THE OVERCOMER IN ECCLESIASTES - CHAPTERS 4, 5 & 6
THE OVERCOMER IN ECCLESIASTES
Chapters 4, 5, & 6
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
Tuesday, July 28, 20
As we continue to follow the Preacher’s sermon, we will keep our focus on the problem he exposes, and outline of his solution. He lays his foundation critiques secularism, pragmatism, and the viewpoint of the pessimist. The theme of the book (“vanity of vanities; all is vanity”) is figurative for something transitory and unsatisfactory or to lead astray.
It is beyond my literary skills to trace a clear and consecutive argument in the next few chapters. He sticks to the subject but seems to chase rabbits with Proverbs of short sayings dealing with various aspects of life.
If there is any unity of thought, it would be the wisdom of making the most of life’s varied circumstances by learning to accept, be at peace, and be happy regardless of our circumstances.
The middle section of Ecclesiastes is a guide to life “under the sun,” (carnal) as compared with the viewpoint of faith (spiritual).
This is why when I would read Ecclesiastes in my early years, I would be depressed. I was still a carnal Christian. I can now rejoice in the awesome Glory of the Wisdom of God vs. the wisdom of carnal man. It seems I duked these aspects of life out in my soul in my late 20's and early 30's. For me, it was settled long ago that the only thing of lasting value in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
4: 4-16: Various examples are now given to illustrate the uselessness of so much of man’s hard work (workaholic).
(1) There is the case of the man who can never relax and enjoy his work because he is continually driving himself in order to be ahead of his competitors.
(2) Another does not work at all and ultimately destroys himself.
(3) Both extremes should be avoided.
Better that a man be relaxed and enjoy what he does than drive himself on my ambition only to create difficulties for himself.
Another unhappy example is that of the man who lives alone without family or friends and wears himself out making money. He himself has no time to enjoy the fruits of his labors and he has no dependants who will enjoy them after him.
Various proverbs are added to show that one who cuts himself off from others is really harming himself, for co-operation with others increases a person’s security.
Probably no one experiences the futility of achievement more than the great man who falls from power. He may have risen from poverty and imprisonment to overthrow a long established king who, because he would no longer listen to advice, had become a fool in his old age.
Yet even his brilliant youth will find that the acclaim with which he was greeted by his subjects will not last for ever. When he is dead, he will soon be forgotten.
4:4: Envy: rivalry: that spurred a man to greater output and a higher quality of work is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Here he is dealing with mankind’s attitude toward life.
4:5: If he folds his hands “twiddles his thumbs”, he ruins himself and starves, then that too is vanity and vexation of spirit.
4:8-12: The dominant note in this chapter is the need of companionship. Successive units deal with oppression without comforters; work that is lonely; the man without the companionship of family and friends; the need for companionship; and then a brief glimpse of a lonely king. This reflects the evils of society apart from faith. There are many who are victims of broken homes. If mankind would seek after the Lord and his ways, then we would heal our society.
4:13-16: is probably best understood as a parable, a typical ‘rags to riches’ story, though many suggestions have been made as to the historical identity of the people involved. (Vs.14) “For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.” This is presumably the kingdom into which the youth was born and which he was destined to rule. The second youth, not a third person introduced into the story is the old man’s successor.
4:16: “There is no end at all of the people… This refers to the endless cycle of generations, a man’s fame is nothing; those who come before him do not know of it and those who come after him have forgotten.
In my generation, probably the most famous person was Elvis Presley. I recently heard someone mention his name to a young person. Their reply was, “He must have been a very famous person.” They had a vague recognition of his name.
5: 1-10; 20: it is natural since our preacher is taking on all of these aspects of life that he would deal with religion. First he warns against thoughtless participation in temple rituals. This must have been far ahead of his time. The person is a fool who offers a sacrifice without either an understanding of what he is doing or a desire to learn the implications of his religion.
