Read Ecclesiastes 4
Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness
4 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed—
and they have no comforter;
power was on the side of their oppressors—
and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
who are still alive.
3 But better than both
is the one who has never been born,
who has not seen the evil
that is done under the sun.
4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5 Fools fold their hands
and ruin themselves.
6 Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Advancement Is Meaningless
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Go Deeper
King Solomon continues to explore the meaning of life. We’ve seen so far that searching for meaning in wealth, success, power, or education, will fail us. And Ecclesiastes 4 uncovers a few more places that yield no meaning: oppression, achievement, isolation, and advancement. Nothing under the sun has any ability to ever satisfy us.
Isolation and loneliness are probably not places we’re trying to get to, but sometimes they are the places in which we find ourselves. This is right where the enemy wants us – alone, isolated, and vulnerable to believing his lies. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Life Together, puts it this way, “Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more attractive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation.”
One of the best ways to beat the devil’s schemes is by surrounding yourself with other believers – people who know God and love you and love God and know you. Christian community can remind us of truth when it’s hardest for us to believe. That is a gift. And though it takes effort – community is forged, not found – there are many real and practical benefits to living in community with others. Let’s look at some that Solomon outlines for us:
- Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor (v. 9)
- If either of them falls down, one can help the other up (v. 10)
- If two lie down together, they will keep warm (v. 11)
- Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves (v. 12)
God declares, in the midst of creation, that it is not good for man to be alone. In His infinite wisdom, God created us with a need for connection. There is a safety that comes with being in community. Throughout the Proverbs, we see this idea repeated. Proverbs 11:14 (ESV) says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Solomon got it: Isolation is a danger and community is a safety, both physically and spiritually.
Questions
- Do you have community around you? Pray for them. Are you feeling isolated? Pray that God would provide godly people to surround you.
- How has your community surrounded, supported, and encouraged you in difficult times?
- Who is someone in your life that could use some encouragement today? Take a moment to reach out to them.
A Quote
“But God has put this Word into the mouth of men in order that it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of a man. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself, he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
5 responses to “Ecclesiastes 4”
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I have been to several weddings in which the bride and groom have a Bible set out for their guests to highlight their favorite verse and share a thought.
I usually highlight this verse as it illustrates the power of a couple bringing Christ into their marriage; “a threefold chord is not easily broken.”
When a husband and wife pray together, they stay together. Praise God!
Amen!
9 – 10 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.”
Love this section on the power of working together! We are better together!
Life is undeniably tough. If you leave God out of the equation, I truly don’t know how people survive. BUT GOD through His grace and mercies helps during all seasons of life, good or not so good. Adversity produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Let me tell you that some of the most godly people I know have suffered much in their life, and yet they are better, not bitter.
The gospel transforms our broken world through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, making all things new.
God I desire to live a life marked by love, faithfulness, and service, so that others see the difference and are drawn to You God by my example. Every minute of this day I want to breathe You in. God thank You for Your Holy Spirit that shows me how to bless the people in my path. God thank You for You that You quench my deepest thirst, that You are forever with me today n these minutes in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!
Throughout my life I have experienced God’s favor through biblical community. From being raised in a home that prioritized Christian values, to friendships in every season of my life that pointed me to Christ, I’ve known and valued these incredible relationships. One of these right now is a daughter who is an “iron sharpens iron” friend. Our Life Group is also a source of solid support as we travel life together. It’s truly the richest blessing and source of wisdom, comfort and peace to receive community as a gift of God.