Ecclesiastes 5:13-17

The effect of misfortune 5:13-17

The Hebrew expression translated "bad investment" (Ecclesiastes 5:14) refers to any misfortune that results in the loss of wealth. Striving to hoard the fruits of labor is futile, because any misfortune can overtake one and reduce him or her to poverty-if God allows it. Death itself is such a misfortune that overtakes everyone eventually and robs him of his wealth. No one can take the fruits of his labor with him when he dies. Therefore Solomon concluded that we really gain nothing of truly long-term value from our labor. Ecclesiastes 5:17 pictures the miserly workaholic. One example is Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The way to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor 5:18-6:9

Again Solomon urged the enjoyment of life (Ecclesiastes 5:18; cf. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 3:22), but he warned of some obstacles to that enjoyment. Solomon was not advocating hedonism but the simple enjoyment of life day by day (Ecclesiastes 5:18). In other words, he recommended that we take some time to enjoy the beautiful experiences of life as we travel down its path. Seize the day (Lat. carpe diem)! Smell the roses!

However, not everyone can enjoy life for one reason or another, even though one may be wealthy (Ecclesiastes 6:1-2). This problem "weighs heavily on men" (NIV, Ecclesiastes 5:1; better than NASB "is prevalent among men"). Only in heaven will we find the solution to why this has been the earthly portion of various individuals. A miscarried baby (Ecclesiastes 5:3) is better off, in that it has not experienced as much sorrow as the rich man who could not enjoy his wealth. The "one place" (Ecclesiastes 5:6) is the grave.

"Better to miscarry at birth than to miscarry throughout life." [Note: Eaton, p. 106.]

Solomon’s final word of counsel was to be content with what you have (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9; cf. Hebrews 13:5). This is the last of nine times the phrase "striving after wind" occurs (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:14; Ecclesiastes 1:17; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ecclesiastes 4:4; Ecclesiastes 4:6; Ecclesiastes 4:16). It opened and now closes the section of the book dealing with the ultimate futility of human achievement (Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 6:9).