Confessions of a People-Watcher (Ecclesiastes 4:1-16)

Big Idea: Life brings oppression, dissatisfaction, and fleeting praise, but in relationships and faith in Christ we find purpose, peace, redemption, and lasting joy.

This past week brought our first nice weather of the year, marking the start of people-watching season in Canada. You know what I mean. I've seen some of you.

Some people sit quietly in crowded spaces, simply observing human behavior. Some people are less obvious.

I lived across the street from someone who would sit by the front window and watch the neighbors, moving the curtain aside for a better view. People-watching is not necessarily a bad thing.

Philips Brooks, an Anglican Bishop in Massachusetts a century ago, told his students to read three "books": the Bible, the book of nature, and the book of mankind. That's not bad advice.

Observing and learning from human behavior is one of the best ways to gain wisdom and understand life. To make insights from the lives of others.

You know, when you're a teenager and a young adult, you think you have life figured out. You have life by the tail. You can make all sorts of "absolutes." But you find as you get older and experience the complexities of life that you learn a lot, don't you?

This morning we're going to join one of the greatest people-watchers of all time. The writer of Ecclesiastes was not just a theoretical scholar; he had experienced real life firsthand.

This morning, we'll explore the results of his people-watching, focusing on four scenes from Ecclesiastes 4. Remember, Solomon is attempting to construct a philosophy of life, a reason for living.

Four Scenes

And in this chapter, Solomon records his observations from visiting four places and watching people. Let's look at these four scenes, and let's ask ourselves two questions for each scene. Question number one: Have things changed? Question number two: What can we learn from this scene?

Scene One

The first place Solomon visits, in Ecclesiastes 4:1, is the courtroom.

Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3)

Somewhere, the writer stood back and saw events unfold. It likely could have been a courtroom. And what Solomon observed is this: there is oppression and injustice, pain and sorrow.

Those who inflict oppression and injustice are indifferent to the pain and sorrow they cause. Oppression and injustice were rampant back then, and people suffered as a result.

Question number one: Have things changed? I don't think so. Since the fall of Adam, corruption and injustice have also existed. And things are no better today.

Question number two: what can we learn from this? Solomon's words are striking. One version states: "So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living."

In other words, those who have died are better off as they no longer endure the widespread oppression in every society. And verse 3 is also striking: "But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun."

Haven't you heard some say that they wonder whether it is fair to bring a child into the world?

What can we learn from this? Some people go through unimaginably hard things in their lives. A woman I know has been widowed and has lost two of her children.

I was in church on a Sunday night when the police arrived and asked to speak to the pastor. A few minutes later, it was announced that her son had died in a car accident just a couple of miles from the church.

I've talked to others who have experienced bankruptcy or a loved one committing suicide. It reminds us of the words of that old spiritual they used to sing down south, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen."

Life is undeniably tough. From an "under the sun" perspective—one that leaves God out of the equation—it can seem as though it might be better not to exist at all. I don’t believe Solomon was advocating for despair or suicide here. He was simply stating, “Maybe it would have been better never to be born or to have already died.” It’s an honest reflection of life’s futility when viewed solely from a human, earthly vantage point.

But for God's child, there is another perspective.

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope... (Romans 5:3-4)

I'm not about to give someone who's suffering some glib platitudes. God works in the lives of His children during tough times, achieving growth in our souls that wouldn't happen otherwise.

Adversity produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Let me tell you this morning that some of the most godly people I know have suffered much in their life, and yet they are better, not bitter. And I have learned from it.

Scene number one tells us that there is oppression and injustice. But God is able to redeem those tough times and use it for our soul's benefit. Let's move on to

Scene Two

And scene two is the marketplace.

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. (Ecclesiastes 4:4-8)

I like going to the marketplace and watching people work, because it's a lot better than working! Solomon goes to the marketplace and observes human behavior.

In verse four, he observes that a man may work very hard, but what about his heart? He concludes that many work hard at their jobs for one reason: to compete with others and make more money. To get ahead in the rat race in the spirit of competition.

It's a dog-eat-dog mentality. Honest labor is valuable, but often it's driven by a desire to outdo others. And he concludes that this, too, is meaningless.

Solomon next looks at a lazy person in verse five, and notices that a fool folds his hands and ruins himself. He notices that laziness leads slowly to self-destruction.

Equally troubling, Solomon points out, is the futility of relentless human striving. "Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:6). A hand filled with peace and contentment is much better than two fists fighting desperately to get to the top.

Then Solomon observed a solitary man working. No matter how hard he worked and no matter how much money he made, he still wanted more. And yet this man had no partners or relatives, nor did he have any time to enjoy his wealth.

Solomon wonders, what's the use? Did he ever stop to ask what he was working for? When he dies, he has no one to leave the money to. When he's alive, he has no time to enjoy his wealth. What's the use?

I want to ask you the first question: Have things changed? One day, if you don't have anything to do, go down to Union Station and sit on a bench and watch the people go to work.

