Eclesiastes 4

Eclesiastes 4

Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" Oppressors (06231) ashaq means to oppress, to extort, to defraud. The root word is concerned with acts of abuse of power or authority, the burdening, trampling, and crushing of those lower in station (half the uses are in the context of poverty). Ashaq speaks of harshness or roughness and often embodies use of force or violence. Ashaq is used especially of oppression of the disadvantaged members of society causing them to suffer unjust, ill treatment and, in a number of contexts, doing so for monetary gain (1Ch 16:21; Job 10:3; Ps 72:4; 105:14; 119:121, 122; Pr 14:31; 22:16; 28:3; Eccl 4:1; Isa 23:12; 52:4; Jer 7:6; 21:12; Ezek 22:29; Am 4:1; Zec 7:10). The connection between ashaq and divine justice is made clear in Ps 103:6. The use in Proverbs is instructive showing that oppression of the poor affects God, for "He who oppresses (Lxx = sukophanteo = put pressure on someone for personal gain - Lk 19:8 = "defrauded"; Lk 3:14 = accuse falsely, bring false charges, blackmail; more generally harass, oppress) the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him." (Pr 14:31; cp Pr 22:16, 28:3 which are also translated in Lxx with sukophanteo) Ashaq appears seven times with gazal ("rob"; Lev 6:2, Dt 28:29) and five times with ratsats which has the basic meaning of crush, break in pieces, or oppress (Dt 28:33, 1Sa 12:3-4, Hos 5:11, Am 4:1). Monetarily oriented meanings are extort (defraud) (Lev 6:2), oppress (with false balances - Hos 12:7), exploit ("oppress the sojourner" = Ezek 22:29), and rob (Mic 2:2). Ashaq describes a river raging (Job 40:23), women who are crushed (ravished) (Isa 23:12) and a murderer whose conscience is burdened or tormented ("laden with guilt" = Pr 28:17). The psalmist prays for relief from his oppressors (Ps 119:121-122). Comfort (console) (05162) naham/nacham is a verb which means to be sorry, to pity, to console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted, to get revenge for oneself (Ge 27:42, Ezek 5:13). According to the TWOT nacham reflects the idea of "breathing deeply" and hence refers to the physical display of one's feelings, such as sorrow, or in this case compassion or comfort. Nacham occurs in (Ps 23:4) where David writes "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." The Septuagint renders nacham in Ru 2:13 with the Greek verb parakaleo (para = beside + kaleo = call) which has the basic picture of calling someone to oneself (very apropos with Boaz treatment of Ruth!), to call to one's side, to encourage, to instill someone with courage or cheer and so to comfort (used this way in Mt 5:4+, cp Lk 16:25+). Ecclesiastes 4:1-8 Emptiness at the Top In this text Solomon exposes the emptiness of many who make it to the top. This is not a plea for mediocrity. The problem with the people he’s talking about soon becomes clear; they have no fear of the Lord. For people like this, tyranny can become a calling card. Since they view people as pawns, it’s easy for the powerful to become abusive. Sadly, those whom they oppress often have no one to help or comfort them (v.1). Their lot is so painful Solomon concludes that the dead or unborn are better off than the oppressed. If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because these verses capture much of the history of the human race. That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for compassion. Another reason many successful people feel empty is that they see others as competitors to be beaten rather than as companions to be embraced. It isn’t easy to make friends under those conditions. That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for companionship. The overachiever can also feel empty because success may bring with it a pack of problems he hadn’t expected. For these people, Solomon’s advice in verse 6 is worth heeding. That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for contentment. Solomon’s final picture (vv. 7-8) is a sad one: a successful person alone with his money. Yet his loneliness and frustration drive him even harder. A person like that needs help! That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for cessation—knowing when enough is enough. (Today in the Word) Ecclesiastes 4:1-8 The Rat Race Godliness with contentment is great gain. --1 Timothy 6:6 A sign by the roadside carried this message: "I'm getting sick of the rat race. The rats keep getting bigger and faster." Many men and women, no doubt, feel that way. In spite of amazing advances in technology, people's frustration level seems as high or higher than ever. The core problem is that sinful human nature hasn't changed. Almost 3,000 years ago, Solomon made three insightful observations about the rat race of life in his day. First, he said that a desire to outdo one's peers was the motive behind much human industriousness, and this was a no-win situation (Eccl. 4:4). Second, those who dropped out of the rat race became lazy and unproductive. This kind of idleness is foolish and self-destructive (v.5). Third, Solomon said that people became so obsessed with making money that they didn't form healthy relationships. This made them go through life without purpose or meaning, never satisfied with all they had worked for (v.8). The secret of contentment is To let the Lord supply; Just do your part and put God first And on His Word rely. --DJD He is rich who is satisfied with what God has given. Ray Pritchard - - Something New Under the Sun BROKEN HEARTS ON EVERY CORNER Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 I have a friend who serves as a missionary in a third-world country. Not long ago he and his family had to evacuate their home because of political unrest. Rebel forces swept the countryside, denouncing the corruption of the present regime and promising that things would change if they came to power. There would be food for all, good jobs, and economic prosperity. In due course the rebels overthrew the government and became the new leaders. What s it like now? A little bit worse. No one has a job, the average per capita income is less than a dollar a day, and all those rosy promises have been forgotten. To borrow a phrase from American politics, the pigs are still at the trough, only the skinny ones have replaced the fat ones. Otherwise, nothing has changed. Solomon saw similar oppression and bemoaned the corruption of his day. The poor were so downtrodden that it would be better if they had never been born. Job felt the same way (Job 3:3-10). Because God is sovereign, we know that He will eventually win the battle with Satan. And God lives outside time; the victory is already won in eternity. From our perspective the battle rages all around us, and all too often the bad guys seem to be winning. A friend whose marriage broke up because of infidelity has grown enormously in her faith, but one question troubles her mind: Why is her ex-husband doing so well? He seems to be so happy despite his sin. Why doesn't God judge him? It looks to her as if he's gotten away scot-free. I reminded her that every football game has four quarters. It doesn't matter who's winning in the middle of the second quarter or at the end of the third quarter. The only thing that matters is who's winning at the end of the game. I told her that as far as God is concerned, we're still in the second quarter. In the end her ex-husband will reap what he sowed. He will live to regret his sin, and if he doesn't regret it in this life, he certainly will regret it in the next. This principle applies in every situation where we wonder if truth and justice will prevail. God's sovereignty guarantees the ultimate victory of good over evil. It's just that God's timetable and ours aren't the same. Lord, if I can’t change the whole world, help me to improve my little corner. Amen. SHINING THE LIGHT Have you ever personally experienced injustice? What did you do about it? What good things happen when Christians get involved in the problems of others? What could you be doing to make a difference? MORE LIGHT FROM GOD'S WORD Read Exodus 23:1-9; Obadiah 10-15; and Matthew 25:40. F B