4:1
Ecclesiastes 4:1 HCSB Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.
I observed. A superficial reading of this chapter may lead us to think it a disjointed collection of random proverbs unless we understand what it is that Qoheleth is "observing." Here he considers the futility of six different types of human relations:
(1) The oppressor and the oppressed (vv. 1)
(2) The living, the dead, and the unborn (vv. 2-3)
(3) Competing friends (vv. 4-6)
(4) The lone workaholic (vv. 7-8)
(5) Cooperating friends (vv. 9-12) By the way this is the only positive example he gives.
(6) The poor but wise vs. the rich but foolish (v. 13-16)
All...no one. (cp. 3:16) The universal, categorical language has to be understood as painting the picture with broad strokes. It should be taken as indicative of how endemic the problem is, rather than as an explicit statement of absolute fact. It is similar to the Proverb that says:
Obviously, we all know of godly parents who have had wicked children and wicked parents who have had godly children (can you say Terah and Abraham? Genesis 11:27; Joshua 24:2). However, raising a child up in the Way gives them the TENDENCY toward righteousness, just as raising a child up spoiled and materialistic or exposed to alcohol, gives them the TENDENCY toward the same.
Here in 4:1, Qoheleth recognizes the universality of injustice. Obviously, there are pockets of righteousness and justice here and there, but in comparison to the big picture, human history is a sordid list of terrible crimes against humanity.
The futility of oppression is that it offers no long term advantage to the oppressor. The people hate him and the more he raises his personal security walls, the more disconnected he becomes and the more the people hate him. It's a never-ending cycle. Witness the lonely end of Adolph Hitler or the luxurious prison of Kim Il Sung's solitude. Both Hitler in his bunker and Kim in his palace are equally useless and foolish.
The futility of allowing ourselves to be oppressed in the name of "civil obedience" is that it does not lead anywhere healthy or good. Our cowardice will result in the suffering of untold generations. Then, when we die, we will stand before the judgment of God who will ask us for an accounting of the liberties and opportunities that He gave us. This is one of many reasons why Adonaists do not adhere to blind obedience to the government or meek submission to oppression and injustice.
I observed. A superficial reading of this chapter may lead us to think it a disjointed collection of random proverbs unless we understand what it is that Qoheleth is "observing." Here he considers the futility of six different types of human relations:
(1) The oppressor and the oppressed (vv. 1)
(2) The living, the dead, and the unborn (vv. 2-3)
(3) Competing friends (vv. 4-6)
(4) The lone workaholic (vv. 7-8)
(5) Cooperating friends (vv. 9-12) By the way this is the only positive example he gives.
(6) The poor but wise vs. the rich but foolish (v. 13-16)
All...no one. (cp. 3:16) The universal, categorical language has to be understood as painting the picture with broad strokes. It should be taken as indicative of how endemic the problem is, rather than as an explicit statement of absolute fact. It is similar to the Proverb that says:
- Proverbs 22:6 HCSB Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Obviously, we all know of godly parents who have had wicked children and wicked parents who have had godly children (can you say Terah and Abraham? Genesis 11:27; Joshua 24:2). However, raising a child up in the Way gives them the TENDENCY toward righteousness, just as raising a child up spoiled and materialistic or exposed to alcohol, gives them the TENDENCY toward the same.
Here in 4:1, Qoheleth recognizes the universality of injustice. Obviously, there are pockets of righteousness and justice here and there, but in comparison to the big picture, human history is a sordid list of terrible crimes against humanity.
The futility of oppression is that it offers no long term advantage to the oppressor. The people hate him and the more he raises his personal security walls, the more disconnected he becomes and the more the people hate him. It's a never-ending cycle. Witness the lonely end of Adolph Hitler or the luxurious prison of Kim Il Sung's solitude. Both Hitler in his bunker and Kim in his palace are equally useless and foolish.
The futility of allowing ourselves to be oppressed in the name of "civil obedience" is that it does not lead anywhere healthy or good. Our cowardice will result in the suffering of untold generations. Then, when we die, we will stand before the judgment of God who will ask us for an accounting of the liberties and opportunities that He gave us. This is one of many reasons why Adonaists do not adhere to blind obedience to the government or meek submission to oppression and injustice.
4:2-3
Better off dead by Mike Irwin
Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 HCSB So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. (3) But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.