A person thinking of making a vow must consider his vow carefully before pronouncing it before the Almighty. Too many words will lead to a foolish vow just as too much work will lead to a night of foolish dreams. Vows are not compulsory, but once made they have to be carried out. Making excuses to the temple officials about a broken vow will not help a person escape God’s punishment; the more reason to fear God and avoid irresponsible speech.
Many ministries will ask you to make a pledge or a “vow”. I will give generously from my heart, but I will not make a pledge. I don’t believe it is pleasing to the Lord. It places the gift under the law and not under Grace.
In previous chapters, God has been mentioned, but here the preacher is asking can God be approached? He exhorts his hearers and assumes, that yes, God can be approached, can be addressed in prayer, and will receive our vows. He says---
5:1: Guard your steps…Be careful! Remember, you are gong to worship God. “Listen”: implying understanding.
It is not uncommon for an author to quote a current proverb in its entirety.
5: 8-6: 12) The Preacher now moves on to note the dangers created by greed for money, and points out that the imagined benefits of wealth, sometimes ill-gotten, sometimes ill-used, are but an illusion. To begin with he cites corruption in government. Each official extorts as much as he can, since other officials in the echelons above him are waiting for their ‘cut’ from the proceeds.
This same approach has a strong hold in the Harlot Church System of today.
It is therefore not surprising that the poor and defenseless suffer most from such a system. Since all cultivated land is subject to royal taxes, the grasping officials have ample opportunity to grab their share of the profits.
Yet wealth does not satisfy or make one happy. The more a carnal man has, the more he wants. The rich man sees his prosperity build up only to be spent on others. He lies awake at night worrying while the laborer sleeps soundly. He may even lose his accumulated wealth in an unsuccessful business venture, ending up with nothing to pass on to his son in spite f a lifetime of hard work.
Life is short and a man should find enjoyment in the things God has given him---food, family, possessions, home and work. This is God’s will. The Joy comes from him.
However, not all who have the wherewithal can enjoy it. A person who has all the good things of life may die without having enjoyed them and someone else gains the benefit.
In chapter six, the Preacher now gives a series of sketches showing the limitations of money. Wealth does not guarantee its own enjoyment; a man may live to his prime with a flourishing family, but still die unsatisfied and unmourned. Better never to have lived than to have lived discontented. Death is inevitable (to the carnal mind), no matter how slow in coming. Man’s longings are insatiable.
The golden rule of the earth; whoever has the gold rules! The Preacher says there is a higher way to live.
Chapter six is filled with the contradictions of life. Consider the man who has wealth but not health. He lacks the power to eat, and knows not the sweetness of sleep. Another is that a man may have prosperity, but not posterity, so that a stranger eats at his prosperity. The next man has a large family but he has not friends. It is not what one has but what one is that matters. Then there is the man who loses the known in seeking the unknown. As the Preacher expressed it here, it is better to have and enjoy what you see, than to have a desire that wanders after every imagination and so goes through life with no substance.
6:9) “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; Wandering her is to go forth or to walk (wild nature). (Better aim at what lies in view than hanker after what you cannot see).
John 8:12: “Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Conventional wisdom taught that he who fulfils God’s will is happy; Ecclesiastes teaches that he who is happy is fulfilling God’s will.
The preacher has thus far slammed every door, but the door of Faith.
The Preacher introduces in chapter 7 the value of wisdom in an imperfect world.
He uses a series of proverbs, some borrowed and others his own. The author faces up to the realities of life and makes some suggestions. He realizes that life has to be lived in spite of its misfortunes, and to expect perfection is to invite disappointment. He therefore recommends attitudes which will help a person to accept life’s circumstances, for better or for worse, and make the most of them.
A good reputation is desirable, but can never be permanently secured until the person has completed life satisfactorily. His death day, then, is more important than his birthday. It is the climax of his life; his good name is at last safe.
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
Bibliography: F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary by: Donald C. Fleming and excerpts from Principles of Present Truth by: Kelly Varner.
Scripture quotes from K.J.V.
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