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"The sleep of a labouring man is sweet"

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:12

SLEEP

Sleeping is a natural part of life. But not everyone can speak of sleeping easily. Solomon discusses issues that may explain why some can sleep better than others.

“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet,
Whether he eats little or much;
But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.”
Ecclesiastes 5:12

1. “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much”

a) The labouring man

i) He may be the common labourer.

ii) He works very hard to make a living.

b) He may eat little or much.

i) Much depends on what he may be paid at the end of the day.

ii) If he has less to eat, he can still sleep. He hopes the next day would be a better one.

iii) If he has much to eat, he sleeps contentedly.

He has had a good day of work and he can provide for his family.

c) His sleep is “sweet”.

i) He sleeps because he is tired.

ii) He sleeps because he is not bogged down with worries.

iii) He has found contentment.

2. “But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep”

a) The rich man is offered as a contrast.

b) He has “abundance”.

i) He can afford to eat what he desires.

ii) He can provide for his family easily.

c) But his abundance robs him of sleep.

i) He may be worried about losing his wealth.

ii) He may be worried about being robbed.

iii) He may be worried that he is not as wealthy as others.

iv) He may be worried that misfortune may hit him.

The man who has abundance worries and thus he is unable to find sleep easily!