Ecclesiastes - Chapter 6
At the end of chapter 5 the preacher spoke of the failed circumstance that can harm the wealthy. In chapter 6 he will press onward with the similar view but with suggestions on how to deal with that circumstance. The best answer Solomon gives to the final thought of chapter 5 is that we should enjoy what we have, whether it be much or little, and not try to hoard it, which can be a compulsion for those who are blessed with much.
What we have is a gift from God, created and provided by Him. Like all of His creation, these gifts are good (as He so kindly taught us in Genesis).
The frustrations of the wealthy (1-9):
Solomon reminds us that the primary frustration of those with wealth is that it may be taken from them at any moment. If the aim of one is to gather wealth in this life, there is no greater worry.
Here Solomon introduces another observation by his clear and concise words of
“... I have seen...” meaning he has observed it for himself as opposed to having been told of it from others. He speaks of the potential of financial loss and he is quite direct in observing that when it occurs, it comes from the sovereign hand of God. The Lord is the source of wealth, and further is the driver of the status and esteem that is derived from it. These are His gifts of grace which, according to the preacher, accounts for why some are given much and some are given little. In his day, just as in ours, grace is seen but is not fully understood by man as some are subject to more grace and some are not.
Solomon uses the example of a “stranger” (someone from outside) who assumes control of wealth of others and proceeds to enjoy it. His conclusion is now familiar to us as he decides in verse 9 that it is vanity and grasping for the wind (again). Once more we see he concludes a verdict of vanity and we see the mystery that plagues life's situations which are impossible to make sense of and become baffling.
The reflection on these matters centers on the plight of the one who suffers. Solomon puts it as bluntly as we have ever heard in all of scripture. He is better off dead.
Nothing can compensate him for his loss adequately, not a large family nor a long life. The most powerful comparison our preacher allows comes next. This one who suffers is compared to a stillborn child. This one who suffers loss, now deprived of the pleasure of enjoying the fruits of his labor is worse off that a baby born deprived of life. Mystery and lack of life's identity are pictured as the fate of the infant. Vanity (mystery) once more is said to be the reality of why some babies are taken from life in the womb while others come into the world kicking & screaming with life. Why is it so?
The stillborn have an advantage as they are not subject to the pain of vexing loss. The leveling effect of death is once more evident.
Verse 9 begins a final proverb of this small but powerful section. Those who study these writings are advised to make the most of our present circumstances, described as the events and things that lie in “... the sight of the eyes...”.
Be content with what you have, work, food, family and do not count on that which may be beyond your reach. What you see with your eyes you can deal with. What you crave in your soul may not be able to be gained. Life may not get better while we remain here on earth.
The limits of freedom (10-12):
Now the preacher turns to the subject of the reflection on the limits placed upon freedom of human life. Human destiny is fixed in God's hand and fretting about the past or striving to plot some grand future are things on which no energy should be spent. Even our ability to talk gives human beings no advantage. Who can out argue God, especially since He knows our hearts and we do not know His?
The ultimate human limitation is the inability to know our future. A double question haunts us within these verses. Who knows and who can tell? No one but God knows and He is not telling. The uses here of the words “vain” and “shadow” suggest life without substance that rests in our control. Life is not understandable, not reliable, and certainly not meaningful.
Here is much pondering for no gain.
The serenity prayer helps many who suffer addiction to grasp that they need to ask for the serenity to know the difference between what they can change and what they cannot.
Jesus preached on this very topic in Matthew 6 when He taught:
“... therefore do not worry saying... what shall we eat?... what shall we drink?... what shall we wear?... your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things”.
Doing God's will is more important than gaining goods. Being rich toward the Lord should be our effort and nothing less. Here is a good time to recall the further teaching of our Lord in Mark 10 which confirmed that those who give up the possession of this world to serve the Lord will be repaid 100 times in the next and much better world.