Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ec 4:1 and following. Indeed, why the injustice, the misery, the oppression, the conflicts of which this world is filled? Efforts are being made to resolve these problems through social and economic doctrines and to remedy them through international conferences. The only true explanation is ever given because man in his pride refuses to recognize it: his state of sin. The Lord is far from indifferent to all these sufferings (Lm 3:34-36). But he uses the distress of men to reveal himself as the only true comforter (2 Cor 1:3-5; Isaiah 51:12-13). From v. 4, the preacher analyzes the different forms of the “bad work that is done under the sun.” He concludes each time: vanity, continuation of the wind, ungrateful occupation (end of vs. 4, 6, 8, 16). His reflections are of general significance; the world itself often recognizes its wisdom. V. 6 states, for example, that rest of mind with a modest situation isbetter than “both hands full” and torment (1 Tim 6:6-12). For ifan association humanly offers many advantages and even pleasure for work, walking or fighting (vs. 9 to 12), the true strength of the Christian always lies in his personal communion with the Lord.
Indeed, the problem of evil in the world and in the heart of man continues in the first verses of chapter 4. In verses 1-3, the Preacher turns to look at all the horrors that are committed under the sun, as he turned in chapter 2:12 to see wisdom and madness. Have we not witnessed nowadays the scenes that are described here? The oppressions, the tears and despair of the oppressed, the brutal force exerted on the victims, and no comforters… have we not seen all these things? Blessed are the dead; happier those who have never been! These at least did not see the activity of evil occurring in the open! Let us hasten to say that the Christian will never express himself in this way. It is not that he is not filled with a holy horror of evil, but he goes through these things with patience, expecting no realization from the Lord on earth of the things that constitute his hope. He lived in a celestial sphere, entirely closed to the Preacher, for the latter had been given the task of appreciating by wisdom the things present, in a world soiled by sin, in order to show whether one could derive any benefit from them.
Now a jealous rivalry culminating in simple avarice, – this is surely not the wisest or noblest mind of which those who engage in business are capable. Even “market idols” can have purer worship. Business, like wisdom or cheerfulness, cannot be or contain the Supreme Good: however, like them, they are not in themselves and necessarily an evil. There must be a better mode of devotion than this selfish and greedy; and such a mode, Qoheleth, before continuing his argument to the end, stops to emphasize it. As if anticipating a modern theory that wins in favor of the wisest merchants, he suggests that cooperation – of course the word is used in its etymological sense rather than in its technical sense – should replace competition. “Two are better than one,” he argues; “Union is better than isolation; joint work brings the greatest reward” (Ec 4:9).
To bring his suggestion to the heart of men’s business, he uses five illustrations, four of which have a strong oriental coloration. The first is that of two pedestrians (Ec 4:10); if one fell – and such an accident, due to the bad roads and long cumbersome dresses common in the East, was not uncommon – the other is ready to put him back on his feet; while, if he is alone, the least that can happen to him is that his robe will be trampled and swollen before he can pull himself together. In the second illustration (Ec 4:11), our two travelers, tired of their journey, sleep together at its end. However, in Syria, the nights are often sharp and freezing, and the heat of the day makes men more sensitive to the cold. The bedrooms, by the way, have only unglazed lattices that let in the icy air as well as the welcome light; the bed is usually a simple mat, the sheets are just the clothes worn throughout the day. And so the natives squeeze against each other for the sake of warmth. To lie alone was to lie down shivering in the cold night air. The third illustration (Ec 4:12) is also taken from the East. Our two travelers, lying warm on their common mat, buried in sleep, this “dear rest for the tired limbs of the journey”, were very likely to be disturbed by thieves who had dug a hole in the clay walls of the house, or slipped under the tent, to take away what they could. The preacher’s familiar conclusion – “Be quiet, be happy, enjoy as much as you can” – has become dubious to him. He saw the brightest promise come true. In a new and deeper sense, “everything is vanity and vexation of the mind.” But, although going through a great darkness, it sees and reflects a little light. Even when the facts seem to contradict him, he sticks to the conclusion that wisdom is better than foolishness, and goodness is better than selfishness, and doing good, even if one loses, is better than doing evil and winning by it.
