Rather, we must open our hearts to the realization that those who claim to be truly "living" apart from Christ are already dead to begin with, shackled by their pride, self-righteous attitudes, and false sense of security. EVIL UNDER THE SUN - "Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. The intimacy of personal relationships is paramount to our survival on earth. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind. How ironic that Jesus would reference Solomon in order to convey the absolute truth that He alone satisfies man's desire for salvation. He has reached a pinnacle of human glory, only to be stranded there. We cannot clench our fists in unrighteous anger toward one another. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience.
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And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. The tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter, : Solomon thought of the painful and tear-filled lives of the oppressed. No doubt, foolishness is rampant in our culture today, which makes it difficult to convey a message of eternal urgency to those who (as Solomon characterizes) would rather fold their hands and eat their own flesh. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! All Rights Reserved.
Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. For if a man act uprightly and properly in the world, he soon becomes the object of his neighbours envy and calumny too. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Ecclesiastes 4:11 (CSB), Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character. If two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone. It is commonly understood that the third cord is God Himself, and that a relationship intertwined with God is a threefold cord that is not quickly broken. For no matter what oppression we experience this side of heaven, the Lord declares, "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish" (Jeremiah 31:25). premise shows the moral necessity of an afterlife and a coming judgment.
From the beginning of creation, God saw that being alone was not sufficient for man. Hopeless or hopeful? What we need is revival.
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. : Solomon thought of a man alone, without family or close friends. For he comes out of prison to be king, For instance, we recognize the challenges God has in disciplining us when we struggle to train our children unto righteousness. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Ecclesiastes 4:10 (CSB), Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you wont be tempted also. He only is my rock and my salvation,my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. 2. You can also change some of your preferences. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord. Better than both is he who has never existed, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun, : Solomon took the idea of praising the dead even further, to where he praised, . i. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:1-16). You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. than to have more and constantly be grasping for further success. Therefore the encouragement to do good, to act an upright part, is very little. By yourself youre unprotected. Can you round up a third? and a threefold cord is not quickly broken; or "in haste" (c); as two are better than one, so three or more united together, it is the better still; they are able to make head against an enemy; and to conquer him, "vis unita fortior est": if a family, community, city, or kingdom, are divided against themselves, they cannot stand; but, if united, in all probability nothing can hurt them.
And He will judge the living and the dead according to His Word, regardless of whether mankind repents or not. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. We might have expected that he would praise the strength of a, cord is God Himself, and that a relationship intertwined with God is, ii. world, the dead do not have to think about such painful things. They were with the second youth who stands in his place. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (CSB), 3. Who am I struggling for, he asks, and depriving myself of good things? This too is futile and a miserable task.
Site Map, https://the-edge.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/pod_20_07_19.mp3, Cinderella Stories: Dont Count Me Out: John 1:43-51, Cinderella Stories: More Courage: Daniel 6:1-28. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. SolutionGod created us for relationships Oppression by using false weights and measures (Hosea 12:7). i.
Oppression of the poor by other poor people (Proverbs 28:3). He comes out of prison to be king: Solomon thought of a second young man, who rose out of misfortune and obscurity to achieve great wealth, status, and fame (there was no end of all the people over whom he was made king). The Preacher was entirely correct from an, perspective. Yet it is possible that, in the context of marriage and family, Solomon had children in mind with the picture of a threefold cord. But we must be diligent that the Gospel is presented and more importantly lived out by our righteous living, in order that souls may be won for Christ. Wisdom Of The Teacher For College Students, Ch. 3. With his under the sun premise, this thought brought the familiar conclusion to the Preacher: Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Our response in the face of evil is love, just as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, exemplified by His example on the cross and taught us to emulate. This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Oppression of a servant by his master (Deuteronomy 24:14). Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind, .
Therefore, why would we assume remaining independent and isolated from our faith community is wise? This doctrine is taught in the fable of the bundle of sticks the old man gave to his sons to break; which, while fastened together, could not be done; but, when art bound, and took out singly, were easily snapped asunder; teaching them thereby unity among themselves, as their greatest security against their common enemy. Even if it lasted his entire lifetime (which would be rare and remarkable), it would not live on much beyond his own life. Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more: The Preacher begins this section with a proverb, observing that it is better to be poor and wise (and young!) Read the Bible, discover plans, and seek God every day. : In a good partnership, two can accomplish more than each one individually. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.
Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. With a friend you can face the worst. The strength of the three-ply cord was proverbial in the ancient world. (Eaton).
If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light" (Luke 11:33-36). Galatians 6:1 (CSB), C. Comfort Each Other
(2-3) Because of oppression and sadness, man is better off dead. Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him.
Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.
