Ecclesiastes! · Ecclesiastes! ** [a] was and! ! !!!!!

What would it take to make you happy? Maybe a more important question—What can you do to make your life truly meaningful? Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, said his goal was to do things that would make a dent in the universe. Others have spent countless money, effort, and time to try to be remembered for generations. Imagine if there was someone who had all the money, power, and intelligence in the world that sought out the question—what makes people really happy? This man was Solomon and Ecclesiastes is the record of his search for meaning.

Authorship of Ecclesiastes Although Ecclesiastes does not name Solomon, it’s description of the author as “a son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1, 12) leaves little room for other conclusions. The association is strengthened by 12:9, which describes the author as a wise man who pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs” 1 Kings 4:32. Audience Ecclesiastes is an advanced and reflective wisdom text. Unlike Proverbs, it was not included in materials to educate young readers in the basic principles of wisdom. Rather, it was intended for those mature and experienced enough to deal with dark and difficult questions. The writer of Ecclesiastes was very well educated and his book is intended to be read by upper class, well-‐educated people. This is seen in various allusions to wisdom literature found in the surrounding areas. The Epic Of Gilgamesh (found in ancient Babylonian writings) is very similar to the writings of portions of Ecclesiastes. Other portions of the book allude to the Harper songs found in the tomb of Neferhotep, an Egyptian from the fourteenth century B.C. Very few ancient people would have access to such literature from far away cultures. Interestingly, there are no references to Greek literate sources, which lends credibility for an early date for this writing during Solomon’s reign and against a later date when Greek culture was ascendant in the Judean area. Type of Book Ecclesiastes is in the Wisdom Literature section of the Old Testament. These books include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Job. Typically these books written by sages and are designed to teach lessons of life. It can be said that Proverbs represents Solomon’s early life as he looks at the world with the vision and excitement of youth. Proverbs is a

Ecclesiastes Introduction

Lesson One

Lesson One: Introduction

1:1-‐1:3

Lesson Two: The Search For Meaning

1:1-‐1:18

Lesson Three: Three Wrong Choices For Joy

2:1-‐26

Lesson Four: Work/Life Balance

3:1-‐8

Lesson Five: Eternal Over Physical

3:9-‐22

Lesson Six: Importance of Social Interaction

4:1-‐16

Lesson Seven: The Importance of God

5:1-‐6:12

Lesson Eight: The Importance of Wisdom

7:1-‐29

Lesson Nine: Obeying The Law

8:1-‐17

Lesson Ten: The Importance of Recognizing

Morality 9:1-‐18

Lesson Eleven: The Irony of Life

10:1-‐20

Lesson Twelve: Don’t Waste Your Youth

11:1-‐12:8

Lesson Thirteen: A Life Well Lived

12:9-‐14

very positive book. Song of Solomon represents the middle age of the King when his mind was on love and relationships. If these are true, then Ecclesiastes would represent Solomon looking back on life as an older, more experienced person. It has a frank honesty that life often does not make sense and that in this lifetime, at least, good doesn’t always seem to win. While the teachings and call for godly faithfulness are the same in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the tone of Ecclesiastes is much darker. Themes 1. Wisdom and pleasure are worthless. Work, pleasure, status, wealth, and even wisdom in and of themselves have no lasting value (1:12-‐2:16), because death renders all earthly achievements futile. 2. God gives meaning to work. Ecclesiastes describes the pointlessness of human labor (2:17-‐3:8); comparing it negatively to God’s enduring work (3:9-‐6:7). The author concludes that people do well to enjoy their labor (3:22), trusting God has a purpose in it (3:1). 3. The injustice of oppression. The teacher displayed concern for the oppression of the weak by the powerful (4:1-‐3) and expressed dismay that, from his viewpoint, the wicked often thrive while the poor suffer (7:15-‐18). The perspective that little, if anything can be done about injustice is later refuted by an authoritative reminder that God himself brings justice to all (12:14). 4. Human wisdom verses God’s wisdom. Ecclesiastes demonstrates the futility of humans contending with God (6:10). His ways are mysterious—far beyond human comprehension (6:8-‐12:7). 5. God gives meaning to life. The ultimate conclusion of the book is that life is meaningless without God. Because humans cannot fathom God’s purposes or understand his ways, submission to him is the best course of action (12:1-‐4), especially in view of God’s final judgment of ‘every hidden thing” (12:4). Keys Key verses are 1:2-‐3 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?”

Key thought is that life apart from God is completely void of meaning and purpose and full of disappointment.

Key word is “vanity,” which is used 37 times and means “futility, uselessness, nothingness.”

Key concept is “under the sun.” It is used 28 times and means apart from God.

1:11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after. 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

2:3 I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

7:8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9:5 For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.

9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”

12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.

