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In chapter 4: He considers all the oppressions, and concludes it better to be either
already dead, or not yet born--anything but being ALIVE! He passes in review the envy
and the vexation of life, the childless man labouring endlessly--for whom? Then after
speaking about the fickle fate of kings, he enters the sanctuary of God. Asaph in
Psa. 73: passes along the same road as Koheleth. They record their findings in
different terms, but their findings throughout are the same. In the house of God (5: 1-8)
he learns to view "oppression" without such bitterness as he did in 4: 1. There he saw
"no comforter": here he says:--
"Marvel not at the matter: for He that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be
higher than they."
This is a definite acquisition. God knows, and regards, and is higher than the highest.
He now returns to his theme, considering riches from a threefold standpoint (5: 9-17) and
coming to a conclusion concerning that which is "good and comely"--because "God hath
given him power to eat of his possessions". This is contrasted with an "evil" wherein
"God giveth not power to eat thereof" (6: 1, 2).
Life, viewed particularly in its utmost length, is considered and the conclusion is that a
life of a thousand years twice told is in vain, where no good is seen. Then comes the
contrasting reference to GOD, viz., MAN:--
"That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he
contend with Him that is mightier than he."
This is in exact balance with the words, "He that is higher than the highest", and forms
part of the structure, as we may see later. In the sanctuary of God Koheleth learned that
God is higher than the highest. He also realized that it is vain for man to attempt to judge
God; the word "contend" being the Hebrew "din". God is mightier than man. It is the
same word used by Nebuchadnezzar when he too learned the same lesson that "the Most
High ruleth in the kingdom of men", for he said "how mighty are His wonders"
(Dan. 4: 3). Job's arguments were all stopped by the revelation of Him Who is mightier
than man.
We leave this somewhat enigmatical verse (Eccles. 6: 11) for the time, and journey
on. Verse 12 asks the question of the book, "Who knoweth WHAT IS GOOD for man in
this life?" This life is then defined as "All the days of his vain life which he spendeth as
a shadow". The reason why the quest is difficult is further explained, "for who can tell a
man what shall be after him, under the sun?" In other words, "If a man die, shall he live
again?" Let us notice the balance of thought here.
Question. | a | For who knoweth
b | What is good
c | For man in this life?
This life defined. Vain life, spent like a shadow.