The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1734
Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

In chapter 3 we learned that apart from God, man is no better than the beasts of the field. In fact he often imitates animals, which gives some numbskulls cause to consider evolution more carefully. For example, man often acts like a monkey, or makes an ass out of himself. He horses around a lot and pigs out on occasion. He becomes bull headed and stubborn as a mule and while he thinks he's the king of the jungle all his friends know he's a turkey. He works like a dog and then smells like skunk. But his worst characteristic is that he keeps lion about how great he is. Anyway, you get the point. And after all, we are learning from this Book of Ecclesiastes that we might as well lighten up and enjoy life along the way, right? So laugh already!

OK, feel better? That was "Time #10", from chapter 3, "a Time to Laugh. We turn a little and now it's "Time #9, a Time to Weep a little", because that which follows is a sad commentary on mankind as Solomon continues to consider all that happens "under the sun", i.e. on this earth. Don't worry though, there will come a time to laugh again, because this writer is polarized to #10.

Eccles. 4:1
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

And so there is nothing new under the sun as we see the same oppressions and tyrannies today with communism and dictatorial governments. And the tears from man's inhumanity to man flow even this very day as we read this Book of Ecclesiastes. And ultimately they all stem from the tyranny of the one great oppressor, even Satan.

But those who have read His Word know there is an end in sight, for soon the great oppressor, Satan himself, will be bound a thousand years and the tears from tyranny will cease to flow as all governments lay their crowns before the King of kings, and become subject to the kingdom of God, i.e. His government. And so we pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

[2] Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

[3] Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Those who study on a deeper level and know the status of the host of heaven, the sons of God, and that both those who have already passed through the flesh, and those still awaiting their turn, have spiritual bodies and are in heaven. So which is better, to be there, or to be here in the flesh "under the sun"? Here's Paul's answer:

2 Cor. 5:6-8
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Eccles. 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

[5] The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

So what's the conclusion? Should we work our "butts off" and participate in the "dog eat dog" road to success, or sit back on our lazy butts and waste away. The answer: If you do either one, you are a "butt head". Here is wisdom:

[6] Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

[7] Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

[8] There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

No, because he lacks wisdom. He may know how to obtain riches from Wall Street but he doesn't know how to obtain riches from the Book of Ecclesiastes. We've got some sad news for him. He's going to die just like a dog. Then what good will his riches do him? Just think, he could have enjoyed himself during his trip through the flesh.

So rather than be a loner, here's a better way to go about it.

[9] Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

[10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

[11] Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

One can also apply this verse in a figurative sense to business or other earthly endeavors. Many times I have gotten together with a partner and by sharing our thoughts we sparked a hot new idea or plan. It's a tough road going it alone.

[12] And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

[13] Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

And the rich and powerful will not be admonished! Also true! We can all give witness to that! However, the foolish king will listen to the Gallup, CNN, ABC, Newsweek, etc., polls and act accordingly. The verb "act" means to "act" as in what an "actor" does.

[14] For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

The point is, however, that even a poor child through wisdom can succeed and even become a great leader.

Eccles. 4:15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

... and on the other hand, the next generation comes along and says "get rid of the bum" (next verse).

[16] There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.