Chasing the Wind: Oppression & Friendship
Ecclesiastes 4
Oppression (v. 1-3)
· Solomon reflects on the oppression he has witnessed in the world
o Seeing the system as rigged against the poor by those with power
§ Little has changed in 3000 years
· This reality makes him ponder the value of life
o Using hyperbolic language (see Job 3; Jer 20:14–18)
o Though earlier he finds hope in God’s ultimate justice (3:15c-17)
Wealth (v. 4-8)
· Solomon reflects on how chasing wealth fails to bring satisfaction
o Especially when it is based in envy and covetousness
· He then reflects on the two hazards of laziness and over-work
o The lazy person produces nothing
§ And thus “consumes himself”
o He who has too much stresses over what he owns
§ And thus his possessions own him
· He also reflects on working so hard and having no one to share it with
o Thus prioritizing wealth and work over people
Friendship (v. 9-12)
· Reflecting on sharing life with (v. 7-8), leads to a reflection on friendship (v. 9-12)
· Friends can make life better, including:
o Work (v. 9)
o Struggles (v. 10)
o Comfort (v. 11)
§ A traveling or war image
o Protection (v. 12)
§ Especially when there are three
· Two friends + God
Position (v. 13-16)
· Even as king, Solomon realizes the vanity of his position
· It is better to be in a position of weakness and be teachable
o Than to be in a position of strength but being inflexible
· And someday the king will be replaced by someone younger
o Position is fleeting
So What?
· Since there are so many aspects to life that do not satisfied
o We need to focus on what endures
o Like God-centered friendships
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:12
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