Download Study Materials

1st – Cruel life… vs. 1-3

  • 1st – No comforter… vs. 1
    • Hard life…
      • Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun!
      • Since Solomon could NOT see what would happen after DEATH…
      • He went back [שׁוּב] to what he could SEE [רָאָה] – under the SUN…
      • And what he SAW was NOT good – he saw ALL [כָּל] of the OPPRESSION…
      • OPPRESSION [עֲשׁוּקִים] – 3x in OT – to extort or take advantage of others…
      • What Solomon saw was a CRUEL world where people took advantage of the less fortunate!
    • The oppressed…
      • Look! The tears of the oppressed – but they have no comforter.
      • On the side of their oppressors there is power – but they have no comforter!
      • He challenges us to LOOK – because it has NOT changed…
      • We can still see the TEAR [singular] of the OPPRESSED [עֲשׁוּקִים]
      • And there is NEVER [אִין] anyone to COMFORT [piel] them [repeated twice]
      • Because [וּ] all of the power lies in the HANDS [יָד] of the ones who OPPRESS!
      • When satan came to temp Jesus – he offered him the whole world – Matthew 4:9
      • Jesus did NOT argue that satan had the power to give it to Him…
      • Because when Adam and Eve sinned – they gave the world to satan – II Corinthians 4:4
      • When the WICKED prosper – and the RIGHTEOUS suffer…
      • We look and know the world is UPSIDE down – something is very WRONG…
      • The problem is all the POWER is in the hands of those who are WICKED…
      • We live in a FALLEN world – because satan is the one currently in charge! 
  • 2nd – Better off dead… vs. 2
    • Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead – more than the living who are still alive!
    • As a result of the world being RULED by those who OPPRESS [wicked]
    • Solomon concluded it was BETTER to be DEAD [מוּת] than ALIVE [חַי]
    • The logic being the DEAD can no longer be OPPRESSED – they are set FREE…
    • Solomon is NOT saying we should end our own lives – he just saw DEATH as an end to suffering!
    • Sadly there are people who come to the same conclusion…
    • They look for answers UNDER the sun – and when they realize there are NONE…
    • They conclude the best answer is to END their life – END their suffering!
    • The problem is – this is not our life – we belong to God – I Corinthians 6:19
    • God and God alone has the right to decide when our time here is over…
    • Suicide is a completely selfish act – it is the EASY way out of difficult times…
    • Leaving behind everyone else – loved ones – to suffer through the consequences…
    • And while I do not THINK that those who commit suicide automatically go to hell…
    • Sin does NOT keep us out of heaven – it is rejecting Jesus that sends us to hell…
    • The Bible also does NOT say – and we do NOT want a question mark when we enter eternity!
  • 3rd – Never born… vs. 3
    • Yet better than both is he who has never existed.
    • Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun!
    • Solomon took it one step farther – better [טֽוֹב] to NOT [לֹא] have been born…
    • Because then we would NOT have seen the EVIL [הָרָע] that is under the SUN…
    • The EVIL [singular] – is talking about ONE particular EVIL…
    • Presumably the fact that life has NO meaning – NO purpose – under the SUN!
    • Since life is CRUEL – because power is in the hands of the WICKED…
    • And there is NO meaning to life – we LIVE – we SUFFER – then we DIE…
    • It is logical to say that it would be BETTER to have never been born…
    • Because otherwise – the best people can hope for is to dull the pain with drugs or alcohol…
    • Or be distracted with mindless entertainment – as they wait for their miserable lives to end…
    • This is the SAD conclusion for anyone who looks for answers UNDER the SUN!
  • 2nd – Be Content… vs. 4-6
    • 1st – Working hard… vs. 4
      • Again I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. 
      • This also is vanity and grasping for the wind!
      • Solomon also SAW [רָאָה] that when a man worked [כָּל] very HARD – and was [כָּל] very SKILLED…
      • His SUCCESS – [כִּי] caused him to be ENVIED by his NEIGHBOR…
      • But ENVY – is also [גַּם] MEANINGLESS [הֶבֶל] – like chasing the WIND!
      • When parents try and MOTIVE their kids to do well in SCHOOL…
      • They tend to point to SUCCESSFUL people – to INSPIRE them…
      • But what they are really doing is feeding a LIE – work hard because MONEY is the answer…
      • And in the end – they plant in their children the seed of ENVY!
      • James 3:16 – “Where envy and self-seeking exist – confusion and every evil thing are there.”
    • 2nd – Laziness… vs. 5
      • The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh!
      • The opposite of HARD work is LAZINESS…
      • And Solomon saw it was ALSO foolishness [כְּסִיל]
      • The person who just FOLDS their hands – does NOT work…
      • Will end up with NO food – and eat his own flesh [starve]!
