At dusk on a long stony road, two small figures seen from behind, one steadying the other as he limps.

The search

Ecclesiastes 4

Who picks you up when you fall?

16 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1Everything is futileThe Teacher states his case
2–6The searchPleasure, work, time, power, wealthChapter 4
7–8What wisdom can and can't doNo one can find out what is coming
9–11Live while you liveDeath comes to all, so take the gift
12Remember your CreatorFear God and keep His commandments

The Evil of Oppression

The Teacher

The Teacher

Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

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So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

The Teacher

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

The fool folds his hands

and consumes his own flesh.

A farmer at rest on a stone holds one cupped handful of wheat, and far behind him a man hurries with both arms loaded.

Better one handful with tranquility

than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

The Teacher

At night in a good stone room, a man of sixty sits alone at a table with a balance and silver, one lamp, one stool, one bowl.

Again, I saw futility under the sun. There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

He has money and no one to leave it to.

Why does the man in verse 8 never stop working?

The Teacher

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone?

And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The Futility of Power

The Teacher

The Teacher

Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.

I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king. There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Pray

Two are better

Pray for someone with no comforter. Ask God for a friend to walk with, and ask to be one. Ask for the peace to rest in one handful.

You’ve experienced

Ecclesiastes 4

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A verse to carry with you

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

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