“ALL WAS VEXATION AND VANITY OF THE SPIRIT!”
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had labored to do and behold, all was vanity and vexation of the spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
OPENING COMMENTARY
I have appealed to the Ecclesia to turn to their faith and to be prepare, to live in it, within the very near future. As I prayed for the Lord to reveal what todays message was to be the Holy Spirit led me to Ecclesiastes 4:4-6.
If a man be acute, and dexterous, and successful in his business, he gets the ill-will of his neighbours, Ecclesiastes 4:4. Though he takes a great deal of pains, and goes through all travail, does not get his estate easily, but it costs him a great deal of hard labour, nor does he get it dishonestly, he wrongs no man, defrauds no man, but by every right work, by applying himself to his own proper business, and managing it by all the rules of equity and fair dealing, yet for this he is envied by his neighbor, and the more for the reputation he has built by his honesty.
What we are about to recognize is a great foundation for believers to turn to living in faith, by faith, and with faith. The following discourse given by Solomon, is as good a reason that has been revealed.
This shows 1. What little conscience most men have, that they will bear a grudge to a neighbour, give him an ill word and do him an ill turn, only because he is more ingenious and industrious than themselves, and has more of the blessing of heaven. Cain envied Abel, Esau Jacob, and Saul David, and all for their right works. This is downright diabolism
- What little comfort-wise and useful men must expect to have in this world. Let them behave themselves ever so cautiously, they cannot escape being envied and who can stand before envy? Proverbs 27:4.
Those that excel in virtue will always be an eye-sore to those that exceed in vice, which should not discourage us from any right work, but drive us to expect the praise of it, not from men, but from God, and not to count upon satisfaction and happiness in the creature for, if right works prove vanity and vexation of spirit, no works under the sun can prove otherwise.
But for every right work a man shall be accepted of his God, and then he needs not mind though he be envied of his neighbor, only it may make him love the world the less.
Something believers must be cautious of when living by faith is believing they can become idle, thinking the Father will provide sustenance for our body and homes without any input on their part.
Solomon, in these verses, addresses himself to the sluggard who loves his ease, lives in idleness, minds no business, sticks to nothing, brings nothing to pass, and in a particular manner is careless in the business of religion. Slothfulness is as sure a way to poverty, though not so short a way, as rash certainty. He speaks here to the sluggard,
The view which Solomon took of the field and vineyard of the slothful man. He did not go on purpose to see it, but, as he passed by, observing the fruitfulness of the ground, as it is very proper for travelers to do, and his subjects’ management of their land, as it is very proper for magistrates to do, he cast his eye upon a field and a vineyard unlike all the rest; for, though the soil was good, yet there was nothing growing in them but thorns and nettles, not here and there one, but they were all overrun with weeds; and, if there had been any fruit, it would have been eaten up by the beasts, for there was no fence.
The stone-wall was broken down see the effects of that curse upon the ground (Genesis 3:18), “Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee, and nothing else unless thou take pains with it” See what a blessing to the world the husbandman’s calling is, and what a wilderness this earth, even Canaan itself, would be without it.
The king himself is served of the field, but he would be ill served if God did not teach the husbandman discretion and diligence to clear the ground, plant it, sow it, and fence it.
See what a great difference there is between some and others in the management even of their worldly affairs, and how little some consult their reputation, not caring though they proclaim their slothfulness, in the manifest effects of it, to all that pass by, shamed by their neighbour’s diligence.
Solomon points out the errors of slothfulness, we then will look at the other side. He notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness.
But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.
Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs.
He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favour of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life.
The distant relations or strangers who inherit such a man’s wealth, never thank him. Covetousness gathers strength by time and habit; men tottering on the brink of the grave, grow more grasping and griping.
Alas, and how often do we see men professing to be followers of Him, who, “though he was rich, for our sakes became poor,” anxiously scraping money together and holding it fast, excusing themselves by commonplace talking about the necessity of care, and the danger of extravagance!
Surely, he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. In all thing’s union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. They warm each other’s hearts while they converse together of the love of Christ or join in singing his praises.
Then let us improve our opportunities of Christian fellowship. In these things all is not vanity, though there will be some alloy if we are under the sun. Where two are closely joined in holy love and fellowship, Christ will by his Spirit come to them; then there is a threefold cord.
The days ahead will be filled with those who are abiding in faith, maintaining the First and Second Commandments journeying as God’s bright lights, and examples of His Love compassion, forgiveness and most of all His Grace.
CLOSING PRAYER by Robert
Father as you have us in your presence and hold us in your hands, we ask for your gentleness to be upon us that we may know how it feels and are able to share it. Receive our devotion and submission to your will as dedicated servants humbly bowing before your throne, Shape and mould us into the disciples you desire Father. Fill us with your wisdom that we might hold no fear or doubt as we go forward sharing your light, living water, love, compassion, and healings as your “Modern Day Disciples. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.
Remember these articles are from a humble obedient servant doing Yeshua’s bidding as He reveals His warnings. I pray our Lord Yeshua blesses each and everyone along with your families. Go in peace.
Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Robert
