Setting – Comparison of lazy and hard workers, also two are better than one.
Content – Solomon (v. 1 NLT) “observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them.” he (v. 2-3 NLT) “concluded that the dead are better off than the living. And most fortunate of all are those who were never born. For they have never seen all the evil that is done in our world”
He also observed that people’s work is motivated (v. 4 NLT) “to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.” Then there are those (v. 5-6 NLT) “Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve. They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.”
He observed individuals with no dependents or relatives working hard to gain wealth, but won’t have anyone to inherit it.
He observed (v. 9 NLT) “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.” Because, (v. 10 NLT) “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help”
He saw that a young, but wise, lad could become king; one who is willing to listen and learn. But after becoming king, (v. 16 NLT) “the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.”
Application – 1. In observing the oppression in the world, we can understand Solomon’s conclusion, if we don’t see the bigger picture. The oppression occurs because of sin. If we don’t know that there is something greater (heaven) after this life, then this life is futile. Life is oppressive and that’s because of sin. We learn quickly that sin ruins everything.
2. What motivates our work? Do we do it to keep up with the Joneses? Or would we rather not work because we are lazy or foolish to its benefits? We saw in the previous chapter that we are to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Passing down an inheritance is a reward of our labors and a blessing. But if our motivation to work is just for ourselves, this is chasing after the wind. In our work, two are better than one. With two, the one can help the other.
Our perspective is vital. If we loose perspective of what our purpose is in what we do or why things are the way that are, we will quickly loose hope and see what we do as a waste of time. Injustice and oppression exists in the world because of sin. Everyone is consumed with benefiting themselves. This leads to oppression of others. God will restore paradise again for His creation, but until then, we that know Him, are ambassadors for Jesus while still on earth. We long for justice and righteousness, but sin confronts this goal quickly.
In addition, our work should be for God and not ourselves. Our treasure is to be heavenly forces, but while we are on earth, we work for sustaining of our family and others. Like Christ, we are here to not be served, but to serve others. This runs against our nature to think of others first.
Content – Solomon (v. 1 NLT) “observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them.” he (v. 2-3 NLT) “concluded that the dead are better off than the living. And most fortunate of all are those who were never born. For they have never seen all the evil that is done in our world”
He also observed that people’s work is motivated (v. 4 NLT) “to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.” Then there are those (v. 5-6 NLT) “Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve. They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.”
He observed individuals with no dependents or relatives working hard to gain wealth, but won’t have anyone to inherit it.
He observed (v. 9 NLT) “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.” Because, (v. 10 NLT) “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help”
He saw that a young, but wise, lad could become king; one who is willing to listen and learn. But after becoming king, (v. 16 NLT) “the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.”
Application – 1. In observing the oppression in the world, we can understand Solomon’s conclusion, if we don’t see the bigger picture. The oppression occurs because of sin. If we don’t know that there is something greater (heaven) after this life, then this life is futile. Life is oppressive and that’s because of sin. We learn quickly that sin ruins everything.
2. What motivates our work? Do we do it to keep up with the Joneses? Or would we rather not work because we are lazy or foolish to its benefits? We saw in the previous chapter that we are to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Passing down an inheritance is a reward of our labors and a blessing. But if our motivation to work is just for ourselves, this is chasing after the wind. In our work, two are better than one. With two, the one can help the other.
Our perspective is vital. If we loose perspective of what our purpose is in what we do or why things are the way that are, we will quickly loose hope and see what we do as a waste of time. Injustice and oppression exists in the world because of sin. Everyone is consumed with benefiting themselves. This leads to oppression of others. God will restore paradise again for His creation, but until then, we that know Him, are ambassadors for Jesus while still on earth. We long for justice and righteousness, but sin confronts this goal quickly.
In addition, our work should be for God and not ourselves. Our treasure is to be heavenly forces, but while we are on earth, we work for sustaining of our family and others. Like Christ, we are here to not be served, but to serve others. This runs against our nature to think of others first.
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