Lesson 16
Ecclesiastes
The Things That Don't
Work!
4:4-6 Rivalry and envy are often the motivators of life
I have seen (notice that every time
he shifts subjects he says he has made an observation) that every labor and every skill which is done is the
result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and
striving after wind.
- here we have the neg sense - hostile and disruptive emotions in a
relationship also seen in Prov 27:4
Solomon
here is reporting on the observation of the business community of the day.
He
observed a severe rivalry, a competitive determination a dog-eat-dog mentality.
4:5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
- the folding of ones hands describes one who is lazy, a
sluggard having no ambition to achieve anything, shrinking from
competition Prov
6:10-11; 24:33-34
The right course is the balanced one which is expressed in
vs:6 a proverb
4:6 One hand
full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. One hand of contentment and responsible living is
better than life at the top gained by wrong motives.
Prov 15:16-17; 16:8
2. No amount of money, the material details of life, is
able to compensate for CWOL.
3. Pursuing a moderate lifestyle - right balance will not
lead to joy and
contentment, if God and His word are not central in their life.
4:7-12 Relationships in disarray because of greed –
selfishness which leads to isolation and loneliness
1st a general statement
4:7 Then I looked again at vanity (hebel) under the sun.
A specific case caught his attention
4:8 There was a
certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there
was no end to all his labor. (workaholic) Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied
with riches and he never asked, "And for whom am I laboring and
depriving myself of pleasure?" This too is vanity (hebel) and it is a grievous task. (lit.
it is an unhappy business or a miserable business.)
In
4:1-3 saw many who were oppressed and they had no comfort.
In
4:4-6 it is basically one on one in a very competitive intense rivalry - so
much so that they had no rest - no tranquility
In
4:7-12 Solomon
singles out a certain man - one who has
no companions.
Know
what is significant in the progression here?
As
you climb higher up the corporate ladder - this mythical ladder of success, you
get increasingly lonely.... you have fewer and fewer personal contacts.
Here's
a guy who is all alone "having neither son nor a brother".
Never
asks himself if indeed his life is satisfying - meaningful ... just keeps pressing
on up the ladder.
Need
to evaluate your life - your goals - your priorities ... whatever it is
that consumes your thinking and energy - must be agonizingly honest and
objective with yourself. Make the evaluation IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY.
- warning regarding greed Lk 12:15
If we come up lacking when then we need to change our
priorities!!
- Mt 6:19-21 Asks the
question where is your treasure.
- Mt
- Ps
4:9-12 Solomon gives us the contrast here to the
loner. Pushing to the top with some
proverbs related to companionship….point out the great value in life of
companionship or we could subtitle this "Not good for man to be
alone"
4:9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for
their labor.
- We gain perspective by having someone else with us, We gain objectivity, we gain courage in threatening
situations. Having others around tempers dogmatism and softens our intolerance.
For if
either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.
- We'd like to think we're independent, survivors,
winners, we're tough but Solomon is telling us here NOT SO - your going to need
help, your
going to need a companion.
But woe (sounds a strong warning – a warning of peril
or danger ahead) to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him
up.
Furthermore, if two lie down
together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
- We need someone when we're exposed - vulnerable to
provide us support.
And if one can overpower him
who is alone, two can resist him.