Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, Possessing Joy

Ecclesiastes 5:18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. [19] As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor–this is the gift of God. [20] For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

Twice we have seen iterations of this concept in Ecclesiastes. It first appeared in 2:24, and again in 3:13. Moreover, it is of note to add that when we first encounter this notion the NASB renders verse 2:24 as, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good.” In a footnote we find that the Hebrew actually says, “cause his soul to see good in his labor.” So to paraphrase, the verse would read, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and cause his soul to see good in his labor.” 

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, Arrival & Departure

Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: riches kept for their owner to his hurt. [14] But those riches perish through misfortune; when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. [15] As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came, and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand. [16] And this also is a severe evil–just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? [17] All his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.

The preacher begins to unfold a tale of some severe evil he bore witness to. As Christ our Lord would begin a parable this way, so too does the preacher begin with a certain rich man who hoarded his wealth.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, A Middle Ground

Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

This verse appears to be the final in a trifecta, or trinity of passages beginning with verse 10. It starts with the greedy man loving silver and abundance but never being satisfied with either. Then verse 11 moves on to the increase of goods and those who purchase them for no genuine benefit other than to possess them and admire them.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, When Greed Runs Rampant

Ecclesiastes 5:11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes?

The NIV renders this verse, “As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?” The Tanakh reads, “As his substance increases, so do those who consume it; what, then, does the success of its owner amount to except feasting his eyes?”

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, Oppression, Profit, & Abundance

Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them. [9] Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.

The preacher first approached this topic at the beginning of chapter 4, noting that the oppressed weep because they lack a comforter; whereas the oppressors have strength, or power, to oppress without opposition, Ecclesiastes 4:1.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, Many Words

Ecclesiastes 5:6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse [lit. voice] and destroy the work of your hands? [7] For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

This entire chapter continues to focus on drawing near to God in His house. Verse 1 elicits the advice that if you draw near, come close to hear rather than offer the sacrifice of fools. Continuing his assault on foolishness, the preacher exhorts his readership to avoid rashness in speech because God is in Heaven, identifying Him as Creator and King of the created order, whereas we are his creatures.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, The Perils Of Vowing

Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed– [5] Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Vowing is an OT act in which a penitent voluntarily makes an oath to God, swearing to give or to perform whatever it was that they spoke. We read, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not be slack to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin in you. But if you refrain from vowing, it shall be no sin in you. You shall be careful to perform what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth,” Deuteronomy 23:21-23, RSV.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Five, When Fools Speak

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.

We still find ourselves in God’s house with this passage. However, the preacher is quick to give God His due by pointing out that the temple, while hosting the Shekinah glory, is not God’s house. He simply writes, “God is in heaven.” Through the prophet God tells us, “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?” Isaiah 66:1. While revealing Himself to be greater than any temple could hold, Yahweh does explain that He notices, “him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word,” Isaiah 66:2.