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Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten

Ecclesiastes Lesson Ten: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 – Authentic Religion

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2  Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 For dreams result from much work and a fool’s voice from many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For many dreams bring futility, so do many words.  Therefore, fear God. (HCSB)

In the previous sections, the teacher made observations about the courtroom, the marketplace, the highway, and the palace. Now, in chapter five, he visits the temple.

As we move into chapter five, the teacher addresses the issue of our tongue. As we look through Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, we see numerous times where the tongue and its use are addressed. As we review these examples, keep in mind the tongue can both tear down as well as build up others. The tongue can inflame a situation, or it can calm a situation. The question to ask is, do we control our tongue, or does our tongue control us?

Proverbs 10:20  The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 12:18  There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:19  Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

Proverbs 15:2  The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4  The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit. 

Proverbs 18:21  Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:13  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Matthew 12:36  I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.

James 1:26  If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

James 3:6  And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 

1 Peter 3:10  For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the passage.

  • In a macro sense, the teacher observed many who were not sincere in their worship.
    • They were robbing God of the reverence and honor He deserved.
    • Their acts of worship were fleeting, insincere, and hypocritical.
    • The phrase “Guard your steps” should be interpreted as “proceed with reverence.”
  • In the context of the worshippers in Jerusalem at this time, God’s presence dwelt in the temple.
    • For worshippers during this period in Israel’s history, coming into the temple should have been a reverent act.
    • For worshippers today, even though God doesn’t “dwell” in the church building, gathering together as believers and worshipping God should be done with a proper heart attitude.
    • Isaiah 1:10-20  Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 “What are all your sacrifices to Me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, who requires this from you—this trampling of My courts? 13 Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies — I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. 14 I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to Me; I am tired of putting up with them. 15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil. 7 Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. 18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 
    • During the temple period, animals were sacrificed to atone for sins. When Jesus went to the cross and sacrificed His life for us, animal sacrifices were no longer required. However, every believer has a priestly identity; we do, in a manner of speaking, offer sacrifices to God.
      • Our bodies – Romans 12:1-2  Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you  to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
      • Witness to others – Romans 15:6  so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.
      • Our money – Philippians 4:18  But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
      • Our praise and good works – Hebrews 13:15-16  Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
      • Psalm 51:17  The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
    • Sacrifices are not a substitute for obedience. We only need to consider the example of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:12-23.
    • As we consider this first verse, let’s consider two attributes about God that anyone who goes to worship should remember.
      • God is holy. Worshipping God should be considered holy.
        • The day of worship – Exodus 16:23  He told them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil, and set aside everything left over to be kept until morning.’ ”
        • The place of worship – Exodus 26:33-34  Hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony there behind the veil, so the veil will make a separation for you between the holy place and the most holy place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
        • The offering – Leviticus 6:25-27  Tell Aaron and his sons: This is the law of the sin offering. The sin offering is most holy and must be slaughtered before the Lord at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. 26 The priest who offers it as a sin offering is to eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the tent of meeting. 27 Anything that touches its flesh will become holy, and if any of its blood spatters on a garment, then you must wash that garment in a holy place.