Do I really matter? Are people today anymore than just accidents of nature randomly placed on the third rock from the sun? What is life without meaning and without forgiveness? As the first chapter of Ecclesiastes opens, Solomon begins his quest to find the answer to life. As king of Israel and one who is blessed by God, he has special opportunity to search and find the answers that each generation is looking for in life. 1:1 THE WORDS OF THE PREACHER THE HEBREW WORD “QOHELETH” MEANS ONE WHO IS AN

EXPERT OR EXPERIENCED IN THE SUBJECT OF LIFE. GOD RAISED UP SOLOMON (1:12), A MAN WITH WISDOM, POWER, RICHES, REPUTATION, AND GOD’S FAVOR, IN A PARTICULAR SITUATION TO SHOW ALL GENERATIONS OUR TRUE PURPOSE

1:2 VANITY: HEBREW WORD (HEBEL) MEANS MIST OR VAPOR. THE

WORD OCCURS 5 TIMES IN 1:2 5 AND IN 29 OTHERS VERSES IN THE BOOK

MARK 8:36-‐38, JAMES 4:14 1:3 WHAT PROFIT HAS A MAN? QUESTION IS REPEATED IN (3:9,

5:15, 2:11, 6:11). THE GIST OF THE QUESTION IS THIS: “IF LIFE MAKES NO SENSE AND THE PLEASURES OF LIFE ARE SO FLEETING, WHY BOTHER LIVING LIFE?” AS SOLOMON NEARED THE END OF HIS LIFE, PESSIMISM HAD TAKEN HOLD—THE COMMON BELIEF IS THAT GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, BUT THIS BELIEF DOESN’T ALWAYS HOLD TO BE TRUE

1:4-‐11 ONE PASSES…ANOTHER COMES. THE EARTH

SEEMINGLY GOES ON AN ENDLESS CYCLE (THE SOLAR CYCLE, THE VAPOR CYCLE, THE WATER CYCLE). APPARENTLY IN THE SAME WAY THE GENERATIONS RISE AND FALL ONE AFTER ANOTHER. WHILE EACH GENERATION FEELS UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT, THEY EACH FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. WE ARE AS UNIQUE AS WE LIKE TO THINK WE ARE.

1:4 THE EARTH ABIDES FOREVER NOT LITERALLY, 2 PETER 3:10, BUT IT SEEMS TO LAST

LONGER THAN EACH OF US IN THIS LIFE. 1:4 MANY PEOPLE ARE RESTLESS TODAY. THEY ASK: WHY AM I SO TIRED? WILL I LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE IN MY LIFE? WHY AM I BURNED OUT, DISSILLUSIONED? WHAT IS TO BECOME OF ME?

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1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? 4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. 5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose. 6 The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. 7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. 8 All things are full of

Ecclesiastes The Search for Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1 LESSON TWO

1:8 CANNOT EXPRESS IT, EYE IS NOT SATISFIED, EAR IS

NOT FILLED. MANY THINGS IN LIFE CANNOT BE FULLY COMPREHENDED AND UNDERSTOOD.

ISAIAH 55:8-‐9, JEREMIAH 10:23 1:9-‐11 THERE IS NOTHING NEW…THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE. THE POINT BEING MADE IS VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE REMEMBERED FOR GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOW. WE ARE LIVING LIVES THAT ARE INSIGNIFICANT TO HISTORY.

1:13 SOLOMON’S TASK IS TO DISCOVER WHY GOD LEAVES US WITH HARD LIVES TO LIVE. THIS BURDENSOME (LITERALLY ‘BAD VENTURE’) TASK (4:8, 5:14) REFERS TO THE HARD LIVES SO MANY PEOPLE ENDURE THROUGH DISEASE, MISFORTUNE, AND POVERTY.

JOB 14:1, GENESIS 3:16, GENESIS 3:17-‐19 1:15 WHAT IS CROOKED CANNOT BE MADE STRAIGHT. JUSTICE CANNOT BE FOUND IN EVERY PART OF LIFE; THERE WILL ALWAYS BE INJUSTICE.

1:15 OFTENTIMES OUR MISTAKES IN LIFE CANNOT BE FIXED PERFECTLY. WE CAN BE FORGIVEN OF SIN BUT STILL MAY SUFFER CONSEQUENCES

1:17 SOLOMON STUDIED WISDOM (THE WAYS OF THE LORD) AND MADNESS AND FOLLY (THE WORLDLY WAYS). HE EXPLORED EVERY AVENUE AVAILABLE TO FIND THE TRUE PURPOSE OF LIFE. HE FOUND THAT LIFE WITHOUT GOD WAS LITTLE MORE THAN GRASPING AFTER WIND—ATTAINING NOTHING

1:18 IN MUCH WISDOM IS MUCH GRIEF. HAVING A GOOD BIT OF WISDOM IS OFTEN A BURDEN BECAUSE IT MAKES THE MADNESS OF LIFE MORE CLEAR AND MORE PERPLEXING.

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labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.