For his faith falters only for a moment; he never fully loosens his grip. And, in the fifth chapter, the light grows, although even here the darkness does not quite disappear. We are aware that the twilight in which we find ourselves is not that of the evening, which will sink into the night, but that of the morning, which will shine more and more until the dawn of the day, and the star of the day will rise in the calm sky of quiet and patient hearts.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Better to be dead than alive:
- Discomfort of life
Jb 21:34 Why, then, offer me vain consolations? What remains of your answers is only perfidy. Ec 4.1 I then considered all the oppressions that are committed under the sun; and behold, the oppressed are in tears, and no one who consoles them! they are subjected to the violence of their oppressors, and no one who consoles them! Lm 1:21 My sighs were heard, and no one consoled me; All my enemies have learned of my misfortune, They have rejoiced in what you have caused it; You will bring, you will publish the day they are like me. Na 3:7 All who see you will flee from you, and it will be said: Nineveh is destroyed! Who will pity it? Where will I look for comforters?
- Condemned evil works
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; I hate me, because I bear witness to him that his works are evil. John 8:41 You do the works of your father. They said to him: We are not illegitimate children; we have one Father, God. Gal 5:19 Now, the works of the flesh are manifest, they are immodesty, impurity, dissolution, 2 Pet 2:8 (for this righteous man, who dwelt among them, tormented his soul daily just because of what he saw and heard of their criminal works);
- Laziness
Pr 24:30-31 I passed by the field of a sloth, And near the vineyard of a meaningless man. 31 And behold, the thorns there grew everywhere, The brambles covered its face, And the stone wall was collapsed. Ec 10:18 When the hands are lazy, the frame sags; and when the hands are loose, the house has gutters. 2 Thess 3:11 We learn, however, that there are a few among you who live in disorder, who do not work, but who deal with trivialities. Hb 6:12 so that you do not relax, and imitate those who, by faith and perseverance, inherit the promises.
- Stubbornness, warning against
Ps 32:9 Do not be like a horse or mule without intelligence; They are bridled with a brake and a bit, which are adorned, so that they do not approach you. Ps 78:8 That they might not be, like their fathers, an indocile and rebellious race, a race whose heart was not firm, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. Esa 46:12 Listen to me, hardened people of heart, Enemies of righteousness! Isa 48:4 Knowing that you are hardened, that your neck is an iron bar, and that you have a brass forehead,
From all the above, we note that thewise man then examines, not only the work of man, but the skill he deploys in it, and behold, he finds nothing in all this effort than the jealousy of one against the other, the desire to surpass and surpass each other so that the competitor does not enjoy the same advantages. This, too, is only the fruit of sin; vanity and pursuit of the wind! This thought leads him (vs. 5-12) to examine the different forms of human activity in the world. What has just been said does not exclude the fact that there are profitable things in this activity, principles which, according to God’s government, have happy consequences. What will the sage discover in this area? He first meets the one who has both empty hands (v. 5), the sloth who destroys himself (Isa 49:26). He then sees (v. 6) the possibility of having a mediocre fruit of his activity, but rest; he finally considers the one who has both hands full, with work, and the pursuit of what he will never be able to achieve. Atthe ssi, thePreacher turns again and discovers the vanity of the man who works constantly, becomes rich and remains alone. His life is aimless; he has no second, no son, no brother; he does not have an atom of happiness. What a thankless and vain occupation! In contrast to this loneliness, for the wise man is able to appreciate every useful and good principle in human activity, he values the association in work in contrast to the solitary worker of whom he has just spoken: “Two are better than one; because they have a good salary for their work.” They get each other up, warm up to each other at rest time, lend a hand in struggle and resistance. But much better still, man needs a triple force, for three is the divine number. “The triple rope does not break quickly” (v. 12). We Christians have this figure for struggle, as for service: “Putting on the armor of faith and love, and, for helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thes 5:8). Whether it is the government of men, youth and poverty with wisdom are preferable to power and age devoid of intelligence and who can no longer receive education. This man is comparable to the slave and the poor wrongly clothed with royal dignity. So many such examples in the history of the kingdoms! But even the success of the young boy who comes after the old king does not last. For thefavor of the people is unstable. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” Tips on piety ( Ec 5).
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.