Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 4: God’s gift of helping one another

Begin in prayer

Before we read about tears without a comforter and gain gathered alone, let us ask God to show our family the good of helping one another, and to help us see Christ in these words.

Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

Exodus 3:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Give us compassion for people who suffer without help. Teach us contentment, and show us Jesus, the King who delivers the needy. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Preacher sees oppressed people weeping with no comforter, while their oppressors hold power. Their suffering makes him call the dead, and even those not yet born, better off than the living. Rivalry drives achievement, while the idle fool ruins himself. Quietness with little is better than restless labor for more. A lonely worker keeps gathering wealth without enjoying it or knowing whom he works for. Companions help one another work, rise after falling, stay warm and withstand an attacker. A poor, wise youth is better than an unteachable king, yet even the young ruler’s popularity will fade.

As you read Ecclesiastes 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Gain gathered alone is vanity, and God gives the good of helping one another.

The opening picture shows tears without comfort and power used to oppress. The Preacher’s anguished comparison shows how bitter such oppression makes human life. Under the sun the oppressed have “no comforter” (verse 1), but the LORD told Moses He sees His people’s affliction (Exodus 3 verse 7). Then the Preacher “saw vanity under the sun” (verse 7), a lonely worker with no companion who never asks whom he works for. Rivalry and endless accumulation also spoil the good of work. Companions provide practical help when someone falls, feels cold or faces attack. A cord of three strands pictures the strength companions gain by joining together. A king who refuses correction has less wisdom than a poor youth. Passing applause cannot give either ruler a lasting place in people’s hearts.

How does Ecclesiastes 4 show us that gain gathered alone is vanity, and God gives the good of helping one another?

Gain gathered alone is vanity, and quietness is better.

Envy can turn achievement into chasing after wind. The idle fool ruins himself, so quietness does not mean refusing work. The lonely worker needs to consider whom his endless labor serves.

God’s wisdom teaches us to value practical help.

One companion can lift another after a fall. Two can share warmth and withstand an attacker. The strong cord pictures the good of joining together.

Even a king’s applause is vanity, and a teachable youth is better.

The old king has stopped receiving admonition. A poor youth who listens is better placed to act wisely. Even a ruler welcomed by crowds will eventually lose their praise.

Memorise

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I need Jesus to change my selfish desires?

The Preacher sees people in tears with “no comforter”. He also exposes lonely toil, restless rivalry and a king who cannot receive correction. We need more than success or applause to put our hearts right with God.

Jesus is God’s wisdom for sinners (1 Corinthians 1 verses 24 to 30). His rescue reaches people who cannot earn their way to God through achievement or rank. At the cross He suffered for His people and took away their guilt. That one sacrifice is enough to pardon every sinner who comes to Him. The grave could not keep Him, and He rose to reign beyond the reach of changing public praise.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. Those who seek forgiveness from this living King find Him ready to receive them. Under the sun the oppressed have no one to comfort them, but this King delivers the needy when they cry to Him (Psalm 72 verse 12).

Parent's note

Tell your children that helping others cannot earn forgiveness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from selfishness and trust Jesus. Pray for God to change their hearts and give them faith in His Son.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for wise counsel, helpful companions and the saving work of Jesus. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.

Psalm 72:12

God of wisdom, You see those who suffer without a comforter. Give our family compassion and willing hands. Expose our envy and selfish ambition, and make us ready to receive correction. Please bring each one of us to Jesus for forgiveness. Teach us to value faithful help more than wealth or passing praise. Amen.