ECCLESIASTES

CHAPTERS 4 - 6

CHAPTER 4

 A Balanced Life v. 4-6

A Hard Working Fool

Competition = keeping up with the Jones's is vanity (pride, wealth, power)  This will not make you happy or satisfied

Matthew 16:26 ““For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Luke 12:15 “Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.””

rivalry - jealousy, envy, zeal, and or passion

Ecclesiastes 9:6 “Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.”

Psalm 79:5 “How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?”

Psalm 119:139 “My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.”

Proverbs 6:34 “For jealousy enrages a man, And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”

Proverbs 14:30 “A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.”

Proverbs 27:4 “Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?”

A Lazy Fool

Don’t Be lazy

Proverbs 6:10–11 ““A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.”

Proverbs 24:33–34 ““A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”

1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

don’t over work - take time to rest

two fist of labor represents hands striving to grasp as much as possible

The hand is able to relax when content. 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”

many today are driven to Hurry up, go, go, go - fast paced and always in a rush.

God instituted a day of rest for this very purpose (The Sabbath) Ex. 20:8-11 when work was actually forbidden

Even Jesus rested with his disciples. Mark 6:31 “And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”

4 Advantages Of Companionship v. 9-12

Work is more productive v. 9

their is help

work is easier and faster

There is mutual care v. 10

when one falls or fails or is discouraged there is another to lift them up

great evangelism principle. (Priscilla & Aquila, Paul & Titus, Barnabas & John Mark, Jesus sending out disciples 2 by 2)

in life we need each-other to lift or pick us up.

Warmth v. 11

drawing on an-others energy.

marriage - weather the storms

contrast the wealthy loner v. 8

Safety v. 12

lone travelers can easily be overcome (Lk. 10:25-37)

cord of three strands = you, me, & God

Accept Advice v. 13-15

the wise accept advice

Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

Proverbs 15:22 “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.”

Proverbs 20:18 “Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.”

Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

ignoring advice is a sure formula for failure

Power, position, & popularity are poor goals for a person’s life

you can’t please everyone

seek God’s approval

Galatians 1:10–12 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

CHAPTER 5

The Importance of proper worship v. 1-7

guard your steps v. 1 - don’t just come haphazardly, carelessly, without regard. Come with forethought & preparation before you enter into the presence of God to worship.

come to listen instead of speaking (teaching or negotiating)

James 1:19 “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” Habakkuk 2:20 ““But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.””

quit the babbling of your mouth & vain worship. The fool doesn’t even know this is evil.

They believe that God will accept any kind of worship, whether or not it was what He prescribed or is offered in the way He said it should be done.

They fail to prepare themselves properly for worship - whether mentally, emotionally, or physically.

They foolishly believe that God is pleased with their mindless words, so they fail to listen in humility.

Matthew 15:8–9 “‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ””

John 4:24 ““God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””

What is the sacrifice of fools v. 2ff

did not meet the divine requirements; sacrifices that involved “hasty” , thoughtless or repetitive words (5:2-3)

sacrifices that include a vow that is not kept (5:4-6)

remember your position - don’t do a great deal of talking

Matthew 6:7 ““And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”

be on guard against hasty or impulsive requests of God. Give great thought

God is great and we are finite & weak, so let your words be few (we have limited knowledge & wisdom)

THINK v. 2

think before you speak

think before acting

think of your position

think more & say less

v. 3 illustration of wasted words with his many words

vows v. 4-6

vows are not commanded in the O.T. they are voluntary. vow is an agreement proposed to God: The worshipper would do something if God would grant his/her request.

very dangerous Proverbs 20:25 “It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry.”

Jephthah (Judges 11:29-40)

better to not say a vow than to not pay

worship principle - God would rather you not worship at all than to worship incorrectly

Leviticus 10:1–2 “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”

Isaiah 1:10–15 “Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.”

Mal. 1:6-14.

It is a sin to not keep a vow v. 6

Psalm 15:4 “In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;”

he will be angry

destroy the works of your hands

Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

Dreams are nothing more than just that. They serve no useful purpose; equally the multiplication of words serves no useful purpose. v. 7

Lev. 27 vows take the following forms:

Ask for blessing with promise of return Num. 21:2,

A promise made out of gratitude or thankfulness (Jonah 2:9); Sometimes this vow is made in response to specific blessings,

A dedication of a child to be a Nazirite (1 Sam. 1:11),

A promise of allegiance or commitment (Gen. 28:20-22) and

A free-will offering based on a past vow (Lev. 22:18).

