I Still Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 6:1-12)

The concluding exhortation to enjoy life as a gift from God (5:18-20) is the climax of a larger argument.
Problem > Solution < Problem.
We will see many parallel themes and phrases.

Read Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

Even though we know we should enjoy the gift of life God has granted, we are frequently prevented from doing so.
Why is that the case? Why can’t we simply decide to enjoy life more?
We begin noticing and counting all our frustrations.
The problems of life bubble back up to the surface, and before you know it we are up to our necks once again feeling anxiety and shame and joyless.
Life is empty. We are all chasing after wind.
Joy fades when we start comparing.

1 Announcing an evil that is universally frustrating.
2 A grievous evil = A man (wealth + possessions + honor) – no power to enjoy them.
Rather, he can only watch as a stranger enjoys it all.

Martin Luther This passage is a description of a rich man who lacks nothing for a good and happy life and yet does not have one.

David suggests something similar as he observes “the wicked” Psalm 39:1-6:
- Filled with distress and anguish.
- Desired a proper view of death, life’s fleeting nature.
- Uses language of life as a breath and shadow.
- 6c Man’s inability to enjoy God’s gifts stems from a desire to preserve it.
The joy of 5:18-20 doesn’t keep us satisfied for long. We cycle right back around to the same anxious thoughts and shameful feelings.
Why?

We worry about how we might lose what we have yet to enjoy.
We worry about what could have been, rather than what already is.
We have a desire that cannot be satisfied by wealth, possessions, and honor.
Once we make these the central purpose for our lives > comparison with others becomes common > we quickly lose the joy that comes from being content with what God has provided.

His comparisons only spiral downward from here…

3 A father has 100 children and lives long, but without satisfaction or burial, is worse off than the stillborn.
4 At least the stillborn can come and go in obscurity.
5 The stillborn never sees or knows anything.
6 Even if the father lives 2,000yrs – he’s no better off than the stillborn.
A long life with many children, but without satisfaction is worse than being stillborn.

Compare this man with the man in 5:13-17 (bankrupt, no inheritance for son). It seems the man in ch.6 is better off, yet the outcome is even more tragic.

Michael Eaton Better to miscarry at birth, than to miscarry throughout life.

These are the thoughts of one considering life “under the sun” (vv.1 & 12). He’s not considering value and extent of eternity which clearly outweighs even a lifetime of pain.

Just as wealth, possessions, and honor cannot bring ultimate satisfaction, so children and long life can’t bring true rest.
The man’s soul (v.3) was not satisfied. He was lacking something spiritually.
Therein lies the difficulty: The Preacher is searching for a physical answer to a spiritual problem.
He knows his mission is doomed from the start, but doesn’t it remind you of your own search for purpose and meaning?

The evil and envy stem from…

7 A man works for food, but remains hungry.
8 Wise have no advantage over fools. The functioning poor are not disadvantaged.
9 Contentment (see/have) is better than perpetually unfulfilled desires.
10 Man cannot change the lot God has given him. God is the “one stronger” who named things into existence. The futility of disputing with God (Job; Isa. 45:9f; Romans 9:20). Can the clay offer advice to the potter, or ask questions of his molder?
11 No advantage can be found.
12 Man is merely a shadow in this futile life.
This section contains a collection of unfulfilled longings that affects everyone. We are all perpetually dissatisfied because we constantly compare ourselves with others.

Kidner (The Preacher) is very far from holding that man has rights which God ignores; it is rather that man has needs which God exposes.

Purpose: To name our frustrations which derive from endless comparison (children, spouses, careers, houses, cars, etc.).
Comparisons become so bleak some will envy the stillborn who never faced frustrations.
Tragically, it’s not difficult to imagine these comparisons – such dark thoughts are too common.
Last week’s application to recognize and enjoy God’s gifts were forgotten by Monday.
We know it’s true, but we can’t break the cycle. We feel trapped in perpetual frustration.

In…

Conclusion

Admit your frustrations. That’s all the Preacher has done. He’s not exhorting, rebuking, commanding, encouraging, comforting. He’s simply cataloging his frustrations.
The Preacher wants to increase our hope by driving us to consider our despair. Can you be honest about your frustrations?
Giving voice to our deepest frustrations re-centers our hearts on God’s gift of joy.
Jesus warned of:
- The fool who “lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” Luke 12:21.
- The man who would “gain the whole world and forfeits his soul” Mark 8:36.
Learn contentment: 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17.