      • There are those who REJECT the lie that life is about SUCCESS…
      • But they are still stuck looking UNDER the SUN – so they become POOR bums!
      • II Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone will not work – neither shall he eat.”
    • 3rd – Balance… vs. 6
      • Better a handful with quietness. 
      • Than both hands full together with toil and grasping for the wind!
      • Therefore – it is BETTER [טֽוֹב] to have a balance…
      • Work so that we have enough to fill ONE hand [daily needs]
      • But NOT wasting our time trying to fill BOTH hands – like having more is the answer…
      • Because the meaning of life cannot be found in how much we have – grasping for the WIND!
      • Luke 12:15 – “Life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
      • Working hard – thinking MONEY or THINGS are going to make us happy – is grasping the wind…
      • But at the same time we are required to work [curse] – Genesis 3:18
      • Because we often find that ERRORS lie in EXTREMES…
      • Where the TRUTH is found in the BALANCE in between!
  • 3rd – Power of Friendship… vs. 7-12
    • 1st – All alone… vs. 7-8
      • Never satisfied… vs. 7-8
        • Then I returned and I saw vanity under the sun.
        • There is one alone – without companion: He has neither son nor brother.
        • Yet there is no end to all his labors – nor is his eye satisfied with riches!
        • When Solomon went back [שׁוּב] to what he could SEE [רָאָה] – under the SUN…
        • There was a THIRD thing he was that was MEANINGLESS [הֶבֶל] in the world…
        • He saw someone who was NEVER [אִין] married – NEVER [אִין] had children…
        • Had NO family [brother] – yet NEVER [אִין] stopped working…
        • But [גַּם] – no matter how much money they made he was NOT [לֹא] satisfied!
        • It turns out we are VERY bad at answering the question – HOW much is enough…
        • How much desert – how much sleep – how much money…
        • The problem seems to be no matter how much – we still want more!
      • No purpose… vs. 8
        • But he never asks: For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?
        • This also is vanity and a grave misfortune!
        • BUT [וּ] – this person does not stop and ask WHY [מִי]
        • What are they working for – and TAKING [piel] from their SPIRIT [נֶפֶשׁ] what is GOOD [טֽוֹב]
        • This also [גַּם] is MEANINGLESS [הֶבֶל] – it is the work of EVIL [רַע]!
        • The person who works their WHOLE life – never stopping to build relationships…
        • Will always come to the end of their life EMPTY…
        • Because there is nothing they did they can take with them!
        • People who try and find meaning in their WORK – are deceived…
        • God gives us RELATIONSHIPS – marriage – kids – family…
        • Because He wants us to see what matters most in this life are PEOPLE…
        • He wants us to see there is ONE relationship that matters most of all!
    • 2nd – Two are better… vs. 9-12
      • Good reward… vs. 9
        • Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor!
        • TWO are BETTER [טֽוֹב] than one – for FOUR reasons…
        • FIRST financially – because [אֲשֶׁר] they will earn a more for their work…
        • If both the husband and wife work – that is TWICE as much money!
      • Stumble… vs. 10
        • For if they fall – one will lift up his companion.
        • But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up!
        • SECOND – because [כִּי] if ONE falls there is ANOTHER to raise [hiphil] them up…
        • But WOE [אִי] – to the ONE if they are alone – there is NO [אִין] one to help them!
        • Stumbling in life is NOT a question – it is just a matter of time…
        • We are all going to make mistakes – NONE of us are perfect…
        • This can be a brother or sister in the Lord – someone we know at church…
        • It can be our family – our spouse – or our children…
        • When they FALL – we are not to JUDGE them – or IGNORE them…
        • We are called to come alongside them – and pick them back up!
        • Galatians 6:1 – “If a man is overtaken in any trespass – you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”
      • Kept warm… vs. 11
        • Again if two lie down together they will keep warm. But how can one be warm alone?
        • THIRD – also [גַּם] if there are TWO who lie together they will be WARM…
        • BUT [וּ] – if they are ALONE – then there is no one to WARM them up!
        • Every husband knows this lesson all too well…
        • Our wives love to use us as a source of HEAT – with VERY cold feet!
      • Stronger together… vs. 12
        • Though one may be overpowered by another – two can withstand him!
        • FOURTH – if [אִם] ONE can be defeated – TWO will be able to STAND…
        • Anyone who has been in a FIGHT – knows that NUMBERS matter…
        • If we facing an ENEMY who is more powerful than we are – we need HELP…
        • Where the enemy might defeat us ALONE – with TWO we stand a chance!
        • We are in a WAR – and we have a VERY powerful enemy…
        • If we try and defeat him on our own – we will LOOSE – Romans 7:15
        • But we are stronger together – because we can remind each other WHO the answer is!
    • 3rd – Threefold chord… vs. 12
      • Third person…
        • A threefold cord is not quickly broken!
