<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Chapter Four OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To reflect upon the Preacher's observations gleaned from his search for the purpose of life under the sun 2) To consider the vanity of skillful work, isolation, and popularity 3) To appreciate the value of friendship and working together SUMMARY The Preacher continues to share his observations gleaned during the course of his search for the purpose of life under the sun. Earlier he related the injustice he saw (cf. 3:16). Now we are told how he considered those who were oppressed with no comforter. In such a state, he concluded the dead were better than the living, and better than both was to never be born (1-4). The Preacher then describes what he saw as the vanity of toil and skillful work, especially when one is alone. While one who does nothing is a fool and consumes his own flesh, it is better to have a little with quietness than a lot with much toil. A grave misfortune is the person with no companion, son, nor brother, who labors endlessly for riches that do not satisfy and does not consider who will receive that for which he deprives himself of much good in life. On the other hand, the Preacher saw great value in friendship. He illustrates the principle of synergy in their work and how they can help one another in times of need (5-12). The chapter closes with an illustration of the vanity of popularity. While a young and wise man who becomes king may be popular at first, with the passing of time he is not appreciated by those who come along later (13-16). OUTLINE I. THE OPPRESSION OF MEN (4:1-3) A. WHAT THE PREACHER REVIEWED (1) 1. He considered the oppression done under the sun 2. He saw the tears of the oppressed, who had no comforter 3. He observed power on the side of the oppressors B. WHAT THE PREACHER REASONED (2-3) 1. He praised the dead more than the living 2. Better than both is the person who: a. Has never existed b. Has not seen the evil work done under the sun II. THE VANITY OF TOIL AND SKILLFUL WORK (4:4-6) A. IT BREEDS ENVY IN OTHERS (4) 1. He saw that toil and skillful labor is envied by others 2. This too is vanity and grasping for wind B. TWO WAYS TO REACT TO THIS VANITY (5-6) 1. The fool does nothing, and consumes his own flesh 2. It is better to have a little with quietness III. THE VANITY OF ISOLATION (4:7-12) A. THE VANITY OF BEING ALONE (7-8) 1. He saw more vanity under the sun 2. A person who was alone, without companion, son, or brother a. With no end to his labors, with no satisfaction with his riches b. Who does not consider for whom he labors and deprives himself of good 3. This was vanity and a grave misfortune B. THE VALUE OF FRIENDS (9-12) 1. Two are better than one, for they have good reward for their labor 2. If one falls, the other can lift him up 3. Their combined body heat can keep them warm 4. They can withstand one who would seek to overpower them 5. A threefold cord is not quickly broken IV. THE VANITY OF POPULARITY (4:13-16) A. A TALE OF TWO MEN (13-15) 1. It is better to be a poor and wise youth, than an old and foolish king who will not accept criticism 2. For the young man, though born poor, comes out of prison to become king and the living were with him B. YET POPULARITY IS SHORT-LIVED (16) 1. The young king might rule over a populous nation 2. But another generation will arise that will not rejoice in him REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER 1) What are the main points of this chapter? - The oppression of men (1-3) - The vanity of toil and skillful work (4-6) - The vanity of isolation (7-12) - The vanity of popularity (13-16) 2) What did the Preacher observe regarding oppression? (1) - Power was on the side of the oppressor, the oppressed had no comforter 3) What did this observation prompt the Preacher to do? (2-3) - Praise the dead more than the living - Reason that better than both was never to be born 4) What did he observe about toil and skillful work? (4) - It prompted envy from one's neighbor - It too was vanity and grasping for the wind 5) How does he describe the fool who doesn't work? (5) - As one who folds his hands and consumes his own flesh 6) What is better than both hands full, but with toil and grasping for the wind? (6) - A handful with quietness 7) What is described as vanity and a grave misfortune? (7-8) - One who is alone, who labors endlessly for riches that do not satisfy - Who never considers for whom he is toiling and depriving himself of much good 8) How does the Preacher illustrate the value of friendship? (9-12) - Two working together accomplish more (the principle of synergy) - Having someone to help you if you fall - Surviving a cold night by sharing body heat - Two can withstand one - A threefold cord is not easily broken 9) How does the Preacher illustrate the vanity of popularity? (13-16) - With the example of a youth who becomes king, but as he gets older he is not appreciated by the people who come afterward<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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