        • The priests – Leviticus 21:7  They are not to marry a woman defiled by prostitution. They are not to marry one divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. 
        • The worshippers – 2 Chronicles 20:21  Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.
      • Holiness is not just an Old Testament theme.
        • Jesus drove the money changers from the temple – Matthew 21:12-13  Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”
        • Reflection before taking communion – 1 Corinthians 11:27-28  Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup.
        • Act in a manner reflecting reverence and godly fear – Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
      • Holiness has three dimensions.
        • Reverence towards the one we worship.
        • It means to be “set apart for God.”
        • The worshipper and worship need to be pure and sinless.
    • The authority of God.
      • Our understanding of God’s authority comes from Scripture.
        • John 4:24  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
        • Worshipping in truth, means to understand and know truth, which is Scripture.
      • Too often, God’s people are concerned about how the message is produced and given instead of the content of the message.
      • You may have heard the phrase “Form over substance” before. However, that’s backward. We should be more concerned about substance and not pay so much attention to form.
    • When we have the right attitude regarding worship, the rest of the observations the teacher makes in the remaining verses of this passage will no longer be a concern.
  • Verses two and three address the issue of speaking too quickly or saying too much. Both of these represent cases where our tongue gets us in trouble. In these verses, the teacher is addressing prayers to God.
    • Prayers should never be spoken in a flippant or casual manner.
    • Most of us have been given opportunities to present some type of speech or presentation before others, maybe even during a very important event. When those occasions arise, do we just “wing it,” or do we diligently prepare our words and take them seriously?
    • We should have the same attitude when we speak to God.
      • It’s true that sometimes we may not know what to say, but the Holy Spirit will lead us.
      • What we should have is a reverent attitude towards God as we enter into prayer.
      • Our heart condition is the most important aspect of our prayer life. Enter into prayer with a humble and repentant heart.
    • Don’t pray rashly or ramble, trying to make an eloquent petition. God doesn’t need either or honor either one.
      • Psalm 141:1-2  Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. 2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
      • Matthew 12:34-37  Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account  for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
      • Spurgeon was once quoted saying, “It is not the length of our prayers, but the strength of our prayers, that makes the difference.”
  • Verses four through seven address the issue of making vows to God.
    • God doesn’t require us to make vows, but if we do make one, we must be sure to honor the vow.
      • Deuteronomy 23:21-23  If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin. 23 Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the Lord your God.
      • Acts 18:18  So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae because he had taken a vow.
    • However, vows were an integral part of Jewish worship.
    • The teacher is implying that many vows made to God are not necessary, but once made, they must be kept. The most tragic is the story of Jephthah and his daughter in Judges 11:29-40.
    • The teacher addressed two sins when making vows.
      • Making a vow with no intention of keeping it. In essence, people who do this are lying to God.
      • Making a vow but not honoring it in a timely manner. In some cases, the person who made the vow may be looking for a way to get out of it.
    • God hears what we say and will hold us to our promises. The only exception would be those vows which are completely foolish.
    • If circumstances prevent us from completing it or it’s delayed, God understands and won’t hold the vow against us.
    • We shouldn’t make vows in an effort to impress others. 
    • At times, believers live in a religious dream world.
      • They believe that words are as good as deeds.
      • Their worship is not serious, which makes their words not dependable.
      • They practice a make-believe religion that neither glorifies God nor builds Christian character.
    • Psalm 66:13-14  I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows 14 that my lips promised and my mouth spoke during my distress.
    • When we rob God of the worship and honor He is due, we rob ourselves of the spiritual blessings He gives to those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
    • The identity of the “messenger” in verse six needs to be broached. Who was the messenger?
      • God.
      • An angel, possibly the angel of death.
      • A prophet.
      • A priest.
      • A messenger from the temple.
    • The most likely identity is the last one, a messenger from the temple. This person was sent by the priest to collect unfulfilled vows.