I admired the dead. From Qoheleth's "under the sun" perspective, at least there would be an end to suffering and oppression. At least they would have escaped the cruel hands of their oppressors. Unfortunately, this thought process prevails in our society. We begin by wanting to grant death on our own terms and then move on to granting death on the family's terms, to the doctor's terms, to society's terms, to euthanizing the intellectually challenged, to abortion...we become a society that is characterized by preferring death over life. This is the natural outcome of turning our backs on El Ch'aim, the God of Life.
Better...the one who has not yet existed. This thought, that the unborn are to be envied more than the dead or the living, is repeated in 6:3 (cp Job 3:3-16). Apparently, neither Qoheleth nor Job mean someone who was never even conceived but one who was never delivered to term. This would agree with David's assessment,
I admired the dead. From Qoheleth's "under the sun" perspective, at least there would be an end to suffering and oppression. At least they would have escaped the cruel hands of their oppressors. Unfortunately, this thought process prevails in our society. We begin by wanting to grant death on our own terms and then move on to granting death on the family's terms, to the doctor's terms, to society's terms, to euthanizing the intellectually challenged, to abortion...we become a society that is characterized by preferring death over life. This is the natural outcome of turning our backs on El Ch'aim, the God of Life.
Better...the one who has not yet existed. This thought, that the unborn are to be envied more than the dead or the living, is repeated in 6:3 (cp Job 3:3-16). Apparently, neither Qoheleth nor Job mean someone who was never even conceived but one who was never delivered to term. This would agree with David's assessment,
- 2 Samuel 12:22-23 HCSB He answered, "While the baby was alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.' (23) But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I'll go to him, but he will never return to me."
4:4
Ecclesiastes 4:4 HCSB I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man's jealousy of his friend. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Due to...jealousy. We've all seen it, the attempt to "keep up with the Jones." We even see it among family members! Joe gets a big car so Bill gets a truck. John sees Bill's truck and buys a bigger truck. Joe trades his car in for the same truck but with more chrome. A lot of the most skilled work is simply developed to feed this sickness. Think of all the work done on expensive diamond rings or the commissioned art and consider how much of it was done purely for beauty and art's sake.
Such artistic endeavors are not a waste. It is the sickness that drives much of it that's a waste. If the same art work or the labor could be done with kavanah it would be a thing of great spiritual beauty!
(Kavanah: Intense mental concentration or emotional devotion in the utterance of a prayer or during the performance of a mitzvah.)
Jealousy. The noun here is qinah which can be translated as envy, jealousy, rivalry, competition or even animosity.
Due to...jealousy. We've all seen it, the attempt to "keep up with the Jones." We even see it among family members! Joe gets a big car so Bill gets a truck. John sees Bill's truck and buys a bigger truck. Joe trades his car in for the same truck but with more chrome. A lot of the most skilled work is simply developed to feed this sickness. Think of all the work done on expensive diamond rings or the commissioned art and consider how much of it was done purely for beauty and art's sake.
Such artistic endeavors are not a waste. It is the sickness that drives much of it that's a waste. If the same art work or the labor could be done with kavanah it would be a thing of great spiritual beauty!
(Kavanah: Intense mental concentration or emotional devotion in the utterance of a prayer or during the performance of a mitzvah.)
Jealousy. The noun here is qinah which can be translated as envy, jealousy, rivalry, competition or even animosity.
4:5
Ecclesiastes 4:5 HCSB The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.
Fool folds his arms. In other places, the fool doesn't even roast his own game (Proverbs 12:27); won't even bother to bring his hand back from the bowl to feed himself (Proverbs 19:24; 26:15).
Only a fool would choose to do NOTHING. Procrastination and laziness is universally reviled in the Scriptures. But equally cursed are those who see evil and do nothing.
Consumes his own flesh. That is, he is eaten up with envy but too lazy to actually keep up with his more enterprising friend. As Solomon put it elsewhere, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied." (Proverbs 13:4) Some people are so lazy that they won’t even lift a finger to feed themselves (Proverbs 19:24). They end up destroying themselves - i.e. consuming their own flesh.
The thought is similar to Paul's warning:
Fool folds his arms. In other places, the fool doesn't even roast his own game (Proverbs 12:27); won't even bother to bring his hand back from the bowl to feed himself (Proverbs 19:24; 26:15).
Only a fool would choose to do NOTHING. Procrastination and laziness is universally reviled in the Scriptures. But equally cursed are those who see evil and do nothing.
- Proverbs 24:10-12 HCSB If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. (11) Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. (12) If you say, "But we didn't know about this," won't He who weighs hearts consider it? Won't He who protects your life know? Won't He repay a person according to his work?
