2025.09.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 4:7–12

Read Ecclesiastes 4:7–12

Questions from the Scripture text: To what does Solomon now turn his attention (Ecclesiastes 4:7)? What is the vanity this time (Ecclesiastes 4:8a)? What does this isolated man not have (verse 8a–b)? What does he endlessly have (verse 8c)? But what can’t the riches from it do (verse 8d)? What does he never do (verse 8e–f)? What does Solomon conclude about all of this (verse 8g)? Which condition is superior to which other (Ecclesiastes 4:9a)? Why (verse 9b)? What three situations show how good this is (Ecclesiastes 4:10a, Ecclesiastes 4:11a, Ecclesiastes 4:12a)? But what happens to the one who is alone (Ecclesiastes 4:10b, Ecclesiastes 4:11b, Ecclesiastes 4:12a)? What has what advantage in verse 12b?

How is love of money so evil? Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that love of money rejects both the fellowship of God and the fellowship of man.

The fall has estranged us not only from God but from one another. Man, in Ecclesiastes 4, is precisely as Titus 3:3 describes. And if there is not the God of grace above the sun, man is stuck in that condition, “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” While creating man, God declared that “it is not good for man to be alone” (cf. Genesis 2:18), but in his sinful nature, man chooses money over fellowship (Ecclesiastes 4:8a–d), without even questioning this folly (verse 8e–f). Solomon calls this vanity and evil work (verse 8g). 

When grace restores a man to follow God’s design (Ecclesiastes 4:9a), his labor is restored to its proper place (verse 9b), he is helped when he falls (Ecclesiastes 4:10), he is kept warm in cold (Ecclesiastes 4:11), and strengthened against attack (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Verse 12b makes it clear that this principle applies to more than just marriage. The strand of three cords reinforces that the Lord redeems us into a corporate, congregational, covenant people (cf. Mark 10:29–30). And truly their fellowship is even with God Himself (cf. 1 John 1:3). The evil of what is under the sun is resolved only by the God Who is above it (cf. Titus 3:4–8)!

In what ways do you love money? In what ways are you tempted to prefer isolation to fellowship? How have you enjoyed God’s blessing of companionship? What will you do to seek it in both marriage and in membership?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for creating us both for fellowship with one another, but especially and ultimately for fellowship with You. Grant unto us to live in that fellowship, in all of our work and recreation, but then especially in worshiping You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP127 “Unless the LORD Build Up the House” or TPH128B “Blest the Man Who Fears Jehovah”