9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after. 12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

What would it take to make you happy? Some people think that if they only had more things, or more money, or more fame then all of their problems would go away. Others believe that perhaps seeking pleasure is the way to true happiness. And still others believe that life offers no true pleasure. These grim people forget the simple things such as family and memories that give comfort in difficult times. In this lesson, the teacher shows us the folly and nature of temporary pleasures. V. 1-‐3 THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE 2:1 THE WORD PLEASURE MEANS ‘HAVING A LIGHT HEARTED APPROACH TO LIFE.’ THE WRITER HERE IS REFERING TO THOSE WHO REFUSE TO TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY 2:3 CHEERED HIMSELF WITH WINE, YET HE WAS STILL SOBER ENOUGH TO USE HIS WSIDOM. SOLOMON REALIZED THERE WAS CERTAINLY NO JOY TO BE FOUND IN DRUNKENNESS. THE LANGUAGE PICTURES AN EXPERT RIDER OF A CHARIOT RACING WITH A VERY POWERFUL STEED LEADING THE WAY. THERE IS GREAT DANGER BUT ALSO GREAT ENERGY. V. 4-‐11 THE PURSUIT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT “I MADE” “I BUILT” “I PLANTED” “I ACQUIRED” THERE IS A SIMILARITY HERE TO THE LANGUAGE USED BY GOD IN THE CREATION OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN. THE KING CREATED GREAT THINGS 1 KINGS 3-‐11, PSALM 127:1 2:10 ALL THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ENDED IN VANITY, HIS ONLY PLEASURE WAS THE PLEASURE OF HIS WORK. 2:12-‐17 THE PURSUIT OF WISDOM 2:12 WISDOM IS MUCH GREATER THAN FOLLY BUT BOTH ULTIMATELY LEAD TO THE SAME CONDITION. REGARDLESS OF WHAT A PERSON DOES IN LIFE, DEATH WILL COME, PSALM 49:10.

Ecclesiastes Four Wrong Choices For Joy

Ecclesiastes 2 LESSON THREE

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I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; [a]therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I searched in my heart how [to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. 4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to [c]water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had [d]servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and [e]musical instruments of all kinds. 9 So I became great and [f]excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my [g]reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. 12 Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the

2:14-‐16 WISDOM IS LIMITED, IT PLEASES GOD BUT IT IS TEMPORAL. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT IT IS STILL MORTAL. WISDOM IS NOT THE KEY TO ETERNAL LIFE. 2:17 “HATED LIFE” THINGS BECOME SO FRUSTRATING WHEN WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE WRONG PRIORITIES. 2:18-‐26 THE VANITY OF LABOR 2:18-‐23 POSSESSIONS WILL BE LEFT TO A FOOL. IT IS SAID WEALTH LASTS FOR THREE GENERATIONS IN A FAMILY; AFTERWARDS IT WILL BE SQUANDERED. LUKE 12:20, 1 KINGS 12 HARD WORK IS NOT WRONG. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE FOR OURSELVES AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN OUR CARE. EPHESIANS 4:28, 1 TIMOTHY 5:8 2:21 FAR TOO OFTEN, THE FRUITS OF OUR HARD LABOR WILL GO TO BLESS SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT DESERVE IT. THAT IS WHY OUR POSSESSIONS MUST NOT BE THE CENTERPOINT OF OUR LIFE. 2:24 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOYS GOD GIVES YOU IN LIFE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ENJOY OUR LIVES AND TAKE THE TIME TO BE HAPPY. 2:24-‐25 THIS IS THE HEART OF THE BOOK: REPEATED IN 3:12-‐13, 5:18-‐20, 8:15, 9:7, 12:13. ONLY IN GOD DOES LIFE HAVE MEANING AND PLEASURE. TRUE FULFILLMENT COMES BY PLEASING GOD (12:13). 2:26 GOD USES THE WICKED TO ULTIMATELY GATHER GOODS FOR THE WISE.

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king?— Only what he has already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. 14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. 15 So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.” 16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool! 17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. 21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his [h]heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. 24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, [i]more than I? For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

What we all need is balance. Too much of anything is dangerous and tedious. Our lives are incredibly complex. The way to peace is discovering, accepting, and appreciating God’s perfect timing. The danger comes when we resent God’s timing. Time is mentioned 31 times in chapter three, which shows us that timing is everything in life. 3:1 GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY PREDETERMINES ALL OF LIFE’S

ACTIVITIES. THIS PASSAGE (14 OPPOSITES) SHOWS WE ARE SUBJECT TO TIMES AND CHANGES OVER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL.

GOD RULES TIME (GENESIS 1:14) AND CALLED IT GOOD. 3:2 BORN/DIE WHILE WE CAN HASTEN OUR DEATHS, GOD

RULES THE TIMING FOR EACH OF THESE (JOB 14:15, PSALM 31:5).

3:2 PLANT/PLUCK A SUCCESSFUL FARMER KNOWS THAT

NATURE WORKS WITH HIM BEST WHEN HE WORKS WITH NATURE.

3:4 WEEP/LAUGH ARE PRIVATE ACTIVITIES,

MOURN/DANCE ARE PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS OF THE SAME EMOTIONS. ROMANS 12:15

3:5 STONES ARE COMMON IN ISRAEL. THEY MUST BE

CLEARED FOR FARMING (ISAIAH 5:2), AND WERE USED TO PROHIBIT FARMING AS WELL (2 KINGS 3:19, 25).

