Ecclesiastes Series
Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and power was on the side of their oppressors, but they had no one to comfort them. So I congratulated the dead who are already dead, more than the living who are still living. But better off than both of them is the one who has never existed, who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 NASB
Looking at things from an earthly perspective, Solomon is dismayed. As the news media give us an earthly perspective of the world, we may have the same discouragement. Ukraine, Russia, China, the Middle East: these names speak to us of misery and death at the hands of oppressors. Also, in our major cities, there is death and destruction. Then there is the quasi-war at our southern border.
It seems so hopeless. Do the oppressors have all the power? Is there no comfort for the oppressed? From a worldly point of view, Solomon tells us that the oppressed are better off dead than suffering. Even better off is the one who never existed. In the midst of his suffering, Job said, “May the day perish on which I was born.” (Job 3:3)
That’s the earthly view of the oppressed. However, the eyes of faith see the reality. The power is not in the hands of the oppressor but in the hands of God. And, ”If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Truly, God is for us. He sacrificed His own Son for us. Jesus lived for us; He died for us; He rose again for us. This means that we have the victory over every oppressor and every kind of oppression. We have forgiveness, life, and salvation. Therefore, Job also said, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” (19:25)
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife;
Let these all be gone.
They yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
The Lutheran Hymnal 262:4