Ecclesiastes 5 & 6

Looks like two unrelated things…or are they?

Thoughts? Suggestions 1 Cor 10:23-4, 31; Col. 3:17; Matt. 5:16, Rom. 11:36, Jer. 9:23-4. Philippians 4:19

Authentic Religion, vv. 1-7

Caution flag in v. 1: Approach God carefully and with humility—not with arrogance: “isn’t God lucky to have me on His team!”

Don’t be a fool, 1 Sam 15:22; Prov 21:27; Isa 1:11–20, Matt 5:37

V. 2 highlights the great difference between Almighty God and sinful man 1 Kgs 8:27–30; Psa 115:16

In light of that, the perspective of the voice of the fool and failing to fulfil vows in a timely manner or claiming a mistake Prov 18:6–7, 17:28; Num 30:2; Prov. 20:25; Deut.23:21-23;

Allowance made for legit mistakes in Lev. 4:27-31, but not claimed mistakes “ooops! Sorry Lord, heh, heh….”

Footnote on messenger…could be angel, or it could be one who serves in the temple

Closes out with “Fear God!” dread, reverence, to be in awe; Pitcher paraphrase: a sense of knee-knocking, nervous, wondrous awe (song: I can only imagine)

A Transitional Thought

No direct linkage to religion or wealth in vv. 8-9; but return to linking verses in opening--

Two concepts here: oppression, lack of justice and righteousness and the value of a king who works for the prosperity of his kingdom

Once again we see the “more things change...” concept

We may be comforted by the thought that leaders will ultimately be held accountable

God’s Perspective on Wealth

In vv. 10-12, lack of satisfaction in wealth, inability of the wealth to satisfy, the consumption of the person due to pursuit of wealth

Does that make wealth itself evil? 1 Tim 6:10, Hebrews 13:5

We do see it played out in life

We have the loss due to bad business venture in vv. 13-17; seems to link directly to that pursuit of wealth for the sake of wealth—love of money—the vanity of striving for the wealth with nobody with whom to share it

Work hard to retire in luxury…and loneliness

In v. 15 we get a link to Job 1:21…you can’t take it with you

In vv. 18-19 we see the better purpose of our toil—even the toils of life are a gift from God

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

The content person enjoys life without being preoccupied with accumulating wealth or possessions

Moving into chapt. 6, we see the weight of wealth

In v. 1, “evil” (ra’ah) can be thought of as harm, misery, discomfort or misfortune; grievous (h’lh), in v.2, a sense of pain, sickening or weakening—thus a sickening, painful misery

If there is no satisfaction in life, there is no joy in wealth or prosperity

Better to have been stillborn than to live in miserable wealth

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 6

6:1 Here is another misfortune The Hebrew word ra’ah can refer to misfortune or disaster, as well as to something that is morally evil. See note on 2:21.

under the sun Refers to all life on the earth.

6:2 does not enable him to enjoy it Like the situation described in 5:19, God has given this person wealth and possessions—even honor. However, the person lacks the ability to enjoy these gifts, rendering them useless.

someone else Perhaps due to a financial loss (5:14) or because they have been left to someone else (2:21).

6:3 a hundred children Numerous children were considered to be a blessing. See Psa 127:3 and note.

is not satisfied with his prosperity Wealth, long life, and posterity do not guarantee satisfaction in life.

he does not receive a proper burial Receiving a proper burial was important in the OT. See note on Eccles 8:10.

stillborn The author repeats that it would be better to have not been born. In 4:3, this claim is related to the prevalence of oppression in life. Here, it references the inability to enjoy wealth and prosperity.

6:6 both suffer the same fate Death is the final equalizer. See note on Eccles 2:15; see note on 3:20.

6:7 his appetite is never satisfied Laboring for things to consume and to accumulate wealth are portrayed as unsatisfying throughout Ecclesiastes (e.g., 5:10–12, 17; 4:7–8; 6:2).

6:8 wise really have an advantage over fools The author does not claim that wisdom is equal to folly; he has already established that wisdom is superior to folly. Since both wisdom and folly end in death, the wise have no advantage over fools (2:12–17).

6:9 for your soul to constantly crave more The word nephesh can mean “soul” or “life” as well as “throat” or “appetite.” Here, it is best seen in parallel with “sight of the eyes” and should be understood as “throat” or “appetite.”

Old Testament Anthropology

is vanity and chasing wind See 1:2 and note; 2:17 and note.

6:10 he cannot argue against A statement contrasting God’s supremacy with humanity’s limitation. God has already set an appropriate time for everything; people cannot change His timing (3:11–14).

6:11 Increasing words only multiplies futility Since human wisdom is limited, the more words are spoken, the more senseless they are in trying to understand the work of God (3:11; 8:17). This epilogue echoes this in stating there is no end to wearisome study. The term hevel (“vanity”) indicates senselessness or absurdity.

6:12 as a shadow A common expression used to illustrate the brevity of life (Job 8:9; 14:2; Pss 102:11; 109:23; 144:4).