Applications

  • Prepare your heart as you enter into worship. This applies to corporate worship at the various church services during the week. It also applies to small group meetings and your personal prayer time with God. Each of these, as well as our daily lives, is an act of worship. We must enter it with the proper heart condition.
  • Before you make any promise to God, take time to count the cost. God would rather have you reflect on your potential vow and even change it if you can’t keep it, rather than make a vow and then fail to stay true to your word. Once you do make a vow, fulfill it in full and in a timely manner.
  • In all our actions, words, and deeds, we should have a reverent fear of God. When we walk in that manner, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll experience the blessings and protection of God.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Nine

Ecclesiastes Lesson Nine: Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 – The Tears of the Lonely and Disillusioned

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. 

9 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 someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. 

13 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. (HCSB)

I’ll be breaking this lesson into two parts.

  • The importance of family and friends – verses 7-12.
  • Poor and wise is better than foolish and powerful – verses 13-16.

The Importance of Family and Friends

In this section, the teacher observes the importance of family and friends and the uselessness of wealth and possessions for the lonely. Let’s take a deeper look at this section of the passage.

  • The teacher observed the struggles of a person without any family or friends.
    • In this example, the loneliness is self-inflicted.
      • People become slaves to their work.
      • They’re never satisfied with what they have.
      • Money and possessions are their family.
    • The drive to satisfy their “worldly appetite” ends up driving their family and friends away.
      • The preoccupation with “stuff” prevents them from establishing and cultivating relationships.
      • Or it drives others away because they see that “stuff” is all the person is concerned with.
    • This example is personified in the person who has achieved things in life, maybe even seemingly great things, but when they look around, they’ve left a trail of broken family ties and friendships behind.
    • Success is meaningless when it consumes the person, resulting in absolute loneliness.
    • At the same time, the teacher is not condemning a strong work ethic.
      • It’s good to have a strong work ethic.
      • But it must be balanced with the other aspects of life.
      • People must enjoy the fruits of their labor and leisure time.
  • After observing the struggles of those who choose to live in isolation, the teacher now turns to the importance of family and friends and living in community.
    • Working in groups is more efficient than working alone.
      • Two or more workers can accomplish more than a solitary worker.
      • Even after dividing the profits, the increased efficiency results in greater benefits.
      • Difficult jobs are also easier in groups.
        • Some jobs are very difficult or even impossible to do alone.
        • When the work is tiring or difficult, work partners can offer encouragement to each other.
    • The idea of falling should be viewed in two ways.
      • The first is the physical act of falling.
        • Depending on the situation, a person may need help in getting back up after falling. Maybe they’ve fallen into a hole (think of ancient civilization roads) or down an embankment.
        • They may have fallen and injured themselves. In this situation, they’re incapable of getting out of the situation themselves.
      • The second view is of spiritual falling.
        • A person may be struggling with sin or an addiction. One or more people to “lift them up” is invaluable in overcoming the temptation.
        • When believers live in community, they can mutually support each other through prayer and the use of their spiritual gifts.
      • Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
    • Having companions will also prove beneficial when stranded in poor weather.
      • It’s a proven scientific fact that when people are stranded in cold conditions, and there isn’t a heat source or a way to make a fire, sharing body heat is the best solution.
      • The statement from the teacher doesn’t carry any sexual innuendo. It’s a practical application to survive in adverse conditions.
      • There is also a metaphorical understanding that emotional comfort is provided against the coldness of the world.
    • Finally, being in groups was a safety-conscious decision.
      • Traveling alone was dangerous, regardless of the time of day.
      • Even King David was grateful for a friend who stepped in during a time of need. 2 Samuel 21:15-17  The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted. 16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giant, whose bronze spear weighed about eight pounds and who wore new armor, intended to kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him: “You must never again go out with us to battle. You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel.”
  • The teacher followed a pattern that was typical in Hebrew literature.
    • He started with “one” in verse eight.
    • He moved to “two” in verse nine.
    • He finished with “three” in verse twelve.
    • One cord could be easily broken. Two provided more strength. But three cords were even better. Three cords required unity, a picture of friendship.

Poor and Wise is Better than Foolish and Powerful

This is the fourth time in chapter four that the teacher uses the term “better.” It introduces a story that teaches two timeless truths; the instability of political power and the variability of popularity. Let’s dig deeper into these last few verses.

  • The story in these verses is about a king and a wise young man who is poor.
    • Early in the king’s rule, he listened to his advisors’ advice and ruled with wisdom.
      • As he got older, the king no longer listened to his advisors.
      • It would be easy to assume the change was due to senility or inflated pride. However, the problem was likely deeper than this.
        • The king was probably surrounded by advisors who were more concerned with their position and making the king happy than they were about providing sound advice.
        • Their poor advice would isolate the king from what was actually happening around him.
        • In return, these advisors were able to live in comfort at the expense of the general populace.
        • This situation is common with weak leaders who are more concerned about themselves than they are about their people.
      • Regardless of traditional thought, neither age nor might ensure wisdom and success.
    • The youth is “better” than the king because he understands to pay attention to warnings.
    • This youth is also the person referenced in verse fifteen who succeeds the old king.
      • The first “youth” should be understood as the now old king.
      • This second youth now uses his energy and political cunning to steal the hearts of the people who have grown tired of the now distant, inflexible, and old king.
      • A perfect example of this situation is Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne from David.
      • However, this is not the solution or end of the story.
  • The teacher is indicating the change in leadership will be a continuous loop, repeating itself endlessly throughout history.
    • Power is a fleeting commodity.
    • Being the leader is a temporary position.
    • Each one is just a timestamp in the historical timeline of the earth.

As we conclude our study of chapter four, there are a few principles the teacher is attempting to highlight.

  • Life doesn’t stand still. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, we must face life head-on, with God’s help, and make the most of it.
  • We need family and friends in life. We may think there are advantages to being independent, but there are also disadvantages. These disadvantages become heavier as we get older.
  • Everyone needs balance in their life. It’s good to have the things that money can buy as long as you don’t lose the things money can’t buy. Are you sacrificing what should be permanent to get what will end up being temporary?
  • Mark 8:36-37  For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?  37 What can a man give in exchange for his life?

Applications

  • Take stock of the relationships you have with your family and friends. Have you placed the pursuit of “worldly” desires before those relationships? Our family should never suffer as a result of our jobs. There may be times when situations arise, causing financial hardship. However, as much as possible, those should be temporary in nature. Our spouses and children are gifts from God. They are more valuable than all the money in the world.
  • Be involved in mutually supportive relationships. Extend help to others in their times of need. Accept help from others when you need it. Don’t let pride prevent you from accepting help. 
  • No matter what stage of life we’re in, we need truthful friends who aren’t afraid to “tell it like it is.” At times that may ruffle our feathers, but it will also keep us on the “narrow road.” Don’t be the “foolish king” in your relationships. At the same time, if you have friends who are suffering from the “foolish king” syndrome, speak the truth in love to them. They may not thank you right away, but once the situation clears, it’s almost certain they will value what you said.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eight

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eight: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 – The Tears of the Oppressed and Frustrated.

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. 2 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. 

4 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. 5 The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind. (HCSB)

The teacher now addresses two issues, which is how this lesson will be divided.

  • Corruption in society – verses 1-3.
  • Corruption in the workplace – verses 4-6.

Corruption in Society

Israel had a fair judicial system based on divine Law. The details are contained in Exodus 18:13-27, Deuteronomy 17 and 19. Moses warned officials to judge honestly and fairly.

  • Leviticus 19:15  You must not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.
  • Deuteronomy 1:17  Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.

Both prophets and the psalmist spoke out against social injustice.

  • Isaiah 56:1  This is what the Lord says: Preserve justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed.
  • Amos 1-2
  • Psalm 82

Solomon had demonstrated fairness and wisdom in judging cases; 1 Kings 3:16-28.

However, every society through the ages experiences corruption, which can often lead to a downward spiral. In some cases, this downward spiral will lead to the end of the established government or at least a major evolution in how it operates.

Now, let’s take a closer look at these first three verses.

  • The teacher said that those who were in positions of power were using that power to oppress the less fortunate.
    • The powerful enjoyed the freedom to do as they wished, with little or no repercussion when they abused the less fortunate. 
    • The less fortunate people had no advocate to argue on their behalf.
    • Ultimately, the less fortunate had no means to receive justice and comfort from the society that was supposed to protect them.
  • The oppressors in the Jewish government had fallen from the instructions set forth by God.
    • Leviticus 6:2-5  When someone sins and offends the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit, a security, or a robbery; or defrauds his neighbor; 3 or finds something lost and lies about it; or swears falsely about any of the sinful things a person may do— 4 once he has sinned and acknowledged his guilt—he must return what he stole or defrauded, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost item he found, 5 or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make full restitution for it and add a fifth of its value to it.  He is to pay it to its owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt.
    • Ezekiel 22:7  Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the foreign resident is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you.
    • Ezekiel 22:29  The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery.  They have oppressed the poor and needy and unlawfully exploited the foreign resident.
    • Micah 2:1-2  Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. 2 They covet fields  and seize them; they also take houses. They deprive a man of his home, a person of his inheritance.
    • Jeremiah 22:17  But you have eyes and a heart for nothing except your own dishonest profit, shedding innocent blood and committing extortion and oppression.
  • We see again the problem of “everything under the sun.”
    • People who live in this manner live with a sinful and materialistic mindset.
    • They use their power or influence to take advantage of others for their own benefit.
  • The oppressive nature of the social structure which the teacher witnessed had such a profound effect that he admired the dead.
  • If we remember back to the previous lesson, death is the arena of hope for the oppressed.
    • The dead are judged for their actions.
    • The righteous, even if they were oppressed, are spared eternal judgment.
    • The oppressors, regardless of their wealth, power, or position, will receive eternal punishment for their wickedness.
    • It is in death that the oppressed will finally find their rest.
  • However, never being born is the best solution.
    • They will never be tempted by what’s “under the sun.”
    • They will never be the victim of oppression and despair.
    • I think it’s a fair understanding that the teacher is using hyperbole in verse three.
      • Every human is made in the image of God.
      • All are wonderfully crafted.
      • Yet, at the same time, there will be those who are oppressed and live in despair.
      • It is in the face of this conundrum that the teacher makes the statement about never having been born.