Again, I saw futility under the sun: 8 There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. If a man overpowers him that is alone, yet two shall withstand. Our souls are satisfied because the Lord has not merely met our needs, but overflowed the longings of our hearts which yearn for intimacy with our Creator. the living dead, so to speak. i. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, : The thought of both oppressors and their victims finding no justice in eternity was so bitter to the Preacher that he thought the dead fortunate. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, 'For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?' c. Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him: As Solomon thought of this young man who achieved much and became famous, he understood that the fame would be short-lived. Yet it is possible that, in the context of marriage and family, Solomon had. Men, like silly fishes, see one another caught and jerked out of the pond of life but they see not, alas! Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. . We need 2 cookies to store this setting. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. Your eye is the lamp of your body. In other words, Solomon's final determination is that the world in which we live is so cruel and bathed in suffering that life is not worth living. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13). Even the dead were once alive and had to see, iii. Indeed, a threefold cord with God as the central thread binding two followers of Christ together is not easily broken. There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. It is yet another of our human anticlimaxes and ultimately empty achievements. (Kidner), 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. He continues to develop the same idea, noting that.
(4-6) Success often gains the envy of ones neighbor. It implies that there are.
In an.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (CSB), 2022 Edge Church. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
: When two work and live together they can bring comfort to the lives of each other. If he knew and accepted what happened to the unrighteous dead, he would never say such a thing. (c) "in festinatia", Montanus; "in celeritate", Vatablus; "in festinatione", Rambachius. We see life from God's perspective when we exist in community. A three-stranded rope isnt easily snapped. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Pain is inevitable, oppression exists, truth is relative, jealousy and envy consume our thoughts, and evil runs rampant through the heart of man. The sum will be greater than the parts. The same instruction is given by this threefold cord; while it remains twisted together, it is not easily broke, but if the threads are untwisted and unloosed, they are soon snapped asunder: so persons in religious fellowship, be they more or fewer, while they keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, they are terrible, as an army with banners, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against them. Better a poor and wise youth
Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship. All rights reserved. : The man in Solomons thinking works hard and wants to gain more and more. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun, : After a brief flirtation with hope, the Preacher once again turned to despair at the end of Ecclesiastes 3 when he considered the problem of injustice. We need salvation that not only secures our eternal resting place, but compels us to love our neighbor and endure suffering for the advancement of the Gospel. i. And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. 1. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. 4. Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. Under that premise, there is no such thing as an eternal accomplishment and one does not even have the. Oppression of the poor by the bureaucratic (Ecclesiastes 5:8).
With a friend you can face the worst. You can check these in your browser security settings. a. All Rights Reserved. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here'" (Luke 11:29-31). "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17), therefore we are designed to both hold our neighbor accountable and be held accountable to him as well, especially in our community of faith. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2). On God rests my salvation and my glory;my mighty rock, my refuge is God" (Psalm 62:5-7). The temptation we must guard ourselves against is to react sinfully toward all that is going on around us. Truthfully, "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Corinthians 15:19). Therefore, what hope do we have to compel us to remain steadfast in the face of trial and persecution? And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man"(Genesis 2:18, 21-22). : The Preacher begins this section with a proverb, observing that it is better to be poor and wise (and young!) But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Effectiveness than to be old, foolish and have great wealth and status. than to be old, foolish and have great wealth and status. help, and it is a blessing both to give and to receive help. And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand hima threefold cord is not quickly broken. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. ii. But if we live apart from community, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought like an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice, we live blind to our own blindness. In an, world where this life is all there is, men and women give no account for their lives in a world to come the. We might have expected that he would praise the strength of a twofold cord; instead he noted that a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Living and working together is a great advantage to living and working alone, and adds these four things to life: : The Preacher gives a fascinating final line to this section dealing with the goodness of companionship. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Therefore, we can sing His praises because He is faithful, He is sovereign, and He is worthy to be praised! By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). What is interesting to note within Solomon's theme of "evil under the sun" is the emphasis he places on the role and importance of relationships and community, for pity the man who falls and has no one to lend a hand to help him up. and will begin to state the reasons why this is true. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! And if this is true of the united love and affections of saints, it must be much more so of the love of Father, Son, and Spirit; that threefold cord, with which the saints are drawn and held; and of which it may be said, that it not only is not quickly broken, but that it cannot be broken at all; and therefore those who are held by it are in the utmost safety. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. But he never asks, For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good, : The Preacher thought this unexamined life of hard work and success without family and friends to share in it all is, i.
Oppression by charging high interest (Ezekiel 22:12, 29). If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. They warm each other's hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ, or join in singing his praises. Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Disclaimer. 
the fire and the pan into which they are cast that die in their sins. (Trapp), is an interesting phrase. Continuing with that idea, he then, considered all the oppression that is done under the sun. : This expression is really equivalent to destroys himself, brings ruin upon himself. (Deane) A similar thought from a different perspective is found in Psalm 27:2. With his. In this instance, Solomon focuses on the evils of life we experience this side of heaven; tragic events that weigh on our psyche and drive our minds into hopelessness and despair. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. This is commonly applied and well applied to the idea of recognizing and embracing God in the marriage relationship. If they fall, one will lift up his companion, : When two work and live together they can help each other in difficult times , but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Our eye metaphorically describes the attitude and perspective through which we look at life all around us. Therefore, we must adhere to Scripture's teaching which declares, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king's place. 
Oppression of the poor by the affluent (Proverbs 22:16). Ephesians 4:26 (CSB), D. Protection
Perseverance
Ecclesiastes 4:9 (CSB), B. Published by permission. 
