship. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by His Spirit come to them; then there is a triple-braided cord.
There are advantages to cooperating with others. Life is not designed for isolation, but companionship; not for loneliness, but for intimacy. Some people prefer isolation because they feel they cannot trust anyone. But we are not here on earth to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others. Don't isolate yourself from others and "go it alone." Seek companions; be a team member.
As for service and companionship, God gives us many opportunities to help others. Sometimes He drops someone right under our noses. This is like "money in the bank." Imagine God saying, "Ok, do you want earthly blessings? Do you want eternal rewards? You don't have to drive two hours to visit some prisoners in the mountains, just help out this poor person right in front of you."
Psalm 37:18 reads, "Day by day God sees the good deeds done by Godly men and gives them eternal rewards." This is one of many verses in the Bible that proves there is a kingdom in Heaven. We will receive rewards in Heaven if we've invested our earthly time wisely. This is one thing Solomon did not mention. Although people cannot control what hand they're dealt, they can control what they do with their resources. And they can control what they do with their time (another resource). I heard someone say they had no money to tithe. Then another said, "Tithe 10% of your time."
I don't believe God will say to us in Heaven, "Where is all of your stuff?" But I do believe He will say, "What have you done with what I gave you?" It is not the quantity of things we possess that truly matters, but how we got them and what we did with them.
Remember when Jesus said, "The first shall be last and the last shall be first,"? This reminds me of the freeway. Everyone is breaking the law to get somewhere fast. I know how some of them feel. I used to have to be the fastest driver on the freeway. Nobody could drive faster than me. I would take my sports car in the fast lane and push the pedal to the metal. But what was I accomplishing? Was I worried? Yes. Was I missing out on God's blessing? Yes. Was I being disobedient? Yes. Every problem in the world can be traced back to a sin problem. And all of the things that God has given us can be used for both a good purpose and a bad purpose. My transportation had turned into a sin-mobile.
Fortunately, I drive under the speed limit now. But I can't say that for most of the world. How much faster will they arrive as I will drive 64 miles per hour? Maybe 3 minutes. But I have learned peace and patience. And I have been blessed tremendously! God has changed me because I have listened to Him. The obedient ones will be rewarded. But God doesn't bless disobedience, no matter what your socioeconomic status.
Verses 13-16. People are never satisfied. But the willing servants of the Lord Jesus, our King, rejoice in Him alone, and they will love Him more and more until eternity.
Popularity and prestige are poor goals for a life's work. Although many seek them, they are shadows without substance. They can change quickly, and they are easily forgotten.
This low, long cry for justice that Ecclesiastes voiced was picked up and sounded more strongly and more hopefully by Jesus Christ. The example He set showed us the best way to deal with life's injustices.
Where He could, He not only agonized over what was wrong in life; He did something about it. Think of the Temple money-changers cheating the worshipers in the very place where prayer to the living God was to be offered. Lashing them with whip and tongue, Jesus went after them and turned them out. Where He did not change the situation, as in His crucifixion, He endured the injustice, while praying for those who persecuted Him.
Both acts were deeds of love. His concern for human welfare and for human salvation, prompted Him to firm intervention in one case and to strong intercession in the other.
What He did not do was condone injustice or despair over it. He acted in force and in love. He recognized its wrong and tried to help both those who were inflicting it and those who were afflicted by it.
He was acting as judge in both events. And He has a right to. He is the Father's appointed judge with whom all of us reckon now and will reckon in a day yet to come (Acts 17:31).
Futility was how the old Teacher described a world plagued with injustice. He knew that the systems "under the sun" could not be depended on.
When we see our governments lacking today, remember that this is completely opposite of how God's kingdom will be. The kingdom of Heaven is the only government that will be perfect and just.
We know this, but we know more. We know that God is leading His people beyond futility to a concern for justice in every area of life. More than that, we know personally the Lord who will judge all injustice and see to it that all life's stories have the tidy endings for which we so earnestly yearn.