Corruption in the Workplace

Being disgusted with what he observed in the judicial and governmental sectors of Israel, the teacher ventures into the workplace. He was certain he would see a better situation here since honest work was a gift from God. Let’s take a closer look at what he found.

  • He found people who worked hard.
  • He found people who were skillful in their craft.
  • He found jealous competition. The workers’ jealousy was the problem.
    • The workers were highly skilled and produced quality products.
    • However, the only reason for their skill and quality was to be better than their competition.
    • It wasn’t to benefit the buyer; it was to benefit themselves.
  • God didn’t put selfishness into work; it was the result of sin in the world.
    • People covet what others have, even in the workplace.
      • A better reputation.
      • A product people desired to buy.
      • We envy when others have more or better “things” than we do.
    • Coveting, competition, and envy are often found as companions.
    • Competition is not sinful; it’s when being first or the best becomes more important than being honest that trouble rears its ugly head.
    • Rivalry, if done with an honest heart, will produce better products.
  • Consider examples from Scripture where jealousy or envy resulted in the committing of great sin.
    • 1 Kings 21 – The example of King Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s vineyard and the false accusation bought against him to allow the king to acquire the vineyard.
    • 2 Samuel – King David, even though he had many wives, desired Bathsheba and had her husband killed to cover up his adultery.
  • Healthy competition benefits everyone.
  • Jealousy and envy hurt everyone, including the one who seems to “come out on top.”
  • The teacher now moves to people of the opposite extreme; those who don’t possess any ambition at all.
  • Scripture is clear in its view about laziness.
    • Proverbs 6:10-11  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 11 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.
    • Proverbs 18:9  The one who is truly lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
    • Proverbs 19:15  Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.
    • Proverbs 24:30-34  I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense. 31 Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. 32 I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, 34 and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:10  In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.
  • When we consider the extremes of verses four and five, we observe that the industrious person was motivated by competition and consumed by the rat race of life. They had no time for leisure. The idle person was motivated by pleasure and was rushing toward ruin. They weren’t productive.
  • This begs the question. Is there a happy medium between the two extremes?
  • Verse six answers this question with a resounding “yes.”
    • This person was productive.
    • They also made sure there was time for rest and leisure.
  • The person who is driven for gain, whether it be money, power, position, or “things,” will never have time to enjoy them. They’ll always be looking for more. They’ll never be satisfied, and the obsession for more will consume them.
  • The lazy person believes that doing nothing will bring them peace, but this lifestyle will destroy them.
  • The balanced approach allows the person to enjoy their work and their leisure time.

Applications

  • Don’t tolerate oppression. All people are made in the image of God. When people are treated unfairly, Christians should peacefully stand against that oppression. Sometimes there’s a fine line we need to walk. We should never condone or tolerate behavior that goes against Scripture. However, that doesn’t give Christians the right to treat these people as less than human. Jesus never did that, and as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t either.
  • If you are in a position of leadership, don’t use that position to oppress others and elevate yourself. Treat those under you, whatever the relationship, in a respectful and honoring manner.
  • How do you approach your work? Do you do it because you want more stuff; money, possessions, position, or power? Or do you work to glorify God, provide for your family, benefit society? Make sure you build rest or leisure into your life. God provided the Sabbath as a day of rest. He recognized the need for rest, and we should, too.