VAIN RICHES v. 10-17

7 reasons why money or wealth is vain

It cannot satisfy v. 10

It attracts a crowd of dependents v. 11

It disturbs one’s peace v. 12

It can easily be misused v. 13 see rich fool Lk. 12:13-21 & contrast 1 Tim. 6:6-11, 17-19

It can be lost v. 14

It cannot be taken beyond the grave v.15 (cf. 1 Tim. 6:7, store up… Mt. 6:19-20)

Its loss brings great suffering v. 17

darkness - misery, gloom

great vexation - if I had only done...

sickness - physical strain, suicide

anger - total disgust with himself or with those that may have been involved in his loss (1 Tim. 6:8-10 seven dangers)

ENJOYMENT OF WEALTH WITH GOD V. 18-20

Learn to enjoy what you have & what you do. Why? v. 18

it is good - a worthwhile endeavor & produces good for self, others, and most importantly God;

It is fitting - literally beautiful, it is a most satisfactory way to live. True beauty & peace will be seen in a content life

It is God’s reward - blessings from God, so be content & appreciative. (work is good Gen. 2:15; 3:17-19; 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:10)

We must keep a proper perspective on what to do with wealth, & where it came from. Wealth with God can empower one to get the most out of life.

With God there is happiness. He is thankful, glad, and at peace with all the work. (The name God is noticeably absent from v. 10-17 & occurs 4 x’s 18-20

CHAPTER 6

IMPROPER VIEW OF WEALTH V. 1-9

This person does not enjoy what God has given. Does not seem to realize that it came from God. Does not do what God wants with his wealth. Does not thank God for his wealth. v. 1

He has pampered himself with anything he desires

God removes his wealth and gives it to the foreigner (thereby removing the satisfaction of it) 12th vain thing: having wealth but failing to properly use it. v. 2

v. 3 the dissatisfied man - soul not satisfied with good things

analogy of the dissatisfied man & the miscarried child. 4 advantages

it comes in futility - vain & purposeless world

it goes into obscurity - realm of the dead

it name is covered in obscurity - never develops a reputation that future generations ridicule & mock. Never makes foolish mistakes with wealth or is dissatisfied.

it never sees the sun - never had any of the experiences of those who have lived to see the light of day.

it never knows anything - does not have to remember the bad experiences. (application to the unfulfilled man - God has given him much and he never appreciates it, so he is worse off than the one who does not experience life. A still born is free from all the suffering of the joyless rich man who has more rest than he does)

v. 6 what use is long life & good things if one is filled with dissatisfaction? lives 2,000 years & fathers a hundred child should be a blessing but he is dissatisfied.

v. 7 You work to survive and not for pleasure. You work to put food in your mouth.

...appetite… Soul is not satisfied. Man does not live on bread alone, but on the word of God. Food alone will not fulfill man’s deepest needs.

v. 8 The answer here is none. Without God there is no advantage to the wise man...before the living

… Those who have the best in life. If the poor man knows how to walk before the living (knows how to please them), it will not help him. If he spends all of his time doing this then life is gone before he knows it and he has nothing. He will not ultimately benefit from trying to please men. He will benefit from trying to please God.

v. 9 The eyes see things you can have. The soul desires things that it cannot have. There may be plenty to see but an inward longing and covetous attitude will take away from the beauty of what you do have; from what the eye sees. Our soul can lust over the beautiful women with the perfect bodies, but the eyes see the wife at home. This is what we should be satisfied with. The “grass is greener on the other side of the fence” philosophy is not good. We need to stop and smell the roses and be content with what we have. “There is no place better than where you are going or where you have been.” (cf. Phil. 4:10-12).

v. 10 You cannot dispute with God. Man has to learn to accept things. We have a phrase, “that is just the way it is,” “like it or lump it.” The moaning will not change anything.

v. 11 This is the thirteenth vain thing: using words masterfully. Words of man cannot change the world. There are some things that just are. Smooth words cannot change the sun’s rising can they? Your fluency and delivery may be perfect on why it should not rise, but it will. The one thing words might do, however, is increase the futility of life for mankind.

v. 12 What is really valuable in this day of life? A person has been given just a little bit of time and he will get the most out of it. This is the attitude that we need to have

...like a shadow… No substance or value. He is on the stage of life with his one act play. He has a few years. How is he going to use them? To the profit? To the squander?

...under the sun… No man has enough wisdom to explain what is worth living for and what will come after death. No man has this wisdom inside him. Do not let the TV commercials or any man tell us what the good life is. Man does not know.

Michael Eaton - “The preacher is slamming every door but the door of faith.” The door of riches and man’s wisdom have been slammed shut. None of these doors will give the answer. But he turns to the door of faith. Let God teach man the true value of living.