Ecclesiastes 5:7 – For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities:  but fear thou God.

 

Thought:  Dreams have been a concern of many since man has dreamed them.  Individuals attempt to put great significance on them.  Dreams, however, are a dime a dozen.  Everyone has them.  Thousands of dreams that mean nothing are dreamed nightly.  Too, the words that individuals speak are often vanity.  They are not filled with truth and meaning.  The focus of one’s life really needs to be the fear of God.  He alone is true and dependable.  He is a rock and a refuge to all who give Him honor.

 

Proverbs 23:17

 

Commentary:

 

A.     In a previous verse, Solomon mentioned one of the causes of dreams, a multitude of business.

 

B.      Now, he tells us that a multitude of dreams and many words create divers vanities.

1.       Every night, millions and millions of people dream dreams.

a.  Some we only slightly remember.

b.  Some we remember and are glad they are only dreams.

c.  Some dreams terrify us.

d. Some involve people and events that are familiar to us.

e.  Some involve people and things that we know nothing about.

f.  Some dreams are dreamed, and we never know we dream them.

g.  NOTE:  Solomon notes that in a multitude of dreams there is uselessness and emptiness.

2.       The same is true of the multitude of words that are spoken in our world.

a.  How many words are spoken that really mean very much?

b.  How many words are spoken that will be remembered even shortly after they are

     uttered?

c.  How many people will speak tirelessly about things of which they know very little?

3.       Yet, people have spent thousands of hours studying dreams and people continue to speak endlessly with much ado about nothing.

 

C.     The place wherein man should really invest time and attention is often of little concern to him.  His energies need to be focused on “the fear of God.”

1.       When a person studies the word “fear” in connection with his relationship with God, it involves more than just the idea of respect, honor, and awe.

2.       The concept of fear involves trust, obedience, respect, knowledge, and a host of other important elements of the Christian’s life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 5:8 – If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter:  for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

 

Thought:  Man seems to marvel when the poor are oppressed, and judgment is perverted.  Solomon writes:  “Marvel not at the matter.”  Injustice isn’t new.  Many get angry and respond with wrath and violence.  One thing should be remembered:  “he that is higher than the highest regardeth.”  God who occupies the highest throne in the universe knows what is happening.  One day, He will right all the wrongs.  He will punish all those who pervert justice and remove the voice of the poor and widow.

 

Amos 8:4-7

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     The poor have been in the world almost since the beginning of humanity.  Too, they will always be in the world according to Jesus (Matt. 26:11).

 

For ye have the poor always with you.

 

B.      The poor can be easily oppressed.

1.       They are weaker than those with riches.

2.       They are not able to pay the high prices for those who could defend them.

3.       The poor do not have many in society who truly care about them.

4.       The poor are viewed as a nuisance. 

5.       Some believe the poor get what they deserve when treated unjustly because they do not work and constantly desire handouts from others.

 

C.     Solomon, therefore, issues this admonition about the injustices committed against the poor:  “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter.

1.       This is a statement that shocks the hearer.

2.       We believe someone should step in and immediately come to the aid of the poor. 

3.       NOTE:  Solomon does not say:  “Do not assist the poor.”  He says:  “Marvel not at the matter.” 

 

D.     He provides the reason why we should not marvel.

1.       There is one who exists who is “higher than the highest.” 

a.  All nations have an individual who is considered supreme who rules over them (Ex., the

     President of the United States).

b.  All nations usually have supreme judges that decide weighty matters of the law (Ex., the

     Supreme Court of the United States).

c.  NOTE:  There is a being who is “higher than the highest.”  That being is God Almighty.

                        1)  He is the King of Kings.

                        2)  He is the Governor among the nations.

                        3)  He is the Chief Shepherd.

                        4)  He is the Judge of all the earth.

                  d..  Isaiah 57:15a

 

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place…

 

 

            2.   He “regardeth”

                  a.  Strong (8104):  to attend to

                  b.  BDB:  give heed, keep watch, observe

                  c.  God is aware of the plight of the poor.  One day God will right the injustices that have

                       been committed against them.

                  d.  Example:   The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:22-25).

 

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom:  the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:  but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 5:9 – Moreover the profit of the earth is for all:  the king himself is served by the field.

 

Thought:  Before kings and those in power, seek to do harm to “the little guy,” they need to remember that all men are dependent upon one another.  The laborer depends on the king for protection from the evil doers.  The king depends on the laborer for the goods produced in the field.  Each, therefore, should seek the other’s best interest and the kingdom will flourish.  If they do not, the kingdom suffers. 

 

I Samuel 8:12-16

 

Commentary:

 

A.     God created the earth to be used for man’s benefit (Gen. 1:28-29).

 

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every creeping thing that moveth upon the earth.  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of the tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

 

B.      God wanted all men to profit from the earth. 

 

C.     He then reminds the king that he himself “is served by the field.”

1.       All foods, both plant and animal varieties, come forth from the field.

All of the materials used for building, production, travel, and commerce originate in the field.

2.       NOTE:  The king does not go out into the field to produce these things for himself.  He has others who work and labor on his behalf. 

3.       LESSON:  The king needs to remember and have a deep regard for “the little man.”

a.   He should appreciate and honor the person who toils with his hands.

b.   However, it is easy for those in power to forget the laborer. 

      1)  They can cut his wages.

      2)  They can make his work hard and his hours long.

      3)  They can pervert justice for him in a court of law.

      4)  They can seek to control every aspect of his life for their benefit.

      5)  They can remove all of their benefits and incentives to work.

      6)  They can create legislation that makes his life difficult.

      7)  They can humiliate him and bring him to poverty.

      8)  If one of the laborers grows ill or dies, another can easily be forced into his place.

                  d.   The reasons they forget are many:

                        1)  They have never had to labor with their hands.

                        2)  They are selfish individuals.

                        3)  They allow greed to rule their hearts.

                        4)  They love power and control.