3:6 GAIN/LOSE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE MUST GIVE

UP LOOKING FOR THINGS. WHOEVER DESIRES TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR THE GOSPEL’S SAKE WILL SAVE IT, MARK 8:35.

3:7 RIPPING/SEWING. TEARING OF GARMENTS REFERS TO

MOURNING (GENESIS 37:29). SEWING REFERS TO THE TIME WHEN THE PERIOD OF MOURNING HAS ENDED.

3:7 SILENCE/SPEAK. PERHAPS THE HARDEST ONE TO

PRACTICE. PROVERBS 26:4-‐5 3:8 TIME TO HATE. LOVE FOR NEIGHBOR IS THE NORM

FOR BIBLICAL ETHICS (LEVITICUS 19:18, GALATIANS 5:14, JAMES 2:8), THERE IS ALSO A RIGHTEOUS ANGER

UNDER THE APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES (PSALM 15:4, 139:21-‐22)

Ecclesiastes Our Timeless God

Ecclesiastes 3:1-‐8 LESSON FOUR

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time [a]to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

3 A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of peace.

Our ability to find satisfaction in our work depends to a large extent on our attitude. We will become dissatisfied if we lose the sense of purpose God intended for our work. We can enjoy our work when we remember God has given us work to do (3:10), and realize the fruit of our labor is a gift from him. A SUMMARY OF THIS CHAPTER: GOD’S BEAUTIFUL, BUT TANTALIZING WORLD IS TOO BIG FOR US, YET ITS SATISFACTIONS ARE TOO SMALL. THIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE MADE FOR ETERNITY BUT HERE FOR NOW. BECAUSE OF THIS, OUR DAILY LIFE CANNOT FULLY SATISFY US. 3:11 “PUT ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS” WE WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED WITH EARTHLY PLEASURES AND PURSUITS. BEING MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE, WE HAVE (1) SPIRITUAL THIRST AND (2) ETERNAL VALUE SO THAT NOTHING TEMPORAL CAN FULLY SATISFY US. GOD HAS MADE WITHIN US A RESTLESS YEARNING FOR THE PERFECT WORLD THAT CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN HIS CREATION. BUT FOR NOW WE ONLY GET A GLIMPSE OF GOD IN THIS WORLD, SO BY FAITH WE TRUST HIM AND CONTINUE HIS WORK ON EARTH. 3:12 WHILE WE CAN NOT CONTROL CIRCUMSTANCES WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. IT IS WORTHWHILE TO FIND WAYS TO ENJOY THE LIFE GOD HAS GIVEN US. 3:12-‐13 A HINT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ENTIRE BOOK: GOD’S PEOPLE FIND MEANING IN LIFE WHEN THEY CHEERFULLY ACCEPT IT FROM THE HAND OF GOD. 3:14 WE MUST REVERE GOD’S POWER AND KNOWLEDGE. HE IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL. GOD IS ETERNAL AND HAS ALL TIME IN HIS HAND. 3:16 AT THIS POINT, THE CHAPTER CHANGES…GOD WHO IS IN CHARGE OF TIME STILL ALLOWS PROBLEMS IN THIS WORLD. “IN THE PLACE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, INIQUITY WAS THERE” TOO OFTEN, IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THERE IS WICKEDNESS AND OPPRESSION (4:1). GOD DOES NOT IGNORE INJUSTICE, BUT WILL BRINNG IT TO LIGHT AT THE APPOINTED TIME (12:13-‐14).

Ecclesiastes Eternal Over The Physical

Ecclesiastes 3:9-‐22 LESSON FIVE

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9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14 I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. 15 That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past. 16 Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment,

3:17 GOD’S TRUE JUDGMENTS ARE THE ANSWER TO HUMAN CYNICISM ABOUT MAN’S INJUSTICES. “WHAT HAS PASSED BY” (V. 15) IS NOT MEANINGLESS (AS SOME PEOPLE DISMISS IT AS BEING, 1:11), AND GOD WILL OVERRIDE THE PERVERSE JUDGEMENTS (V. 16) OF MEN (12:14). LUKE 10:2-‐3 3:18 “LIKE ANIMALS” MAN (UNDER THE SUN, OR ON HIS OWN) IS AS MORTAL AS ANY ANIMAL; BUT UNLIKE THEM, HE MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THIS CONDITION AND, THROUGH HIS DIM AWARENESS OF ETERNITY (V. 11) BE DISTRESSED. 3:20 “TO ONE PLACE” NOT HEAVEN OR HELL BUT MAN’S OBSERVABLE DESTINATION, WITH IS A RETURN TO DUST, JUST LIKE THE ANIMALS. DEATH IS THE GREAT LEVELER OF ALL LIVING THINGS (GENESIS 3:19, PSALM 103:14). MAN AND ANIMAL ARE DIFFERENT IN THAT MAN HAS A SOUL, JAMES 2:26, ECCLESIASTES 12:7. 3:21 “WHO KNOWS” NOTICE 2:19 AND 12:7. MAN ON HIS OWN CANNOT KNOW, HE CAN ONLY GUESS. THE ANSWER REVEALED IN GLIMPSES (PSALM 16:9-‐11, 49:15, 73:23-‐26, ISAIAH 26:19. NOTE: SOLOMON (STARTING IN 3:16) REFLECTS ON SEVERAL PROBLEMS WE SEE IN GOD’S CONTROL OF THE WORLD. 1. THERE IS WICKEDNESS WHERE THERE SHOULD BE JUSTICE (3:16-‐17) 2. PEOPLE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE DIE JUST LIKE ANIMALS (3:18-‐21). 3. NO ONE COMFORTS THE OPPRESSED (4:1-‐3) 4. ENVY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOTIVATORS (4:4-‐6). 5. PEOPLE ARE SO LONELY (4:7-‐12). 6. RECOGNITION FOR OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS SOON FORGOTTEN (4:13-‐16). IT IS EASY TO USE THESE APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS AS EXCUSES TO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT SOLOMON USES THEM TO SHOW US WE CAN STILL KEEP OUR FAITH IN LIGHT OF THESE ISSUES. HE POINTS OUT WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN AND THAT IN THE END THESE CONTRADICTIONS WILL BE CLEARED UP BY THE CREATOR (12:14). THE POINT OF THE CHAPTER? GOD DOESN’T ALWAYS MAKE SENSE, BUT THAT’S OKAY BECAUSE

WE LIVE BY GOD’S PROMISES, NOT HIS EXPLAINATIONS, PHILIPPIANS 4:11

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Wickedness was there; And in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. 17 I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” 18 I said in my heart, “Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.” 19 For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. 21Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? 22 So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

What we all need is balance. Too much of anything is dangerous and tedious. Our lives are incredibly complex. Oppression, over-‐work, and loneliness are signs in our society that we are out of balance. As the teacher observes these things, he reminds the readers that the pursuit of the wrong things lead to meaninglessness. It is only through following God’s method of balance that we can find true meaning in our lives. 4:1 WHEN CONSIDERING OPPRESSION, IT IS SO PAINFUL TO SEE THE SUFFERING AND ABUSE IN THIS WORLD. TO FIND LIFE MEANINGLESS IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT TO TASTE IT’S CRUELTY IS BITTER BEYOND WORDS. 4:2-‐3 CONSIDERING THE PLIGHT OF MANY PEOPLE, PERHAPS IT IS BETTER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THAN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED—FOR SOME IT MAY SEEM BETTER TO NEVER HAVE LIVED AT ALL (JEREMIAH 20:14-‐18, JOB 3:1-‐3). 4:4 THERE ARE TIMES MAN’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS ARE BROUGHT ABOUT BY SOME OF THE WORST MOTIVES—WAR AND ENVY. OUR DESIRE IN WORK AND ACHEIVEMENT SHOULD BE THE GLORY OF GOD (COLOSSIANS 3:24). 4:5-‐6 NEITHER HARD WORK NOR IDLENESS BRINGS HAPPINESS, MEANING, OR FULFILLMENT. THE AUTHOR USES AN ANAOLGY OF HANDS TO DESCRIBE WORK ETHIC. V. 5 ONE MAN FOLDS HIS HANDS (REFUSES TO WORK) AND ENDS UP ONLY DESTROYING HIMSELF. V. 6 ONE MAN PUTS ALL OF IS MIGHT INTO HIS WORK (TOILS WITH TWO HANDS) AND FINDS HIS LIFE TO BE WASTED. V. 6 THE WISE MAN IS BALANCED (ONE HAND IS FULL WITH QUIETNESS AND THE OTHER IS BUSY) THIS WAY IS MUCH BETTER. CONTENTMENT IS A GREAT BLESSING (1 TIMOTHY 6:6-‐11, PHILIPPIANS 4:11-‐ 13).

Ecclesiastes Work/Life Balance

Ecclesiastes 4:1-‐16 LESSON SIX

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Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter—On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter. 2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, more than the living who are still alive. 3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. 6 Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun: 8 There is one alone, without [b]companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye

4:7-‐8 SAD IS THE MAN WHO IS ALONE (NO FOCUS ON FRIENDS OR FAMILY) BECAUSE HIS ONLY FOCUS IS WORK. THIS IS AN UNHAPPY BUSINESS. 4:9-‐11 MAN IS A SOCIAL CREATURE—TWO OR MORE WORK WELL TOGETHER. THE WISE PERSON WILL PURSUE COOPERATIVE VENTURES RATHER THAN GIVE IN TO JEALOUS STRIVING. WE CAN SEE THE BLESSING OF SOCIAL INTERACTION IN THE HOME (GENESIS 2:18) IN THE CHURCH (HEBREWS 10:24-‐25) IN GOVERNMENT (ROMANS 13:1-‐3) 4:13-‐16 YOUTH AND WISDOM OVERCOMES AGE AND COMPLACENCY. YET THOSE WHO ARE FRESH AND YOUNG TODAY WILL NOT BE SO TOMORROW. WHEN OUR FOCUS IS ONLY ON OURSELVES IT QUICKLY BECOMES VANITY.

