The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 18 God Regards The Plight Of The Poor.

Life's reality is that the poor are taken advantage of. 

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. 

It was common for the poor to be taken advantage of by the kings deputies. The farther away from Jerusalem where the king abode, the worse the abuse. 

Though oppressors be high in position and power, God is above them, He knows their wrongdoings.  

God is higher than the highest of creatures, than the highest of princes, higher than any king. 

Jehovah is higher than the highest angels, or the thrones and dominions of the upper world. Though no man regards the plight of the poor, fatherless or widows, God does, and He will comfort them.

There was no man to plead the cause of the poor. They lacked resources to send a message to the king, or to have someone represent their situation. 

Solomon noted that justice was often perverted and violence done to the poor, widows, and fatherless of society. 

This means that wealthy princes or administrators for the king in far off places, unlawfully seized the property or assets of the poor. 

Those with power enriched themselves in the process, and the poor could do nothing about the gross injustice they suffered. 

For this was a frequent case under all governments; and especially in the provinces or colonies which being far from the seat of government, were generally oppressed by the sovereign’s deputies.

Solomon tells us that even though this is not right, we should not marvel when we learn of such injustice. It is the way of a sin cursed world. 

The phrase "he that is higher than the highest" refers to God who is over all and ruler of all. God knows what it going on in the lives of the poor, oppressed, fatherless and strangers. 

God made clear provision for the poor in His law. 

Exodus 22:21-24  Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22)  Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23)  If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24)  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 

However, the Bible tells us in many places that God takes notice of those who pervert judgment. He knows when a bureaucrat unlawfully enriches himself at the expense of those who cannot fight back.

God's commands not to take advantage of the widow, poor, fatherless or strangers in the land, are very clear. 

He will hear their cry. His anger will be directed at those wicked judges who perverted judgment. Jehovah will avenge them. 

Deuteronomy 14:28-29  At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29)  And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. 

God made it mandatory that the excess of tithes received by the priests be brought forth at the end of each three year period. 

Funds or foods would be distributed to the Levites, strangers, widows, and fatherless. They were to come and receive from the excess. In this manner, God provided for those who needed help (See Deuteronomy 15:11; 27:19; Psalm 68:5; 146:9; 147:3). 

As far as the poor, they were not to lose faith that God knows their affairs, and will plead for them. 

John tells us not to marvel if the world hates us (2 John 3:13). Peter reminds us not to think it is strange when a fiery trial comes our way (1 Peter 4:12). 

Those who know and serve Jehovah, will be under His caring gaze and watchful eye. 

Jehovah will judge those who wrong the poor and widows. 

Psalm 12:5  For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 

As for the wicked, they may get away with their crime in this life, but as soon as they die, they will be punished for their sins.  

Profits from the earth are for all to benefit from. 

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

Solomon now points out that there is more than enough resources in the entire world, to provide for for all people and creatures. 

The earth, if properly cultivated, is capable of producing food for every living creature; and without cultivation none has a right to expect bread.

Thus, Solomon reminds us that any person can benefit and earn a living. 

He demonstrates the high calling of agribusiness, farming and animal husbandry.  The king's table would be bare, if not for the labor of those who grow crops, and raise herds. 

Do not rob or oppress the poor. God will hold you to account.

Proverbs 22:22-23  Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23)  For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 

This is why God commands the wealthy and powerful not to take advantage of the poor, the common laborers. 

For it is through their hard work, that the king, princes, noblemen and all other people are able to sit down and eat. 

Those who love riches are never satisfied. 

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11)  When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

The idea in this text is that a rich man who gains more silver or gold, will never be satisfied. When he has large profits, he wants more profits. He never reaches a point where he can say, "I have enough."

When a rich man's wealth grows, he must hire more laborers and servants. Thus, he is really no better off by gaining more wealth, than he was before. 

1 Timothy 6:6-9  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9)  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

Paul was guided by the Spirit of God to give us valuable instruction about wealth and property in this life. The best lesson is when we learn to live godly and to be content with what we have, whether a lot or a little. 

We brought nothing into the world when we were born and when we die, we will carry nothing out with us. 

Those who are never satisfied and seek to become richer, fall into many problems that can lead to destruction and perdition.

A poor, working man sleeps well. The rich do not. 

Ecclesiastes 5:12  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.  

The hard working people who produce all the goods, and services that we need, will sleep well at night. A rich man will not sleep well, for he will lose sleep over how much money he has compared to how much he wants to gain. 

Such a life is full of vanity and vexation of spirit. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. 20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Jesus tells us not to concentrate on acquiring vast wealth or lots of land and possessions. What we own may be stolen, damaged, or we may die early and never enjoy it. 

Far better for believers in Christ, to lay up heavenly treasures, by seeking God first in all that we do. We lay up heavenly treasure when we spend time serving God, being His faithful witnesses, cheerfully giving our tithes to our local church. 

Our Father knows our needs and He has promised to provide for them. The seed of the righteous have never gone begging for bread, because our Father provides (See Matthew 6:25-34). 

I pray that we will think about these truths. May the Lord help us respect those who work hard to feed us, cloth us, and to supply all that we need for this life. 

If we have any arrogance in us because we have more education, more status, or more wealth than others, may the Spirit of God rain down conviction upon us. 

May we rejoice for those who work hard because they are a rich blessing to all people. 

May we lay up heavenly treasure for ourselves and allow the Lord to use whatever resources we have, to be a blessing to the poor and afflicted. 

Bob