        • Because a THREE part chord – is NOT easily broken [niphal]
        • It is true that a THREE part chord is 50% stronger than a TWO part chord…
        • That is why the MOST common form or rope is a THREE part!
        • The THIRD part of the RELATIONSHIP is Jesus Christ…
        • And our part in this CHORD – is to point one another back to Jesus…
        • Because when we SUBMIT to Him – STAND on Him – the ENEMY has to flee!
        • James 4:7 – “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
      • Marriages…
        • This is a VERY famous verse – often used in the context of marriages…
        • And there is a LOT of truth here for how to have a GREAT marriage!
        • We know we have an ENEMY – who would love to destroy our families…
        • And as dads and moms – we are called to STAND against him…
        • But the KEY to our success it NOT in what we can do…
        • Our job is to point each other to the Lord – we SUBMIT to Him…
        • Because He is the one who has all the POWER – and NEVER changes! 
        • Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday – today – and forever.”
  • 4th – Futility of Fame… vs. 13-16
    • 1st – Becoming King… vs. 13-14
      • Young and poor… vs. 13
        • Better a poor and wise youth – than an old foolish king who will be admonished no more!
        • There was a FOURTH thing that Solomon SAW [רָאָה]
        • It is BETTER [טֽוֹב] to be YOUNG [יֶלֶד] and POOR – but [וְ] WISE [חָכָם]
        • Than [מִ] an old KING [מֶלֶךְ] – but [וְ] foolish [כְּסִיל] and refuses [לֹא־יָדַע] to be CORRECTED…
        • Keep in mind Solomon is writing this as an OLD king…
        • But what he realized is that his time was coming to an END…
        • Because God would replace an old man – SET in his ways [foolish]
        • With a young man – who would be HUMBLE [poor] – and TEACHABLE [wise]!
        • It does NOT matter to God how RICH we are – He uses shepherds and fisherman…
        • God is NOT looking for people to INVEST in the church…
        • He is looking for people whom He can INVEST in…
        • And if we want to be used by God – it does NOT matter how OLD we are…
        • God began to use Moses when he was EIGHTY years old – Exodus 7:7
        • And Paul told Timothy not to let anyone despise him for his youth I Timothy 4:12
      • Rise to fame… vs. 14
        • For he comes out of prison to be king – although he was born poor in his kingdom!
        • Even though he was born POOR – and comes out of PRISON…
        • PRISON [house of bondage] – could refer to his POVERTY [stuck in poverty]
        • Or it could literally mean that he was a convicted CRIMINAL [stealing to survive]
        • He will become the NEXT King over Israel!
        • In the world – who we are is defined by our past…
        • The COUNTRY where we are from – the FAMILY we are born to…
        • The choices we make when we are YOUNG – become our label…
        • But when we come to Christ – all things become NEW – II Corinthians 5:17
        • We are NO longer defined by our past – we are defined by Jesus!
      • Man God uses…
        • Since MONEY – AGE – and PAST do not make a difference to God…
        • What then are the qualifications for being used by the Lord…
        • I have noted TWO things that make someone usable by God…
        • FIRST – they are HUMBLE – meaning they know they are NOT the answer…
        • Instead they look to the Lord – they are TEACHABLE…
        • SECOND – they are available – rich or poor – young or old!
        • Isaiah 6:8 – “I said – Here am I! Send me.”
    • 2nd – Replaced… vs. 15-16
      • A new name… vs. 15-16
        • I saw all the living who walk under the sun.
        • They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
        • There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king!
        • Solomon SAW [רָאָה] the whole world – all [כָּל] those who WALK [piel] under the SUN…
        • Then find a SECOND youth [יֶלֶד] – to replace the FIRST…
        • Just to keep track – this would be the THIRD king to rise…
        • Meaning the poor young wise man – has now also been cast aside…
        • And there is NO [אִין] end to the people – the whole [כָּל] world supports this THIRD king!
      • Next generation… vs. 16
        • Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him.
        • Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind!
        • But [גַּם] the next generation that comes will NOT [לֹא] by happy with the THIRD king…
        • Meaning before too long – there will be a FOURTH king…
        • Therefore – even becoming the king was MEANINGLESS [הֶבֶל] – and chasing the WIND!
  • Have you ever heard of James Dean – Audrey Hepburn [1950s movie stars]
  • How about Mitch Richmond – Adrian Dantley [NBS stars]
  • FAME is a fleeting – meaning it does NOT last…
  • People whose names the whole world knows TODAY – will be forgotten TOMORROW!
  • People who live for FAME – want everyone to know their name…
  • They strive to be a FAMOUS politician – or actor – or sports figure…
  • But statistically – the chances of actually making it is around ONE in TEN thousand…
  • And even if they are among the VERY few who actually become famous… 
  • It does NOT last – they will also soon be FORGOTTEN!


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *