Ecclesiastes is a book about searching for meaning in life. It’s about finding purpose. The Preacher assumes the position of King Solomon, one who had great wisdom and great wealth, yet he is unable to find rest in either.
Wisdom and wealth cannot provide rest.
He considers the endless cycles of nature and concludes that everything is vanity, emptiness. Searching for meaning in life “under the sun” is like chasing after the wind.
You won’t find your contentment in work or study, pleasure or possessions.
There have been hints along the way that point to an alternative way of life. He has acknowledged that God sits enthroned above all our experiences. He is sovereign and in control. Even though our experience is filled with much vexation and affliction, God has indeed given us food and work and the ability to enjoy life.
Those who please God with their lives find wisdom, knowledge and joy (Ecc 2:24-26).
Chapter three ended on the idea of injustice, and chapter four continues with the specific notion of oppression, which is a form of injustice. But, we will end our reading at v.6, where the Preacher encourages his readers to find satisfaction and contentment.
Ecclesiastes 4:1–6 ESV
Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
In his classic work, Confessions, Augustine prays his popular prayer, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
It’s a prayer many of us have prayed in our own way. We experienced a restless searching for satisfaction and contentment in all the wrong places and things, until we found hope and rest in God.
Last week the Preacher noted the pervasiveness of wickedness. We find wickedness even where there is supposed to be justice and righteousness. No sphere of life is immune from sin. That is precisely what the doctrine of Total Depravity teaches. This is true on a personal level as well as the institutional level.
Last week the main idea was to enjoy your work despite pervasive wickedness and your impending death. This week’s idea stems from the fact that humans lack the ability to be content. We are challenged to…
Learn to be content despite oppression and envy.
Joy is parallel with contentment, while the pervasive wickedness is revealed by death, oppression, and envy. Joy and contentment reflect an attitude of faith that overcomes the sins we are so easily ensnared by.
We will look at our passage in two parts this morning:
1. Discomfort and its Alternatives (1-3)
2. Envy and its Alternatives (4-6)
1. Discomfort and its Alternatives (1-3)
Ecclesiastes 4:1 ESV
Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.
“Under the sun” reminds us of the Preacher’s assumed worldview. He is not taking a holistic approach to his research, but he is looking at the world from a secular mindset. We also see that the phrase brackets the passage in v.3 setting this apart from what follows.
The theme in v.1 is “oppression”. The Preacher is comparing those who have been oppressed with their oppressors. And the shocking conclusion is that neither are able to receive comfort from their circumstances. Neither feel a sense of relief. We see those who are oppressed weeping and unable to feel comfort. Yet, we also see the oppressors enjoying their power and not experiencing comfort themselves.
Most commentaries believe the refrain “no one to comfort” is repeated for emphasis and still refers to the oppressed. The problem with this interpretation is it doesn’t seem to fit vv.2-3 as well. We are already shocked by the Preacher’s apparent pessimism, but now it stretches our imagination to assume the Preacher is so alarmed, so distraught by the plight of the oppressed that he finds death and remaining unborn as more appealing than simply bearing witness to oppression.
It seems more likely that the Preacher is wanting to emphasize the lack of contentment we receive whether we are in the position of power or oppression.
Kidner focuses on the relationship between oppression and power. He writes,
“Paradoxically [power] limits the possibility of reform itself, because the more control the reformer wields, the more it tends to tyranny.”
Thus history is a gigantic grandfather clock in which the pendulum ceaselessly swings from one extreme of power to another. Those who lack power now, will gather together enough resources and strength to overthrow the present power. Then, they too will begin to enjoy their power so much that it will begin to corrupt their compassion. No longer are they fighting for the oppressed, but they are more concerned with maintaining their control at all costs.
It’s not hard to find that oppression was forbidden in Scripture. Let’s consider a few passages:
Zechariah 7:10 ESV
do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Proverbs 14:31 ESV
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Oppression brings discomfort into the life of the oppressed, but it also brings no satisfaction into the life of the oppressor either. This insight brings the preacher to the observation that it is better to be dead than alive…
Ecclesiastes 4:2 ESV
And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive.
In other words, we’re better off dead than to continue living in discomfort.
What does he mean by “the dead who are already dead”? Is it simply a reference to the fact that everyone will die? Is he suggesting that those who cannot find comfort are living as if they were dead? Is this opposed to the dead who are still alive?
We see that it is in contrast to “the living who are still alive.” This is probably simply a Hebraic way of emphasizes their state of being dead/alive. It would be like saying, “It’s better to be really dead than really alive.”
Then in v.3 he takes it even further…
Ecclesiastes 4:3 ESV
But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
It’s the best of all to never be born. The unborn are spared the witnessing of “evil deeds”. They have the advantage of never suffering.
To be human is to suffer pain and emotional loss. Being human requires moments of discomfort. The Preacher provides the only alternative to experiencing discomfort – death, or better yet, never be born.
Life “under the sun” lacks compassion. But wait. Is that true? Do the oppressed as well as the oppressors really lack comfort?
I’ve seen people who do not share the Christian faith show compassion for others.
Jesus’ own parable of the Good Samaritan points to the compassion of an outsider to rebuke the Jewish religious leaders who showed great commitment to their own rules, but lacked compassion for their neighbor.
We should recognize that Ecclesiastes belongs to a genre of writing know as Wisdom Literature. Much like Proverbs, there are statements which cannot be applied in a universal manner, but are generally true.
The Good Samaritan is an exception to the general truth that the world lacks compassion.
So how can we learn to be content despite the oppression we see and experience?
The Preacher doesn’t answer that, or even suggest the question quite yet. So before we consider the answer from Scripture more broadly, let us move on to the next section.
