What does Ecclesiastes 4:3 reveal about the value of life and suffering? Setting the scene in Ecclesiastes 4:3 “But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.” What Solomon observes under the sun • Solomon surveys a world marred by oppression (Ecclesiastes 4:1-2). • From a strictly earthly vantage point (“under the sun”), the suffering seems so relentless that never entering this life appears preferable. • This is descriptive—not prescriptive. Scripture records Solomon’s honest assessment of fallen reality, not a divine endorsement of despair. Life’s value affirmed throughout Scripture • Humanity bears God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27); therefore every life possesses inherent dignity. • God personally knits each person together in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). • Christ came that we “may have life, and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). • Ecclesiastes 4:3 highlights life’s pain, yet the broader biblical witness insists life is a precious gift meant for fellowship with God. The purpose of suffering in God’s plan • Suffering exposes the curse of sin and drives us to long for redemption (Romans 8:20-23). • For believers, present affliction is producing “an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). • God uses trials to refine faith like gold (1 Peter 1:6-7), shaping us for Christ-likeness (Romans 8:28-29). How Ecclesiastes 4:3 fits within the gospel narrative • The verse voices the hopelessness of viewing life without eternity in view. • It implicitly points to our need for a Savior who conquers evil, guarantees resurrection, and wipes away every tear (Revelation 21:4). • In Christ, even the darkest suffering is infused with divine purpose and ends in everlasting joy. Practical takeaways for today • Acknowledge the real pain in this fallen world; Scripture does not minimize it. • Refuse despair by remembering God’s verdict on life—it is “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and destined for renewal. • Stand for the unborn and the oppressed, affirming the value of every person God creates. • Face suffering with hope, confident that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). |
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