Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading

Introduction (v.7)

Solomon begins this portion of our text with his typical introductory statement:

7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

There is no shortage of meaninglessness under this sun!!

What Solomon is going to go on to outline in this passage are the dangers of isolation.

1.

The Misery of Isolation in Work (v.8)

1.1.

The Observation

We begin in verse 8 by seeing Solomon's observation of an isolated man...

"There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother."

Solomon's description of this man that he is considering is that the man was all alone.

Literally, the word that is used there for "all alone" means that there was no second... there was no one coming after him...

He refers specifically to "son" and "brother"

The reason that he refers to these two is because the context of his argument in verse 8 is that of work - of generating an income.

The fact is that he is working hard to amass great income and wealth for himself, but he has no one to leave his wealth to.

There is not even an heir to take over that which he is working for.

This is a man (yes, perhaps an extreme case) who is so devoted to the accumulation of wealth, that there is no time for family.

In fact, family is not even a thought for him.

1.2.

The Problem

"There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth."

The man is labouring away, toiling hard.

In fact, there is no end to his toil.

But the work that he's doing is self-centred toil.

His goal is self-advancement, and self-development, and gaining for himself.

But as he continues to work, he's never content with his wealth.

This is a man who lives in covetousness.

This man lives a life of coveting the riches in the world around him that he thinks he can gain for himself.

This is the idolatry of wealth in the world.

Proverbs 27:20

20 Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

While this man’s case is an extreme one, we should not assume that we are not tempted to live with a similar mindset.

Here is the nature of man... we are so often those who are not satisfied.

We strive for more in our lives.

We strive for the things that will bring contentment, but really we're looking for contentment in all the wrong places.

There was no end to his toil.... long days, perhaps long into the night...

With no second… no one to take over that which he is accumulating.

On other words, he has no time for family or relationships.

“For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"

This leads to the question... "for whom am I toiling...?"

This is the way the NIV puts it.

If you look at the ESV / NASB / KJV etc. they say "he never asks the question..."

That phrase "never asks the question" is not in the original... so it's really an interpretation issue.

But be that as it may, the question is posed to demonstrate to the reader that this man is so involved and caught up in his work that he is unable to give any thought to any other person.

In the mean time, he deprives himself of any enjoyment in life, even of that which he is gaining.

Even the wealth that he is making is not bringing him any kind of enjoyment.

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus told the parable of the rich fool...

Turn with me there in your Bibles...

1.3.

The Conclusion

This is the story of the man who Solomon sees building a fortune for himself.

In the end, this too is meaningless— a miserable business!

This man has had no place for God within his life - God is drowned out and displaced due to an incessant burden of needing to work.

This man has had no place for other people in his life - others would only have been a hindrance to his own objectives of obtaining more wealth.

We must ask, are we not tempted at times to drown out God from life because of the continuous need to be involved in work, or other life responsibilities.

Is our life so busy (even with important things) that God doesn’t fit into our schedule?

Do you recall the account of Mary and Martha?

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus.

Martha was busy doing what was needed in life.

She was doing important chores… like preparing a meal...

But Jesus has to tell her that she has her priorities wrong.

She didn’t have time to sit at the feet of her Saviour, because she was worried about less important things.

We must also ask, how much do our relationships suffer in life because of our busy-ness?

If we have no time to spend with our family, because our work is so important, and there’s just so much to do, perhaps we need to be reconsidering our commitments.

2. The Misery of Isolation in Hardships (vv.9-12)

2.1.

Observation (v.9)

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

The context is already set by looking at the man who works only for himself.

His life is focused only on accumulating for himself.

His life is focused on his own ambitions and endeavours.

But Solomon has noted that such a life is meaningless.

And that leads to this consideration that two are better than one.

The reason that he gives in the observation is that they have a good return for their work.

But we should not limit our understanding merely to the work situation, and the benefit of a greater return at work.

Certainly, that is a basic reality.

If you have people working together on a team, striving towards a goal, very often the overall productivity of the two combined will achieve far greater benefit than if the two worked individually.

But Solomon looks beyond that and gives 3 different practical examples or scenarios in order to drive his point home.

The argument that Solomon is making here is that isolation is not good.

On the other hand, companionship is good.

It is good for a person to be in relationship, and to have others around for their benefit.

One commentator writes this:

“The Lord who alone is self-sufficient, has not given to any one such a measure of light or strength, as can put them beyond the necessity of making use of others; but would have every one to seek help from, and every one willing to give help to, others; Therefore is society here commended, Two are better than One.” (Alexander Nisbet)

2.2.

A Friend for when you fall (v.10)

10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

This is the first practical example that Solomon gives.

If you fall and are injured or weakened to a point that you are unable to help yourself up, then you need a friend alongside you in order to help you.

A practical example of this is my grandmother.... in an old-age facility - fell down and broke her hip, and wasn't able to help herself up.

But we can extend this picture further, to all kinds of scenarios in the world.

Very often in life, people are knocked down metaphorically by the trials and troubles in this world.

Perhaps a family member greatly disappoints you... does something that causes immense harm or emotional stress in your life... do you feel knocked down in life because of this.

Perhaps there is a relational hardship in your closest relationships, and the places where you previously would have obtained comfort and support are now the very places where the struggles are found.

Some people find themselves in financially troubling times, and they don't know where they are going to find the means to get through the struggle.

There are many life circumstances which lead people to spiraling downward and into a place of distress, weariness, helplessness and great darkness.

If one in is such a place, I would suggest to you that it is nearly impossible for them to work their way out of that place without someone coming alongside them and helping them up.

"Pity the man" says Solomon "who falls and has no one to help him up!"

There is great misery in hardships as it is.

But there is far greater misery when you have to face those hardships alone.

One of the great benefits of the church, this spiritual community is that we are to care for one another in those hardships.

2.3.

A Friend for when you're cold (v.11)

The second example is that of a friend for when you're cold.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.