The futility of greed/The blessing of contentment: Ecclesiastes 4
So, Solomon again looks out over creation and notices that the oppressed have no comforter (4:1). Yet I wonder to myself, "Isn't the king supposed to have the power to initiate justice?" When did Solomon become powerless? Is it only in his final days that he realizes just how empty his kingship had become? Or is he looking at the world at large, and moaning his limited impact? Or both?
I find it ironic and sad that Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted it with great pleasure, and yet all that Solomon sees is wisdom thwarted.
Yet there are reinforcements of divine truth and peace in Solomon' story. "Better is one handful and tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Be satisfied with God's simple gifts and provisions. Chasing after wealth and power will only prove fruitless. This is affirmed in 4:8: "There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth." God has given us all we need.
Ultimately, Solomon sees that human relationship is much more beneficial than wealth.
4:9 Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work.
4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands in not quickly broken.
Thus, we must be humble and accept the help that God places in our lives. Also, we must not hoard our blessings. Life is much better when shared.
Thank you God for the friends and family you have blessed me with. They are more than I deserve. They also give life value, both for the present and the future.
I find it ironic and sad that Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted it with great pleasure, and yet all that Solomon sees is wisdom thwarted.
Yet there are reinforcements of divine truth and peace in Solomon' story. "Better is one handful and tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Be satisfied with God's simple gifts and provisions. Chasing after wealth and power will only prove fruitless. This is affirmed in 4:8: "There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth." God has given us all we need.
Ultimately, Solomon sees that human relationship is much more beneficial than wealth.
4:9 Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work.
4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands in not quickly broken.
Thus, we must be humble and accept the help that God places in our lives. Also, we must not hoard our blessings. Life is much better when shared.
Thank you God for the friends and family you have blessed me with. They are more than I deserve. They also give life value, both for the present and the future.
Labels: contentment, Ecclesiastes, greed
posted by Randy Rogers at
3:23 PM
5 Comments:
Solomon seems to be saying that if we look for the good in others and focus not so much on our own prowess then we will begin to unveil the Truth of God's Grace--its appropriateness to us as individuals as well as its availability to all others...
I am glad you keep mentioning grace. Here, Solomon does see how valuable friendship and kinship is. I think Solomon has come to realize that self-dependence (whether financial, physical strength, intellect, or spiritual righteousness) does not lead to anything but heartache and futility.
after last night's Bible study I have to wonder if knowledge is evil? Was Satan always evil before he began to tempt Man? Did Satan misuse a gift of choice which he previously had not? Was Evil always present in the Garden? I say no...
Robert
re above:
At least to all but the misuse of choice question.
I do not accept that knowledge is evil, because then we glorify ignorance and set up and extreme situation of manipulation.
Plus, Proverbs 1:7 says that fearing God's leads to wisdom. Thus, wisdom is from God, and thus is not evil. Certain types of knowledge and wisdom can corrupt. That does not mean that the knowledge itself is evil, but it does mean that humanity may not be able to handle some knowledge without falling into corruption and sin.
I don't think Satan was created evil. I think that he chose evil. Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 both illustrate that pride and self-sifficiency can bring down the most powerful of people/beings. Many people see these passages as describing the fall of Satan. In both prophecies, the focus is on a person or figure that has been blessed with great power and authority. It is the misuse of these blessings that leads to a fallen state.
I agree. Evil was not always in the garden. However, the presence of the snake and the Tree of Knowledge indicate that shadows existed in Eden . . . .
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