Ecclesiastes 4-6
Ecclesiastes 4
4:5–6 Two apparently contradictory proverbs are inserted in juxtaposition. The first (v. 5) is a traditional wisdom saying—the fool consumes himself by laziness. That is, laziness is sure to bring poverty. The second (v. 6) states that it is better to have a few things (one handful) and yet be satisfied and happy than to have many things (two handfuls) and yet be consumed with work and worries. The Teacher steers away from both idleness and slavery to work.
Ecclesiastes 5
Ecclesiastes 6
What a seeming tragedy it is to have all the resources for a satisfying life and yet not be able to enjoy them for one reason or another. More than one person has worked hard and looked forward to a comfortable retirement only to have a heart attack and become either an invalid or a statistic. Or perhaps the peace of retirement is shattered by a crisis in the family that begins to drain both money and strength. Why do these things happen?
Solomon mentioned this subject in 5:19 and hinted at it in 3:13. To him, it was a basic principle that nobody can truly enjoy the gifts of God apart from the God who gives the gifts. To enjoy the gifts without the Giver is idolatry, and this can never satisfy the human heart. Enjoyment without God is merely entertainment, and it doesn’t satisfy. But enjoyment with God is enrichment and it brings true joy and satisfaction.