THE TEACHER’S OBSERVED CYCLE OF KINGS: (4:13-‐16)

A YOUNG PERSON RISES

FROM HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES 1. THEN A YOUNG PERSON RISES HIS NEW IDEAS AND ZEAL FROM HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES 5. 2. GAIN HIM MANY FOLLOWERS TO START THE CYCLE AGAIN 4. 3. HE THEN GROWS OLD IN HIS WAYS HE AMAZINGLY SUPLANTS AND WILL NOT LISTEN TO ADVICE THE OLD, LETHARGIC KING

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satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a [c]grave misfortune. 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. 14 For he comes out of prison to be king, Although [d]he was born poor in his kingdom. 15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun; they were with the second youth who stands in his place. 16 There was no end of all the people [e]over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Life is filled with vanity. People think like and act like they are in control of their lives but so much of our existence is due to circumstance. Solomon points to those who worship according to their own desires rather than God’s way, to those who complain because life isn’t fair, to those who are wealthy and yet miserable, and to those who are searching for more. In response to the emptiness that each of these people face, the teacher encourages us to enjoy our lives and our possessions that we have today. 5:1-‐7 VANITY IN OUR SUPERFICIAL WORSHIP. MANY

PEOPLE SPEAK GREAT WORDS IN WORSHIP TO GOD BUT SOME DO NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR VOWS.

5:1-‐7 RELIGION CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, JAMES

3:1. GOD IS HOLY AND THOSE WHO APPROACH HIM MUST DO SO WITH GREAT REVERENCE, LEVITICUS 10:1-‐2

5:1-‐3 BE CAREFUL IN YOUR PLEDGES TO GOD TO

NOT OVERPROMISE, JAMES 1:19. 5:1 THE WORD “HEAR” OR “HEED” IN 5:1 IS THE SAME AS THE ONE IN 1 SAMUEL 15:22 WHEN KING SAUL IS REBUKED BY THE PROPHET SAMUEL. THIS REFERS TO AN OUTWARD RELIGIOUS ACT WHILE INWARDLY BEING SELFISH AND DISOBEDIENT.

5:8-‐9 THE VANITY OF FAIRNESS. THERE IS A CIRCLE

TO MAN’S SOCIETY. EACH OF US HAS SOMEONE WHO RULES OVER US AND EVEN THE KING DEPENDS OF THE ONE WHO IS IN THE FIELD.

5:10-‐12 THE VANITY OF WEALTH. THE MORE YOU

HAVE, THE MORE YOU WILL SPEND. GREATER WEALTH DOES NOT BRING GREATER SATISFACTION; IT OFTEN LEADS TO GREATER ANXIETY.

Ecclesiastes The Importance of God Ecclesiastes 5:1-‐6:12

LESSON SEVEN

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Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. 8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them. 9 Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field. 10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

5:15 LATER QUOTED IN 1 TIMOTHY 6, WE MUST

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IN DEATH WE ARE ALL THE SAME: WE CAME INTO LIFE NAKED AND WE TAKE NOTHING WITH US WHEN WE LEAVE.

6:1-‐6 NOTHING IS MORE SAD THAN A MISERABLE,

WEALTHY MAN. IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES, LONG LIFE AND MANY CHILDREN WERE CONSIDERED TO BE SIGNS OF GOD’S FAVOR (GENESIS 15:5, PSALM 127) BUT A DISCONTENTED HEART WILL STILL FIND A WAY TO BE MISERABLE IN SPITE OF BLESSINGS.

6:6 ALL GO TO ONE PLACE-‐DEATH COMES TO

EVERY PERSON, HEBREWS 9:27 6:7-‐9 THE VANITY OF ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR

MORE INSTEAD OF FINDING HAPPINESS IN WHAT YOU HAVE.

SOME DANGERS OF LIFE: V. 7 SHORT LIVED SATISFACTION V. 8 FINDING PURPOSE CAN BE ELUSIVE V. 9 THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING BETTER V. 10-‐11 OUR CREATIVITY IS LIMITED V. 12 LIFE IS FUTILE V. 10-‐12 NAMED. BEING NAMED IS A BIBLICAL

WAY OF SHOWING AUTHORITY. THE POINT IS THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS—NOT MAN.

V. 12 SHADOW—DAVID’S PRAYER FOUND IN 1 CHRONICLES 29:15 SPEAKS OF LIFE PASSING

AS A SHADOW. SOLOMON IS STATING A PROFOUND TRUTH THAT

WE CANNOT PREDICT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS—ONLY GOD KNOWS. THEREFORE EACH DAY NEEDS TO BE TREASURED FOR ITS OWN VALUE. IN OUR PLANS WE SHOULD LOOK UP TO GOD, NOT JUST AHEAD TO OUR FUTURE, JAMES 4:13-‐15.

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15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a severe evil— Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? 17 All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart. 1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction. 3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— 4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place? 7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied. 8 For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. 10 Whatever one is, he has been named already, For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. 11 Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?

A mark of “the writings” portion of the Old Testament is a section in the middle of the book on the subject of wisdom (Job 28, Ecclesiastes 7). In this section the preacher spends time exploring why good and evil things happen to people and explores why people act the way that they do (sometimes it is an outward effect such as money, sometimes it is an inward effect such as a pride to always win every argument, and sometimes it is impossible to know). 7:1-‐4 TOUGH TIMES CREATE TOUGHER PEOPLE

7:1 PRECIOUS OINTMENT: A COSTLY LUXURY IN ISRAEL, ESTHER 2:12, MATTHEW 26:7

DAY OF DEATH: REFERS TO SOMEONE ELSE’S DEATH. BEREAVEMENT, WHILE PAINFUL, IS A MORE EFFECTIVE PROD TO GROWTH IN SPIRITUAL WISDOM THAN THE ELATION FELT OVER A NEWBORN CHILD.

A SERIOUS APPROACH TO LIFE IS BETTER THAN A FRIVILOUS MOOD.

ADVERSITY TEACHES US: 1. THE BREVITY OF LIFE 2. TO USE OUR TIME WISELY 3. TO REFINE OUR CHARACTER

7:2 DEATH COMES TO ALL PEOPLE AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PREPARE, 1 COR. 15:54-‐57

WHY THINK ABOUT DEATH? 1. WE HAVE TIME TO CHANGE 2. THERE’S TIME TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD

7:3 A SERIOUS FACE IMPLIES A THOUGHTFUL PERSON “STILL WATERS RUN DEEP”

7:5-‐10 MODERATION IS BETTER THAN EXCESS

7:6 THORNS ARE SMALL PIECES OF WOOD BURNED UNDER A POT, THEY MAKE MUCH NOISE BUT DON’T OFFER LASTING HEAT.

7:7 OPPRESSION/BRIBES MONEY TALKS AND DISTORTS RATIONAL THINKING

7:8 IT TAKES DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE TO FINISH A PROJECT WELL—THIS IS AN INDICATION OF OUR CHARACTER

Ecclesiastes The Importance of Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7 LESSON EIGHT

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A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3

[a]Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made [b]better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to [c]hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the [d]crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe [e]debases the heart. 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the [g]excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the

7:10 IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT THE PAST BEHIND US AND TO THINK ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

7:11-‐22 VANITY IN MISPLACED CONFIDENCE: IN WEALTH, IN BEING RIGHT, IN POPULARITY

7:11-‐12 A FOOL SQUANDERS HIS BIRTHRIGHT (LUKE 15:11-‐32) BUT THE WISE MAN USES THE OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN TO HIM.

7:12 WISDOM IS LIKE MONEY IN THAT IT OFFERS PROTECTIONS AGAINST MISFORTUNES IN LIFE. AND WISDOM AIDS US IN RECEIVING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD IN FINDING LONG LIFE.

7:13 GOD’S WAYS ARE UNCHANGED BY MAN, ISAIAH 55:8-‐9

7:14 GOD BRINGS GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES TO US TO BALANCE OUR CHARACTER, PHILIPPIANS 4:11

7:15 RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A LEGAL TERM—IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE RIGHT IN AN ARGUMENT BUT STILL LOSE YOUR CASE IN COURT. ALSO SOMETIMES ONE WHO IS WRONG CAN STILL WIN A DISPUTE, ECCLESIASTES 8:14.

7:16 OVERLY RIGHTEOUS – A LEGAL TERM – THOSE WHO INISIT ON ALWAYS WINNING A ARGUMENT RARELY HAVE CLOSE FRIENDS

7:17-‐18 BY THE SAME TOKEN AS 7:16, A WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER WRONG, IF NOT TEMPERED WITH THE WISDOM TO KNOW WHEN TO INSIST ON THE JUSTICE OF ONE’S CASE, CAN ALSO LEAD TO SELF DESTRUCTION. ONE MUST STRIKE THE PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO PRINCIPLES.

7:23-‐29 IT IS DIFFICULT TO TRULY UNDERSTAND OTHER PEOPLE

7:25-‐29 THE PREACHER DECIDED TO STUDY PEOPLE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THEM. HE SOON ADMITTED HIS INABILITY TO ‘FIGURE OUT’ THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HE ENCOUNTERED. AMONG MEN, HE ONLY UNDERSTOOD ONE OF A THOUSAND AND AMONG WOMEN NONE AT ALL! THE ONE CONCLUSION HE WAS ABLE TO REACH IS THAT GOD MADE ALL PEOPLE UPRIGHT BUT THEY SOUGHT MANY SCHEMES (GENESIS 3).

