Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12
Enjoy the blessings of work and relationships
The writer continues his theme of the emptiness of life and its meaninglessness. He sees life as full of trouble, ‘oppression’ and ‘toil’ (4:1–6).
He speaks of the emptiness experienced by those in high positions (vv.13–16). He also speaks of the emptiness of an acquisitive life (5:16–17) and the elusive quality of desire (6:9). In the midst of this rather pessimistic and depressing view of life, he gives keys to thriving amid toil and trouble.
Work
A lack of work is a bad thing: ‘Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves’ (4:5). On the other hand, don’t work too hard: ‘Working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, “Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun?”’ (v.8, MSG).
The optimum is moderate work: ‘Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind’ (v.6). He goes on to say, ‘The sleep of labourers is sweet, whether they eat little or much’ (5:12).
Relationships
He goes on to speak of the vital importance of relationships: marriage, friendship and teams (4:9–12). First there is synergy. ‘It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth’ (v.9, MSG). Working as a team can be more efficient.
Second, there is the advantage of mutual support. ‘If they fall down, one can help the other up. But pity those who fall and have no friend to help them up!’ (v.10).
Third, there is the advantage of physical and spiritual support: ‘A cord of three strands is not quickly broken’ (v.12).
The key to a strong friendship or a strong marriage is the third cord – what the other passages for today speak of as ‘undivided devotion to the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 7:35) and ‘the fear of the Lord’ (Proverbs 19:23a).
Lord, help me to avoid unnecessary ‘toil and trouble’ and in undivided devotion to the Lord, not just to survive, but to thrive and enjoy life in all its fullness.
Pippa Adds
Ecclesiastes 4:4
‘And I saw that all labour and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another.’
This seems rather a cynical way of looking at things. Envy can be so destructive, but sometimes a little healthy competition is quite motivating!
Verse of the Day
‘… don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you’ (1 Corinthians 7:17, MSG).