Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
Why is this world so full of injustice, tears, oppression and conflict? People keep trying to solve these problems by social and economic theories and to remedy them by international conferences. The one true reason is never given because man’s pride refuses to recognize that it is his state of sinfulness. The Lord is far from being indifferent to all these sufferings (Lamentations 3:34-36). But He uses men’s distress to reveal Himself as the only true Comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3; Isaiah 51:12). From v. 4 onwards, the Preacher analyses other types of "evil work that is done under the sun." He concludes each time, "vanity and vexation of spirit . . . sore travail" (vv. 4, 6, 8, 16). His thoughts have a general application; even the world often recognizes the wisdom of them. V. 6, for example, declares that peace of mind in modest circumstances is better than both "hands full with travail and vexation of spirit" (pursuit of the wind, JND trans.) (see also 1 Timothy 6:6). If partnership is a good thing, humanly speaking, making work more rewarding, daily life more amenable, its difficulties more surmountable (vv. 9-12), we should remember, however, that the true strength of a Christian still rests in his personal fellowship with the Lord.