Ecclesiastes 4:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Every, etc

This is

Genesis 37:4

General references

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Ecclesiastes 6:11

Ecclesiastes 12:8

Bible References

Every, etc

And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,

These are the family records of Jacob.

At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.

Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?”

Fury is cruel, and anger a flood,
but who can withstand jealousy?

For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.

“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him

Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?

unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

This is

There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

When there is a man whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.

Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.

General references

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher.
“Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”

For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man?

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”