Ecclesiastes 4
Pastor Mark Hudson

One could easily look at this chapter and divide it up with numbers. Jeffrey Meyers suggests this outline
0 is better than 1 4:1-3;
1 is better than 2 4:4-6
2 is better than 1 4:7-12

Another way to examine the structure of the book is provided by Craig G. Bartholomew.
1-3 oppression
4-6 motivation for work
7-12 isolation in work and life
13-16 the problem of government

As you read this chapter, consider how many millions of people suffered in the past. Since I am an American, I think of what many black people suffered in our country. I cannot imagine how horrible the lives of slaves were. I can’t imagine suffering such injustice, humiliation, and violence. But imagine how terrible many people have suffered in various parts of the world. Iris Chang wrote The Rape of Nanking published in 1997. If you read what the Japanese soldiers did to the Chinese you will question the humanity of those soldiers. I would not write about them in this devotional. In 2004, she committed suicide. Clearly she struggled with mental / emotional issues but her research must have weighed heavily on her.

I think for most of us, when hear Jonah (4:3) or Elijah (I Kings 19:4) wish they had never born, we are shocked. Jeremiah wished he had never been born (20:18). But might a mother like Emmet Til’s mother, wish he had never be born? In some cases, I think many people in the world understand what verse 3 is saying. We may not, but many, many people in the world do. Some suffering is so terrible and lasts so long, that we might say, ‘it might have been better that he/she had never been born.’ I am thankful most of us can barely understand this statement. But many people have no voice and never see justice in this life understand verse three.

As the author looks at the work he notices the envy people have and thinks working to have something better than your neighbor is a fleeting interest as well as sinful motivation. Qoheleth looks at life and concludes that at times, 1 is better than 2, due to striving after wealth. However, he cautions against the person who has given up. That person is cannibalizing their own life. Giving up is not an option. But, to work and labor just to have more is foolish.

Yet, two is better than one. If you are lonely or struggling, you can understand that most of us want someone else around. You may want some reason to turn the tv off when home. The tv is a sort of company because you miss your spouse. Or you are single and just would like someone to talk to and care for. So, for most of us, two is better than one.

Qoheleth looks at life and writes for suffering people. I imagine that if some people, poor, with no hope of getting ahead, no experience of justice or little compassion from others might be glad for such honesty; for such a straightforward gaze at the reality of this world.

This isn’t the final word. This is one chapter in a book that John Piper says might be the hardest book in the Bible to understand. I think as we read this book, consider that all of us say things to shock to get people’s attention. A modern example is John Piper who is known for the phrase ‘Christian hedonism.’ He meant to shock and poke.

We all use irony at times. This is not written like Paul’s writing in the New Testament. But Paul does not write like the Psalmist. Jesus does not speak like the author of Ecclesiastes but we don’t take Jesus’ words literally or follow His commands literally. I think we should read these words and conclude that while we cannot say these things about every event or every situation, there is some truth in his observations. Be careful if you dismiss the author too quickly. It may be that we do not read this genre enough to be able to see that a truth observed is not one meant to be written in stone. But clearly enough to be written in the Bible.

Finally, look at verses 13ff. How many leaders do we know that no longer should be in a position of authority? Ask that question to a few billion people in China, Russia, Africa, and South America? Think of how corrupt governments can be. One does not have to leave our country to witness corruption in government, churches, schools, families, and business.

Dear holy and righteous Father, we do not see all the cruelty and injustice You see. In fact, most of us lead lives billions of people envy. They would love to live in our homes, drive our cars, and have our wealth. But so very many people suffer their entire lives. You understand poverty, injustice, violence, and the despair many feel. Help us to, at least try, to enter into other’s pain and suffering. To just listen and love when others are in pain. Help us to live in such a way that our words and life point to our Lord Jesus Christ. In His glorious, unrivaled, and powerful name. Amen.