Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 The Preacher Considers the Oppressed & the Lonely

The Preacher Considers the Oppressed & the Lonely

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16           The Book of Ecclesiastes [in Smaller Chunks]

So, I returned, & considered all the [types of:] [oppression] that are done under the sun, & [saw] the tears of [those who] were oppressed, & they had no comforter. [Judges 10:11-14 And the Lord said to the children, [a.k.a. people,] of Israel, [Didn't I deliver you from the: Egyptians, Amorites, the children, [a.k.a. people,] of Ammon, & from the Philistines? Also: the Zidonians, [a.k.a. Sidonians,] Amalekites, & the Maonites, [who] [oppressed] you. And you cried [out] to Me, & I delivered you out of their hand. [Still,] you have [abandoned] Me, & served other gods. [For this reason,] I will no [longer] deliver you. Go, & cry [out] to the gods, [that] you have chosen. Let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.]

There was power, on the side of their oppressors, but they [also] had no comforter. More than the living, [who] are [still] alive, [for this reason,] I praised the dead, [who were] already dead. [Job 3:17-18 There, the wicked cease, [a.k.a. stop,] from troubling [others,] & the weary [are] at rest there. The prisoners rest together there, & they don't hear the voice of the oppressor.]

[Yes,] he, [who hasn't] been [born] yet, & who [hasn't] seen the evil work, [a.k.a. deeds,] that [are] done under the sun, is better than both [of] [them.] Again, I considered all [the strenuous] work,] & every right work, for [which] a man is envied [by] his [neighbor.] This is also vanity, & [troubling,] [like trying to grab the wind.]

[2 Corinthians 9:8-9 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, [so] that [you] always [have] all [you need of] all things, & may abound to every good work. (As it is written [in the Scriptures,] He [has distributed] [what was needed] [around,] & He [has] given to the poor. His righteousness [remains] forever.]

The fool [folds] his hands together, & [eats] his own flesh. [2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 For even when we were with you, we commanded you [that,] If [anyone] wouldn't work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some [who] walk among you disorderly, not working at all, but are busybodies.]

Better is a handful with [peace,] than both hands full with [strenuous work,] [that is:] [troubling,] [like trying to grab the wind.] [Proverbs 15:16-17 Better is little with the fear, [a.k.a. respect, for] the Lord, than great treasure, & trouble, [with it.] Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a [fattened calf,] & hatred, [with it.]

I returned, & then I saw [what is] vanity under the sun. There is [someone] alone, & [another] isn't there.] [Yes,] he [doesn't] [have a] child, nor [a] brother. [Still,] there is no end of all his [labor.] Neither is his eye satisfied with riches. Neither [does] he [say,] For whom do I [work,] & [deprive] my soul of good?      [1 John 2:15-17 [Don't] love the world, & neither [love] the things that are in the world. If any man [loves] the world, the love of the Father isn't [within] him. For all the lusts, [a.k.a. desires,] of the flesh, [desires] of the eyes, & the pride of life, that is in the world, isn't [from] the Father, but is [from] the world. And the world [passes] away, & the [lusts of it.] But he, [who does] the will of God [remains] forever.]

This is also vanity, [yes,] it [very troubling,] [like trying to grab the wind.] Two [living together] are better than one, because they have a good reward for their [labor.] For if they fall, the one will lift up his [companion.] But woe to him, [who] is alone when he [falls:] for he [doesn't have] another to help him up.

Again, if two lie together, they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if [someone tries to overpower] him, two [together] shall [be able to] [stand up to] him, [like] a cord [made of 3 strands] is not quickly broken.

Better is a poor, & wise child. [1 Samuel 18:22-28 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, [Talk] with David secretly, & say, [Look,] the king [has] delight in you, & all his servants love you. Therefore, now be the king's son-in-law. And Saul's servants [spoke] those words in the ears of David. And David said, [Does] it [seem] to you, a light, [a.k.a. small,] thing, to be a king's son-in-law, [since] I am a poor man, & lightly [respected?] And [Saul's] servants told him, saying, David [spoke] this. And Saul said, You shall say [this] to David, The king [doesn't] desire any dowry, but 100 foreskins [from] the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall, [a.k.a. die,] by the [hands] of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law, & the days [to do this]  weren't [over.] [For this reason,] David arose, & he, & his men went, & [killed] 200 Philistine men. And David brought their foreskins, & they gave [the] full [amount of] them, to the king, [so] that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal, his daughter [as his] wife. And Saul saw, & knew that the Lord was with David, & that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him.]

Than [for] an old, & foolish king, who will no [longer] be [warned.]  [1 Samuel 15:21-23 But the people took [from] the [plunder:] sheep, oxen & the [best] things, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal, which should have been [totally] destroyed. And Samuel said, [Has] the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings & sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? [See,] to obey is better than [sacrifices,] & to [pay attention] [is better] than the fat of rams. For rebellion is [like] the sin of: witchcraft, & stubbornness is [like] [the sin of:] iniquity, & idolatry. Because you, [a.k.a. king Saul,] have rejected the Word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.]

Also, [Jesus Christ, Who was] born in his, [a.k.a. Herod's] kingdom, [became] poor. [Philippians 2:5-8 Let [your] [minds within] you, also be [like that] in Christ Jesus, Who [is] in the [image] of God, & thought it not [a crime] to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, [a.k.a. without status,] & was made in the likeness of men, & took upon [Himself] the [image] of a servant. And being found in [the image like] a man, He humbled Himself, & became obedient [until] death, even the death [on] the cross.]