Or drive to an overpass on top of the Gardiner Expressway and watch people drive to work. Watch people's expressions as they are going to their jobs.

For a valuable education, visit a top floor of an office tower in Toronto where high-powered executives work. You can usually pick them out by their Armani suits and their power ties.

Pretend that you're lost as you observe these executives coming and going. Society tells us that the recipe to the top is to work, work, work, fight, fight, fight, sell, sell, sell. But how does it look once people reach the top?

At the top, you have a nameplate, an attached bathroom, a parking spot, a great view, and a sofa in your office. Does it satisfy? Look at the expressions on the faces of the executives. Has it been worth it? I would conclude that things have not changed.

Question number two: what can we learn from this? Listen, because some people never figure this out. Career success and material possessions cannot fulfill the deeper needs of a person created in God's image.

True success doesn't come from working harder and climbing higher. One man was an incredible success in his life and said this:

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Luke 12:19)

That did not end up being a good decision.

But God said to him, "Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:20-21)

Two more scenes.

Scene Three

Solomon observes humans and sees the value of companionship.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

He is not talking here primarily of husband and wife, but simply the value of being in relationship with others.

He observes that when working, two workers get more done. Even if they divide the profits, they still get a better return for their efforts.

When walking back then, the roads were not paved or leveled. It was very possible that you might fall and injure yourself. Solomon observes that it's much better to have someone there to pick you up when you fall.

When the two came to camp out in the cold Palestinian night, Solomon observes that it's easier to stay warm if there are two of you. And in the middle of the night, one can keep watch. You feel safer when there's another person around, and Solomon says that three is even better.

Have things changed? I don't think so.

What can we learn from this? Solomon realized that having friends can help us cope with life's challenges in a troubled world.

The more difficult life is, the better it is to have friends there to help us. We all need friends.

Scene Four

Solomon draws our attention to one more scene in verses 13 to 16.

Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place. There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

It goes like this: there's a youth who started in prison. When he was released, he became king, and everyone cheered for the underdog.

But what happens when someone has been king for a while? Everyone tires of them, and they're glad to be rid of him.

Rulers are initially welcomed with enthusiasm, but over time, people become disillusioned and want them removed. Look at any coach, any politician. The people that cheered you yesterday are the same ones who want you hanged today.

Is this still true today? I think so.

What can we learn from this? Popularity is fickle. Yesterday's hero is old news; who needs them anymore? You can't build your life on such an unstable foundation.

Conclusion

It's easy to become cynical as we observe human behavior around us. Solomon observes the oppression and the rat race and says, "What's the use? It's all vanity."

Maybe now would be a good time to look at our lives. This past week I was on a roof for three days shingling. It gave me a good view of the street and those passing by.

I saw people leave for work in the morning and return at night. I saw them garden and mow and play in the evenings and on Saturday. If I sat on the roof for a year and observed the same people, what would my conclusions be?

If I followed you for a week, what would my conclusions be? If I looked at my own life, what would my conclusions be?

There's oppression in life, there's no real lasting satisfaction in our careers, and popularity is fickle. You know, there are only a few places left to turn. One is companionship.

As Solomon points out, as we turn to others, we find that two are better than one. We need each other. We need human friendship and love to help us through this life that is so difficult and confusing.

Sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is knowing that someone else cares. While people-watching, the best sight might be two or three individuals walking together, enjoying each other's company, and offering support.

Maybe they will help to make sense of everything else we see. Sometimes all we need to know is that somebody else cares.

And where else can we turn? Life can be confusing and difficult due to adversity and oppression, but we can always turn to God for support.

God doesn't oppress. God is just and fair. God makes sense of our work—instead of working out of envy or a desire to get ahead, we can work for God and please him in everything we do.

God isn't fickle. We're not popular with God one day and forgotten by him the next. God always loves us. As we surrender ourselves to God, we find a peace that overtakes our souls even in the midst of adversity. "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Take a closer look at the people around you, and even at your own life. People with credible and purposeful lives tend to build meaningful friendships and are committed to loving and serving God. The good news is, you can be that kind of person too. As you live a life marked by love, faithfulness, and service, others will see the difference and be drawn to God through your example.Take a closer look at the people around you, and even at your own life. People with credible and purposeful lives tend to build meaningful friendships and are committed to loving and serving God. The good news is, you can be that kind of person too. As you live a life marked by love, faithfulness, and service, others will see the difference and be drawn to God through your example.

But Solomon's observations point to something even deeper. In Jesus Christ, we find the answer to each scene of human futility. Where oppression reigns, Jesus was the ultimate oppressed one who suffered for our sake. Where work fails to satisfy, Jesus offers the living water that truly quenches our deepest thirst. Where companionship is needed, Jesus calls himself our friend who will never leave or forsake us. And where popularity fades, Jesus remains the unchanging King of Kings whose dominion has no end. The gospel transforms our broken world through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, making all things new.