Read Ecclesiastes 4:4–6
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Solomon see about men’s diligent and skillful work (Ecclesiastes 4:4)? What does he conclude about this (with the implication that this is “under the sun,” cf. Ecclesiastes 4:3, Ecclesiastes 4:7)? What does the fool do (Ecclesiastes 4:5a)? With what result (verse 5b)? What condition makes it better, even if you only possess half as much (Ecclesiastes 4:6a)? What condition makes it worse, even if you possess twice as much (verse 6b)?
What else makes godless life vain? Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fallen labor makes godless life vain.
As Solomon continues to consider conditions (Ecclesiastes 4:1–16) that necessitate the corrective of worship (Ecclesiastes 5:1–6), he turns to the subject of toil. If man is all there is, then the “reward” for diligence and skill is to be envied (Ecclesiastes 4:4). But if, because of that envy, one chooses not to work hard, he is a fool who destroys himself (Ecclesiastes 4:5). Why fill both hands, apart from knowing God (Ecclesiastes 4:6)?
What is your daily toil? How does the knowledge and reality of God shape how you do it?
Sample prayer: Lord, all things are from You, and through You, and to You! Our work only has true value when it is done in a spirit of worship unto You. How much more, then, our worship! Help us, by Your Spirit, to worship You in truth, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP127 “Unless the LORD Build Up the House” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”
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