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본문의 중심내용

전도자는 홀로 수고하는 것보다 함께 수고하며 서로 협력하는 게 더 유익하며, 가난하더라도 지혜로운 젊은이가 어리석고 늙은 왕보다 낫다고 말합니다. 

[ 전도서 4:7 - 4:16 ] (찬송221장)

홀로 있음의 안타까움 

7내가 또 다시 해 아래에서 헛된 것을 보았도다 8어떤 사람은 아들도 없고 형제도 없이 홀로 있으나 그의 모든 수고에는 끝이 없도다 또 비록 그의 눈은 부요를 족하게 여기지 아니하면서 이르기를 내가 누구를 위하여는 이같이 수고하고 나를 위하여는 행복을 누리지 못하게 하는가 하여도 이것도 헛되어 불행한 노고로다

 둘의 유익 

 9두 사람이 한 사람보다 나음은 그들이 수고함으로 좋은 상을 얻을 것임이라 10혹시 그들이 넘어지면 하나가 그 동무를 붙들어 일으키려니와 홀로 있어 넘어지고 붙들어 일으킬 자가 없는 자에게는 화가 있으리라 11또 두 사람이 함께 누우면 따뜻하거니와 한 사람이면 어찌 따뜻하랴 12한 사람이면 패하겠거니와 두 사람이면 맞설 수 있나니 세 겹 줄은 쉽게 끊어지지 아니하느니라

 권력의 무상함 

 13가난하여도 지혜로운 젊은이가 늙고 둔하여 경고를 더 받을 줄 모르는 왕보다 나으니 14그는 자기의 나라에서 가난하게 태어났을지라도 감옥에서 나와 왕이 되었음이니라 15내가 본즉 해 아래에서 다니는 인생들이 왕의 다음 자리에 있다가 왕을 대신하여 일어난 젊은이와 함께 있고 16그의 치리를 받는 모든 백성들이 무수하였을지라도 후에 오는 자들은 그를 기뻐하지 아니하리니 이것도 헛되어 바람을 잡는 것이로다

[ Ecclesiastes 4:7 - 4:16 ]

7Again, I saw vanity under the sun:8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor.15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king’s place.16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 

Who is God like?

Thinking & Understanding

The preacher declared that it was better to help one another, to work and fight together, than to labour alone. He argued that even though it seemed good and comfortable to live alone, it was more beneficial for two people to live together as they could work together, help one another and fight together against enemies (vv. 7-12). By comparing a poor and wise youth to an old foolish king, the preacher declared that wisdom was beneficial, but he also added that even the benefits of that wisdom (honour and fame) would not last (vv. 13-16). 

What lesson is God teaching me?

Vv. 7-12 A path taken together is joyful and a burden shared is light. By walking together, we can share our burdens and double our joy. Who helps you to stand again when you stumble or comforts you when you are struggling? Are you that someone for somebody else? 

Vv. 13-16 Wisdom is more beneficial than money or power. However, the things we can gain by that wisdom are ultimately money and power. It’s a constant cycle and none of it is eternal. Let’s enjoy eternal life and blessings by the Lord’s unchanging wisdom. 

Prayer

Lord, give me the wisdom to see the sufferings of my weak neighbours and to walk with them.