1^st – Cruel life… vs. 1-3

• 1^st – 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! 
• 2^nd – 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!
• 3^rd – 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!

• 2^nd – Be Content… vs. 4-6
  • 1^st – 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.”
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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!

• 3^rd – Power of Friendship… vs. 7-12
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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.”

• 4^th – Futility of Fame… vs. 13-16
  • 1^st – 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.”
  • 2^nd – 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!