Consumes his own flesh. That is, he is eaten up with envy but too lazy to actually keep up with his more enterprising friend. As Solomon put it elsewhere, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied." (Proverbs 13:4) Some people are so lazy that they won’t even lift a finger to feed themselves (Proverbs 19:24). They end up destroying themselves - i.e. consuming their own flesh.
The thought is similar to Paul's warning:
- 1 Corinthians 6:18 HCSB Flee from sexual immorality! "Every sin a person can commit is outside the body," but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.
4:6
Ecclesiastes 4:6 HCSB Better one handful with rest, than two handfuls with effort and pursuit of the wind.
Better one handful. The traditional proverb warns that laziness will bring poverty (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4-5; 12:11; 13:4; 20:13 etc.) Here Qoheleth runs counter to that traditional view by qualifying true value. The traditional view may lead one to think that material blessings are intrinsically good and may actually become a measuring stick in the minds of the mistaken.
Here, in contrast to the normal view and in agreement with the Messiah, Qoheleth says "a peaceful life is worth far more than the whirlwind, non-stop, A-type pursuit of wealth. As the sons of Korah told us, The Lord will declare peace to His people, His godly ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways...righteousness and peace will embrace (Psalm 85:8, 10b).
Effort. He's not saying all effort is bad. Elsewhere we are commanded to work hard with our own hands, to provide for our families, to study hard to show ourselves to be approved workers. He's stating that effort in the pursuit of the wind (i.e. useless business for "under the sun" goals is ridiculous and vain. Qoheleth is presenting three different views of work: (1) the workaholic (4:4), (2) the lazy loser (4:5), and the contented worker who gives us the balanced view of work (4:6).
Pursuit of the wind. See also 1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 5:16; 6:9
Better one handful. The traditional proverb warns that laziness will bring poverty (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4-5; 12:11; 13:4; 20:13 etc.) Here Qoheleth runs counter to that traditional view by qualifying true value. The traditional view may lead one to think that material blessings are intrinsically good and may actually become a measuring stick in the minds of the mistaken.
- The scoffing Pharisees - Luke 16:14
- The rich man who ignored the poverty right at his footstep - Luke 16:19-23
- The rich young ruler - Luke 18:22-23
- Judas Iscariot - John 12:4-6
Here, in contrast to the normal view and in agreement with the Messiah, Qoheleth says "a peaceful life is worth far more than the whirlwind, non-stop, A-type pursuit of wealth. As the sons of Korah told us, The Lord will declare peace to His people, His godly ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways...righteousness and peace will embrace (Psalm 85:8, 10b).
Effort. He's not saying all effort is bad. Elsewhere we are commanded to work hard with our own hands, to provide for our families, to study hard to show ourselves to be approved workers. He's stating that effort in the pursuit of the wind (i.e. useless business for "under the sun" goals is ridiculous and vain. Qoheleth is presenting three different views of work: (1) the workaholic (4:4), (2) the lazy loser (4:5), and the contented worker who gives us the balanced view of work (4:6).
Pursuit of the wind. See also 1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 5:16; 6:9
4:7-8
Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 HCSB Again, I saw futility under the sun: (8) There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "So who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself from good?" This too is futile and a miserable task.
Without a companion. Every age has struggled with these human issues, but I think that the 1990s through the early 2000s in the United States could be used as a prime example of this type of misplaced priorities. To work all day, every day; to practically live on the job and then return to an empty home with old pizza boxes in the refrigerator and no messages on the answering machine from any one who loves you - what a waste.
His eyes. "Eye" is a synecdoche of part for the whole. In other words, the eye stands in as a symbol for the whole person interacting with their environment. This explains Jesus' meaning when He said,
He asks. Yet, he continues on in the same path and the same direction. How many today feel the uselessness, the disconnectedness and bleakness of their lives and yet continue doing the same thing anyway? Someone once said "It is insane to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.
Depriving myself. The term used is the Hebrew nephesh, the soul. He literally says, "Why am I depriving my soul in this useless way?"
Without a companion. Every age has struggled with these human issues, but I think that the 1990s through the early 2000s in the United States could be used as a prime example of this type of misplaced priorities. To work all day, every day; to practically live on the job and then return to an empty home with old pizza boxes in the refrigerator and no messages on the answering machine from any one who loves you - what a waste.
His eyes. "Eye" is a synecdoche of part for the whole. In other words, the eye stands in as a symbol for the whole person interacting with their environment. This explains Jesus' meaning when He said,
- Matthew 6:22-23 HCSB "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. (23) But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness--how deep is that darkness!
