Bible Verse Synopsis 6-20-25

Ecclesiastes 4:

Solomon portrays a world without God. In a world without God completely, Solomon posits that “Yea, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.” - Verse 3. The world Solomon sees must be so far away from the Lord. He thinks, in all his wisdom, that it would be better if they weren’t even born. This would be such a sad world where the entire population has abandoned God. I cannot fathom what life without God would be like. Can you?

The Devil sends demons and evil spirits against us to challenge us and cause us strife. This struggle is intended to cause us to doubt the Lord. These demons can come in many forms, sometimes as severe as oppressors. We should still turn to God to overcome them. When have you overcome a demon in your life with the help of the Lord?

Verse 5 says “The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.” This is a metaphor for only serving the desires of the flesh; Not helping others and working only for themselves. Our hands are better quiet than full of selfish labors. Who do you work in the name of? In your work do you bring Glory to God?

Verse 8 brings up another observation from Solomon. “There is one alone, and there is not a second, yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet there is no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor; and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail.” When man is alone it is hard for him to serve others. Without serving others, how can we serve the Lord? It is also easier for us to fall into temptation with no one we care for is with us on this earth. Family and Faith are intertwined for a reason. Service to the family with help us stay on the straight and narrow path. Verse 11 confirms this; “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” This heat Solomon refers to, is heat of the spirit. How can our faith be strong when we work on it alone? Every man needs support from another. Who is in your support system? Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ who help stoke the fire of your faith—or are you walking alone?Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ who help stoke the fire of your faith—or are you walking alone?Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ who help stoke the fire of your faith—or are you walking alone?Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ who help stoke the fire of your faith—or are you walking alone?Do you have brothers and sisters in Christ who help stoke the fire of your faith—or are you walking alone?

Verse 16 returns to the abandonment of God we started this chapter with: “There is no end of all the people, even of all who have been before them: they also who come after shall not rejoice in Him. Surely this is also is vanity and vexation of the spirit.” Without God, this is the fate of man. We as believers, know that through the Lord and Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are not doomed to live in vanity and vexation. The Word will guide us away from vanity and toward purposeful work in His name. Accept the Lord our God and take His instruction to heart. Are you ready to no longer be in vain?