Politics brings no lasting change. Oftentimes it is nothing more than a debacle of the fickle. It challenges our joy if our joy is in human kings. It appears to challenge God’s beauty if we are expecting any son of Adam other than Jesus Christ to bring hope and change. We need to guard our hearts against these realities that threaten the enjoyment of the gift of this short life. They may be dark hues in His masterpiece, but the truth is that none of these challenges put a dent in God’s beautiful plan. – Brian Borgman

Ecclesiastes 4:4-16

Envy (4:4-6) – Labor is a gift, but it becomes an idol if it is fueled by envy. The man Qoheleth has in view is skilled and works hard, but he works hard just to get on top. He is simply driven to be better and have more than his neighbor. This man sees what Jones has, wants it, and wants more. This is more than merely “keeping up with the Jones.” This is a matter of trying to leave the Joneses in the dust, choking on their fumes. But it is a vapor and trying to shepherd the wind.

But, how much enjoyment can one have making sure that all one’s competitors are beaten back down the hill of success? What is the point of being on the top bunk in a death row cell anyway?

Some might say, “You are right! No reason getting devoured in a dog-eat-dog world. I am not going to be greedy; I am going to relax and play video games!” Qoheleth says that is the response of a fool. Idleness is not the answer because it is folly and self-destructive. As we learn in Proverbs, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man” (Prov. 6:10–11).

Excessive toil may be foolish and counterproductive, but we are fools if we fold our hands, wait for a government check, and starve to death.  Qoheleth reminds us that neither the sluggard nor the envy-driven workaholic is a model for anyone. The way of wisdom is found in Ecclesiastes 4:6. Do not be consumed with envy and rivalry and work your life away because you want to be richer and better than your neighbor. But don’t sit at home and play Candy Crush all day either, boasting how non-materialistic you are. The way to really live this life which God has given you is to balance your toil with rest. Take a day off. Remember the Sabbath. Rest and relaxation are vital for enjoying the gift of life which is filled with so much labor.

“To have a heart that we can trust, and into which we can pour our griefs, our doubts, and our fears, is already to take the edge from the grief, and the sting from doubt, and the shade from fear.… Joy also demands that its joy should be shared.… A simple generous friendship will thus add to the joy and will divide the sorrow.”  – Hugh Black

Loneliness (4:7-12)  The next portrait in Qoheleth’s gallery of “challenges to enjoying the gift” is the guy who is married to his work (4:7–8). Qoheleth says he sees another vapor under the sun and that is the person who has no dependents. Perhaps this man has no spouse, certainly no son or brother. He is alone. And yet he works himself to death. There is no end to his toil. He is never satisfied with money, and he has never asked the right question, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” How much misery could be averted if only we asked ourselves the right question? Even though there was no one with whom to share his life, this lonely person devoted himself to endless labor. A lonely life is a sad life, no matter how much money a person has.

Doug Wilson observes, “A man works hard to make a pile and doesn’t stop to ask a very basic question—why am I doing this? He can’t afford to marry or have children, because they would take him away from his work. He cannot afford to have friends because all their motives would be suspect. He could buy dinner for everyone in the restaurant, but no one wants to sit with him. That’s all right, because he doesn’t want to sit with them either.” In the end, marriage to one’s work is a miserable marriage, and toil makes a lousy spouse.

The Blessing of Companionship (4:9–12) Companionship is also the gift of God, and it makes life and labor sweeter. Unless the benefits of hard work are shared with someone you love, toil has no gain. When kept within the perspectives of hebel, blessings shared become blessings doubled.

This famous passage, appropriately read at weddings, is a picture of the comfort and strength of companionship in a harsh world. There is safety in companionship. There is better profit in companionship. There is warmth in companionship. A third cord is even better. The third cord is often thought to be another person, even the Lord Himself. It is noteworthy that Qoheleth does not label companionship as hebel. Friendship is invaluable. It is the antidote to the lonely life of the workaholic.

Hugh Black summarizes the blessings of friendship, “To have a heart that we can trust, and into which we can pour our griefs, our doubts, and our fears, is already to take the edge from the grief, and the sting from doubt, and the shade from fear.… Joy also demands that its joy should be shared.… A simple generous friendship will thus add to the joy and will divide the sorrow.”

Politics (4:13–16) The final challenge to enjoying the gift and to God making all things beautiful is politics. Some might think if we could get the right king, the right president, the right congress, the right parliament, then all would be well. But politics are a vapor too. With the vaporous nature of politics comes frustration with politics. Qoheleth, who knew politics, admits that one kind of politician is better than another. The poor man comes from the people and knows the plight of the people. He is a common man, but he is also a wise man.

The old foolish king doesn’t listen to anybody, won’t receive counsel, and assumes the “riff raff” doesn’t know anything. The poor wise man is a real success story…..He has humble origins but ascends to the throne. His approval ratings are through the roof. Everybody loves this guy. The phrase “no end to all the people, to all who were before them” could refer to the king’s popularity.

But the reality is that “today’s hero is tomorrow’s bum.” The sentiment that “happy days are here again” is a vapor. The reign of a good king is as temporary as a breath. It is true that some rulers are better than others.  We should want good, wise, righteous leaders. We should resist tyrants. But presidents come and presidents go. The “great hope” for the next election will have his disaffected followers in time. They will want a fresh face.

Politics brings no lasting change. Oftentimes it is nothing more than a debacle of the fickle. It challenges our joy if our joy is in human kings. It appears to challenge God’s beauty if we are expecting any son of Adam other than Jesus Christ to bring hope and change. We need to guard our hearts against these realities that threaten the enjoyment of the gift of this short life. They may be dark hues in His masterpiece, but the truth is that none of these challenges put a dent in God’s beautiful plan.

We should not ignore oppression or injustice. We should not tolerate envy, greed, or isolation. We should not be consumed in politics as if it were our only hope or only interest. Instead, we should receive rest and companionship as gifts from God’s gracious hand. With grateful hearts, we should look to Him alone. As David said, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Ps. 20:7). –Brian Borgman

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Recommended Resources:   “Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches us to Live in Light of the End” By David Gibson. ;    “Don’t Waste Your Breath: Ecclesiastes and the Joy of a Fleeting Life”  By Brian Borgman