Ecclesiastes 5
We must not forget the purpose of this book, plainly set out in chapter 1 and chapter 2:1-11. It is to show that man neither by wisdom, wealth nor power, can attain happiness.
In chapter 5 the thought of God is introduced, and we shall find God mentioned again and again to the close of the book. But He is not known as a Saviour, or as the Refuge of the burdened sinner, fleeing from the wrath to come. That would be quite outside of the scope of Ecclesiastes.
God then is owned (verse 1) though not trusted in for salvation. The sweet accents of the gospel of His grace find no place here. He is to be reverenced; one should draw near to hear, rather than to speak. Promises to Him are to be kept, and rash words to be avoided; He is to be feared (verse 7).
Though God permits the oppression of the poor, He knows what is going on, and we may conclude from verse 8 that He will take the reins of government again someday. Indeed, we know this to be true; He will judge the world in righteousness, and every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of in the day of judgment. Meanwhile He causes all things to work together for good, no matter how different they may seem, to them that love Him (Romans 8:28).
The earth was intended to supply mares natural wants, and all are dependent upon it, even the man of power (verse 9), Yet there is no satisfaction in it. He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loves abundance, with increase (verse 10).
Verse 12 speaks a homely truth. The rich are much envied, but riches do not bring contentment. As a help to understanding verses 13-17, we quote the 14th verse from the New Translation:
"Or those riches perish by some evil circumstance, and if he have begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand."
We turn with joy from this discouraging picture to Matthew 6:19-21, where is mentioned a bank (so to speak) which hard times and depression never affect.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
In verses 18 to 20 the Preacher tells us that he has seen something that is not vanity and pursuit of the wind; he has seen it, but it is not a part of the world which he has been so critically examining. How is this contentment, this joy of the heart to be attained? The wisdom of this world cannot answer, and so Ecclesiastes is silent on this point. Only those who believe the Lord Jesus Christ know what contentment and peace and joy are.
Messages of God’s Love 11/27/1932