He asks. Yet, he continues on in the same path and the same direction. How many today feel the uselessness, the disconnectedness and bleakness of their lives and yet continue doing the same thing anyway? Someone once said "It is insane to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome.
Depriving myself. The term used is the Hebrew nephesh, the soul. He literally says, "Why am I depriving my soul in this useless way?"
4:9-12
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 HCSB Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. (10) For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. (11) Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? (12) And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Two are better. This illustration seems to go back to Sumerian literature of the late 3rd millennium BC. Interestingly, friendship is the one thing that Qoheleth never identifies as futile. The importance of teamwork has never been more important than today. Lowlander society emphasizes personal self-worth, individualism, and self-gratification. Thank God HE didn't value those things, else He would have never created us, or upon our sin would have destroyed us.
God values community and cooperation. He looked at Adam and said "It is not good for man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) He made Adam a helper/companion and told them "Go forth and make more like you!" (Genesis 1:28) He looked around for a man like Noah who would not go on the Ark alone but would manage to bring his family along with him and favored him (Genesis 6:8). Out of all the men He could have chosen to start Israel, He selected Abraham because He knew Abraham would command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just (Genesis 18:19). He looks at us and commands "Go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20) Sounds eerily like the value system that drove Him to choose Abraham, doesn't it?
If the economy should go south; if terrorists should strike our grid; should the Peak Oil hypothesis prove to be correct; should our nation go the way most nations throughout history have gone or should persecution rise against us as it has in most other nations...I hope that we will continue to value togetherness, community, and teamwork. Against all temptations to the contrary, we must remember that two may resist but "a cord of three strands is not easily broken." There is strength in numbers.
Another odd thing that pricks at my brain when I read this is that there is a difference in the number of companions. vv.9-11 and even the beginning of v.12 have two companions but the thought ends in three. First, its like he's saying "If two offer all these advantages, how much more will three?" Second, it is directly applicable to the rule of three that we see throughout halakha (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; Hebrews 10:28). Third, and more of a sod than a remez or a derash application is the reference to the Trinity and it's phenomenal, unconquerable strength.
Two are better. This illustration seems to go back to Sumerian literature of the late 3rd millennium BC. Interestingly, friendship is the one thing that Qoheleth never identifies as futile. The importance of teamwork has never been more important than today. Lowlander society emphasizes personal self-worth, individualism, and self-gratification. Thank God HE didn't value those things, else He would have never created us, or upon our sin would have destroyed us.
God values community and cooperation. He looked at Adam and said "It is not good for man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) He made Adam a helper/companion and told them "Go forth and make more like you!" (Genesis 1:28) He looked around for a man like Noah who would not go on the Ark alone but would manage to bring his family along with him and favored him (Genesis 6:8). Out of all the men He could have chosen to start Israel, He selected Abraham because He knew Abraham would command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just (Genesis 18:19). He looks at us and commands "Go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20) Sounds eerily like the value system that drove Him to choose Abraham, doesn't it?
If the economy should go south; if terrorists should strike our grid; should the Peak Oil hypothesis prove to be correct; should our nation go the way most nations throughout history have gone or should persecution rise against us as it has in most other nations...I hope that we will continue to value togetherness, community, and teamwork. Against all temptations to the contrary, we must remember that two may resist but "a cord of three strands is not easily broken." There is strength in numbers.
Another odd thing that pricks at my brain when I read this is that there is a difference in the number of companions. vv.9-11 and even the beginning of v.12 have two companions but the thought ends in three. First, its like he's saying "If two offer all these advantages, how much more will three?" Second, it is directly applicable to the rule of three that we see throughout halakha (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; Hebrews 10:28). Third, and more of a sod than a remez or a derash application is the reference to the Trinity and it's phenomenal, unconquerable strength.
4:13-16
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 HCSB Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings. (14) For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom. (15) I saw all the living who move about under the sun follow a second youth who succeeds him. (16) There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Poor but wise. Even today there are many who hold to the same mistaken belief that Job's friends and the Pharisees of Jesus' day held; that righteousness and wisdom will inevitably lead to material success. I'm not sure why they think that since there are plenty of occasions where the Tanakh lays out the possibility of being wise and poor (i.e. Proverbs 16:16, 19; 22:1; 28:11; Ecclesiastes 4:6; 6:8-9; 9:15). There are also plenty of admonitions to value even peace and quiet over material wealth! (i.e. Proverbs 21:9, 19; 25:24)
Wise youth. In biblical wisdom literature, youth is usually associated with foolishness (i.e. Proverbs 22:15 cp 1 Corinthians 13:11). Here Qoheleth reverses the trend unexpectedly.