› The Preacher transitions from Discomfort to…
2. Envy and its Alternatives (4-6)
Ecclesiastes 4:4 ESV
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
The Preacher transitions from “oppression” to “toil” (vv.4, 5). He suggests that the only reason we work and strive to be skilled in our work is because we are envious of others.
Solomon points to the destructive power of jealousy (a synonym for envy)…
Proverbs 27:4 ESV
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Jealousy is worse than wrath and anger!
All our envy is vanity and chasing after the wind.
What is your primary motivation?
Maybe you want fame. Maybe you want fortune. But whatever it is that motivates your professional growth, envy is often at the root.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see the harsh truth in that. I may not spend much time comparing myself with John Piper or RC Sproul or John MacArthur. Those elite preachers are in a special category. And it doesn’t take a lot of humility to see I don’t belong in that category. However, mention someone who graduated from seminary around the same time as me and the first thing I want to know is the size of their church. I want to know if it’s grown since he arrived. Maybe you’re thinking, “Man, is Brad really that petty?”
Well, let me assure you – that’s not even close to the half of it! Because, depending upon how their church is doing I’m going to want t know how their family life is. Is their marriage healthy? Are they a good father? And, then, if they’re doing really well their too I might figure their personal walk with God MUST be cold.
Why do I want to know all of this? Of course, it’s so I can better know how to pray for him… yeah right. It’s so I can compare myself to him and justify my value and worth. I’ve got to be better than him in something! So, yes, I am thatpetty.
Both the oppressed and the oppressor are in need. No one enters a relationship self-sufficient. Each party receives something from the transaction.
Ecclesiastes 4:5 ESV
The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
I don’t think the Preacher is literally calling the fool a cannibal. At first I thought it might be an illustration of one clinching his fists and biting his knuckles. The fool lives an anxious life because he is constantly comparing himself to his peers.
However, upon further study, it seems to be a depiction of laziness. It is suggesting the idea of withdrawing from life to avoid rivalry. It is the opposite of v.4.
Folding hands is a picture of laziness…
Proverbs 6:10–11 ESV
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:33–34 ESV
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
You can almost hear Solomon’s mocking tone, “Ahh… Did my lazy man get a little sleep? Did you get a little rest? Did you fold your hands over your chest after a long hard day of doing absolutely nothing!”
“Folding hands” = don’t work. This means the fool’s existence is self-defeating. In short order he will consume everything he has.
Oppression and envy are additional examples of the pervasiveness of wickedness.
But, something better than laziness and rivalry is taught in the next verse…
Ecclesiastes 4:6 ESV
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
The Preacher concludes that contentment with a handful or quietness is better than two handfuls of toil. Thus, striving after the wind involves envy and anxious living.
The second method of toil involves both hands.
Halloween – Cupping both hands together or simply shoving the open bag out (a combination of laziness and greed…). The hope is that you will receive more than one piece.
If that’s how you approach Halloween you might as well keep your hands cupped together because before the night is over we all know you will be throwing up reese’s pieces and chunks of Twix and Kit-Kats… and you better not get any on that costume I just spent a fortune on…
Of course, the preacher is not limiting this principle of food. It is the greed that motivates our work habits – forsaking rest in order to get a leg up on the competition.
So how can we learn to be content despite oppression and envy?
Let’s look at that last verse again…
Ecclesiastes 4:6 ESV
Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
1. Folding hands represents one who is lazy.
2. Both hands full represents one who is greedy.
3. One hand full represents one who is content.
The secret is learning to be satisfied with less in order to enjoy the rest God provides.
Learning to be content with less is not easy in our materialistic and consumeristic world. But it is far healthier way to live.
Isn’t that ultimately how diets work?
Sure there’s a difference in the quality of calories you put into your body, but at the end of the day you MUST eat less calories than you burn in order to lose weight.
So the Preacher is promoting his own diet plan. It’s easier than the Daniel Plan or the Atkin’s Diet. Just cut your portions in 1/2. Instead of eating two cheeseburgers from In-N-Out, learn to savor one so that you are satisfied by less. Instead of working 70hrs/wk, try 35. Don’t buy the Corvette, but settle for the Camry.
We see a picture of contentment in the garden…
Genesis 2:16 ESV
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,
“Surely” may also be translated as “freely” which draws out the implied peace that existed between man and nature. However, Adam and Eve lost this peaceful toil because of their desire to be like God (Gen. 3:5).
The Promise Land became a symbol of returning to that state of tranquility between work and joy (Gen. 13:10; Ex. 3:8). It would become a place of rest, where they would lack no good thing (Ps. 23:1-3). There they would experience safety and blessing (1 Kings 4:25; Isa. 36:16; 65:21-25).
The thread continues in the New Testament. Jesus taught his disciples:
Luke 12:15 ESV
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
He would go on in the same chapter to teach them not to be anxious about their lives, what they would eat or wear. Consider the ravens. They know nothing of saving up, yet God provides them with food when they’re hungry. Consider the lilies. They grow without any anxious toil.
Luke 12:31–34 ESV
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
When we are freed from the Rat Race, the endless cycle of anxious toil, we can begin to live for the kingdom of God. Only then will we be able to say with Paul,
Philippians 4:11–13 ESV
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
› Transition
Conclusion
We might summarize our passage this morning with the words of…
Proverbs 14:30 ESV
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
We will not have a tranquil heart until we learn to…
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Our riches are not in material possessions, they are in the blessings that belong to us as children of God, adopted through the work of redemption wrought by Jesus Christ on our behalf.
When we live for God’s kingdom we are storing up treasure to be enjoyed forever. Only a fool would trade that for a temporary wealth and fame.
Instead, learn to be satisfied with less in order to enjoy the rest God provides.