For He [came] out of prison to [rule.] [Luke 24:33-51 And they rose up the same hour, & returned to Jerusalem, & found the 11, & [those who] were with them, gathered together, Saying, The Lord Is indeed risen, & [has] appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done [on] the [road,] & how He was known [by] them, in breaking of bread. And as they [spoke this,] Jesus, Himself, stood in the [middle] of them, & [said] to them, Peace be to you. But they were terrified, & [frightened,] & supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [See] My hands, & My feet, that it is I, Myself. Handle Me, & see; for a spirit [doesn't have] flesh & bones, [like] you see Me have. And when He had spoken [this,] He [displayed] His hands & His feet [to] them. And while for joy, they [still didn't believe,] & wondered, He said to them, Have you any meat, [a.k.a. food,] here? And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, & [some] honeycomb. And He took it, & [ate] [it] [in front of] them. And He said to them, These are the Words [that] I [spoke] to you, while I was [still] with you, [so] that all things must be fulfilled, [that] are written in: the Law of Moses; the prophets; & in the Psalms [about] Me. Then, He opened their understanding, [so] that they might understand the Scriptures. And said to them, [Like this,] it is written, & [like this,] it [behooved, [a.k.a. was advantageous,] [for] Christ to suffer, & to rise from the dead the third day: [so] that repentance, & remission of sins, should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And [watch,] I send the promise of My Father upon you. But you [wait] in the city of Jerusalem, until you are [endowed, a.k.a. provided,] with power from on high. And He led them out, as far as to Bethany, & He lifted up His hands, & blessed them. *And it [happened,] while He blessed them, He was parted from them, & carried up into heaven.]

With the 2nd child, [a.k.a. youth, who] shall stand up in his stead, [a.k.a. place,] I considered all the living [who] walk under the sun. [1 Kings 3:5-13 In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, [at] night. And God said, Ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said, You [have demonstrated] great mercy to Your servant, David, my father, according as he walked, [a.k.a. followed,] before You in: Truth, Righteousness, & an [upright] heart with You. And You [have] kept for him this great kindness, that You [have] given him a son to sit on his throne, this day. And now, O Lord my God, You [have] made Your servant king instead of David, my father. And I am but a little child, [a.k.a. youth:] & I [don't] know how to go out, or come in. And your servant is in the midst of Your people, a [large] [amount of] people, which You [have] chosen, that can't be numbered, nor counted for [the] multitude. Therefore, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, [so] that I may discern between good & bad. For who is able to judge this, Your [very] great [amount of] people? And the speech, that Solomon had asked this thing, pleased the Lord. And God said to [Solomon,] Because you [have] asked this thing, & [haven't] asked for yourself: long life, riches, nor the [lives] of your enemies; but [have] asked for yourself: understanding to discern judgment, [a.k.a. justice.] [See,] I have done according to your words. [Look,] I have [even] given you: a wise & understanding heart, so that there [were] none like you, [prior to] you. Neither shall any after you arise [similar] to you. And I have also given you, [what] you [haven't] asked: both riches, & [honor,] so that there shall not be any among the kings [similar] to you all your days.]

There is no end of all the people, even of all, [who] have been before them.  [1 Samuel 12:6-13 And Samuel said to the people, It is the Lord, [Who] advanced, [a.k.a. promoted,] Moses & Aaron, & [Who] brought up your [forefathers] out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, standstill now, [so] that I may reason with you before the Lord, [about] all the [Lord's] righteous acts, [that] He did to you, & your [forefathers.] When Jacob [had] come into Egypt, your [forefathers] cried [out] to the Lord. Then, the Lord sent Moses, & Aaron, [who] brought [forward] your [forefathers] out of Egypt., & made them dwell in this place, [a.k.a. the Promised Land.] And when they [forgot] the Lord their God, He sold them into: the [hands] of Sisera, the captain of [Hazor's army;] & the [hands] of the Philistines; & the [hands] of the king of Moab; & they fought against them. And they cried [out] to the Lord, & said, We have sinned, because we have [abandoned] the Lord, & have served Baalim, & Ashtaroth. Now, deliver us out of the [hands] of our enemies, & we will serve You. And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, [a.k.a. Gideon;] & Bedan; & Jephthah; & Samuel; & delivered you out of the [hands] of your enemies on every side, & you dwelled [safely.] And when you saw that Nahash, the king of the children, [a.k.a. people,] of Ammon came against you, you said to me, [No,] but a king shall rule over us: when the Lord your God was your King. Therefore, now [see] your king whom you have desired, & chosen! And, [look,] the Lord [has] set a king over you.]

[Those who] also come [afterward] shall not rejoice in Him. [1 Kings 22:51-53 [During] the 17th year king Jehoshaphat of Judah [ruled,] Ahaziah, [Ahab's] son began to [rule] over Israel in Samaria, & [ruled] 2 years over Israel. And [Ahaziah] did evil in the sight of the Lord, & walked, [a.k.a. followed,] in the way of his father, [a.k.a. king Ahab,] & the way of his mother, [a.k.a. Jezebel,] & in the way of Jeroboam, [Nebat's] son, who made Israel sin: For he served Baal, & worshiped him, & provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.]

Surely, this is also vanity, & [troubling,] [like trying to grab the wind.] [Revelation 22:16-17 I, Jesus, have sent [My] Angel to testify these things to you in the churches. I Am the Root, & the Offspring, [a.k.a. from the lineage,] of David, & the Bright Morning Star. And the [Holy] Spirit & the bride say, Come. And let him [who hears] say, Come. And let him [who] is [thirsty,] come. And [whoever] [is] [willing,] let him take the Water of Life freely.]