Old but foolish king. Perhaps he is referring to himself for,
Follow a second youth. As amazing as the first youth's rags to riches story is, there will inevitably be another at some point. That's the way of life. This year's star is next year's has-been. We should not get tremendously excited about such things. We should simply admire the work of God in each one of them, enjoy their talents or the benefits of their labors while we can, and go to our eternal rest still focused on immutable God rather than ephemeral man.
Those who come later. Ha'ach'aronim (literally "those coming after"), when used in reference to time, refers to future generations (Deuteronomy 29:21; Psalm 48:14; 78:4, 6; 102:19; Job 18:20; Ecclesiastes 1:11; 4:16).
Will not rejoice. That is, they will have forgotten both the two youths and the old foolish king. Human memories are short. Even when we write these things down, few (if any) will read the stories. How many people rejoice in the work of Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, though at one time he was called the "prince of diplomats" and was feted throughout Europe in the 1800s? A day is actually set aside to celebrate Casimir Pulaski, but how many actually know who he is or why a day is named after him? Within another generation, the day will likely be dropped and this brave Polish cavalry man will fade into the mists of time like so many before him.
What we do - we do for God or we are wasting our time. When we obey God and follow His ways, He records them in His book (Psalm 56:8; 69:28 cp Exodus 32:32; 139:16; Daniel 10:21; Malachi 3:16; Revelation 13:8; 20:12-15). Ultimately - only what is written in those books will be remembered. The names of everyone else, their great deeds, their mighty works and small acts of charity or their cruelty and maliciousness...all will be obliterated from the minds and hearts of God's people (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4) . As C.T. Studd put it in his famous poem:
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Poor but wise. Even today there are many who hold to the same mistaken belief that Job's friends and the Pharisees of Jesus' day held; that righteousness and wisdom will inevitably lead to material success. I'm not sure why they think that since there are plenty of occasions where the Tanakh lays out the possibility of being wise and poor (i.e. Proverbs 16:16, 19; 22:1; 28:11; Ecclesiastes 4:6; 6:8-9; 9:15). There are also plenty of admonitions to value even peace and quiet over material wealth! (i.e. Proverbs 21:9, 19; 25:24)
Wise youth. In biblical wisdom literature, youth is usually associated with foolishness (i.e. Proverbs 22:15 cp 1 Corinthians 13:11). Here Qoheleth reverses the trend unexpectedly.
Old but foolish king. Perhaps he is referring to himself for,
- 1 Kings 11:9-10 HCSB The LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. (10) He had commanded him about this, so that he would not follow other gods, but Solomon did not do what the LORD had commanded.
Follow a second youth. As amazing as the first youth's rags to riches story is, there will inevitably be another at some point. That's the way of life. This year's star is next year's has-been. We should not get tremendously excited about such things. We should simply admire the work of God in each one of them, enjoy their talents or the benefits of their labors while we can, and go to our eternal rest still focused on immutable God rather than ephemeral man.
Those who come later. Ha'ach'aronim (literally "those coming after"), when used in reference to time, refers to future generations (Deuteronomy 29:21; Psalm 48:14; 78:4, 6; 102:19; Job 18:20; Ecclesiastes 1:11; 4:16).
Will not rejoice. That is, they will have forgotten both the two youths and the old foolish king. Human memories are short. Even when we write these things down, few (if any) will read the stories. How many people rejoice in the work of Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, though at one time he was called the "prince of diplomats" and was feted throughout Europe in the 1800s? A day is actually set aside to celebrate Casimir Pulaski, but how many actually know who he is or why a day is named after him? Within another generation, the day will likely be dropped and this brave Polish cavalry man will fade into the mists of time like so many before him.
What we do - we do for God or we are wasting our time. When we obey God and follow His ways, He records them in His book (Psalm 56:8; 69:28 cp Exodus 32:32; 139:16; Daniel 10:21; Malachi 3:16; Revelation 13:8; 20:12-15). Ultimately - only what is written in those books will be remembered. The names of everyone else, their great deeds, their mighty works and small acts of charity or their cruelty and maliciousness...all will be obliterated from the minds and hearts of God's people (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4) . As C.T. Studd put it in his famous poem:
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
