Ecclesiastes 4
Have you ever wished you could just get away from it all? People get on your nerves, circumstances ruin your plans, and the best solution to the problem seems to be to “go it alone.” But is it the best solution?
As Solomon looked at the problems of life, he saw adversity and inequality (vv. 1–6), but he realized that nobody can make it alone. The solitary worker may get all the profits, but he is so busy making money that he has no time to enjoy it (vv.
There are risks in society as well as rewards, but the rewards are greater. If you fall and break a leg, or if you are in danger, you are thankful to have a friend at your side to help you (vv. 9–12). We all need times of solitude, but nobody can be independent. Life is tough enough even when we have friends to encourage us. What would it be like if we had to do it alone?
“Loneliness is the first thing which God’s eye named not good. (See Gen. 2:18.)”
John Milton