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day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one [h]as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. 15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will [i]escape them all. 19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city. 20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. 21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others. 23 All this I have [j]proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; But it was far from me. 24 As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find it out? 25 I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, To know the wickedness of folly, Even of foolishness and madness. 26 And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. 27 “Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher, “Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason, 28 Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, But a woman among all these I have not found. 29 Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes.”

Every year as election season rolls around, we wonder how so many people voted for the worng person! In Solomon’s time, it was not unusual for corrupt kings to arise in the countries of the world. As we look closely around us today, we may wonder why God does things the way he does. Why are some people put in charge? What should our response be to those in power? Is there a danger in being consumed by politics? Will God ever make things right? 8:1-‐4 DEALING WITH FOOLISH AUTHORITIES 8:1 WISDOM IS THE ABILITY TO SEE LIFE FROM

GOD’S PERSECTIVE AND THEN TO KNOW WHAT COURSE TO TAKE.

8:1 WISDOM IS A VERY RARE THING AMOUNG

PEOPLE—ESPECIALLY IN GOVERNMENT. KINGS ARE SINNERS (JUST LIKE ALL PEOPLE) ECCLESIASTES 7:20, 29, ROMANS 3:23 IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, KINGS HAD ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY. 8:2 KEEP THE KING’S COMMANDMENT THIS IS TRUE IN PRINCIPLE (V. 2) ROMANS 13:1-‐5, 1 PETER 2:13-‐17 AND IN PRUDENCE (V. 3-‐6) 8:3 BE CAREFUL OF YOUR REACTIONS TO THOSE

IN POWER. COMPLETELY WALKING AWAY FROM THEM IS DANGEROUS. YET WE MUST NOT REMAIN SO CLOSE THAT WE HAVE TO SHARE IN THEIR EVIL DEEDS.

8:4 IN THE FACE OF ABSOLUTE POWER (V. 4) OR

IMPOSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES (V. 7-‐8) ONE DOES WELL TO COMPROMISE WHEN MORAL ISSUES ARE NOT INVOLVED.

8:4-‐6 THE KINGS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD HAD

ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY. IT TOOK GREAT COURAGE FOR SOMEONE TO QUESTION THE KING’S JUDGMENT AND ASK, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” THE WISE COUNSELOR, HOWEVER, WILL FIND THE RIGHT TIME AND WAY TO DO SO.

Ecclesiastes Obeying the Law

Ecclesiastes 8:1-‐17 LESSON NINE

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Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the [a]sternness of his face is changed. 2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart [b]discerns both time and judgment, 6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man [c]increases greatly. 7 For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur? 8 No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. 10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone

V. 7-‐9 EVEN THOSE IN POWER HAVE TO DEAL WITH

CIRCUMSTANCES (THE WIND), MORTALITY (DEATH), OTHER PEOPLE (WAR), AND GOD’S JUDGMENT (WICKEDNESS). THIS SHOULD HUMBLE ALL PEOPLE.

V. 9 ONE RULES TO HIS OWN HURT. ABSOLUTE

POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. DON’T ALLOW YOUR POSITION IN LIFE OR YOUR OCCUPATION TO CHANGE HOW YOU TREAT OTHER PEOPLE.

V. 10-‐13 THE IMPORTANCE OF FEARING GOD V. 10 SOMETIMES EVIL PEOPLE RECEIVE

HONORABLE BURIALS. PEOPLE TEND TO TREAT EVERY FUNERAL AS ONE OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON, LUKE 16:22

V. 11 THE LONGER JUDGMENT TAKES, THE MORE

PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

V. 11-‐12 JUST BECAUSE WE DON’T SEE IMMEDIATE

JUDGMENT FROM GOD, DON’T SUPPOSE GOD DOESN’T CARE OR THAT GOD IS WEAK. JUDGMENT WILL COME TO ALL PEOPLE.

8:14-‐17 WE WILL NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTAND LIFE V. 14 IT MAKES NO SENSE WHEN EVIL PEOPLE SEEM

BLESSED AND RIGHTOEUS PEOPLE ARE PERSECUTED. THERE IS NO SATISFYING EXPLAINATION FOR HOW LIFE GOES THE WAY IT DOES.

JOB 21-‐24, PSALM 73, JOHN 5:28-‐29 V. 15-‐17 THERE IS GREAT DANGER IN TRYING TO

DISCOVER WHY GOD DOES WHAT HE DOES. IT IS WISE TO ENJOY LIFE AND GOD’S BLESSINGS WHEN WE CAN AND TO ALWAYS KEEP FAITH IN OUR GOOD, LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER, DEUTERONOMY 29:29

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from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten[d] in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. 14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

It has been said that if you want to make God laugh just tell him about the life you have planned. For us life can appear to be very random. Death comes at unexpected times, we seem unfocused on the really important things, and un-‐forecasted events change everything we have expected. Our perspective is limited while our all-‐knowing God sees and plans everything. That’s why we have to trust our maker for guidance and help. 9:1-‐6 DEATH HAS NO FAVORITES V. 1 THE RIGHTEOUS PERSON IS IN THE HAND OF GOD. WHILE LIFE MAY NOT MAKE SENSE TO US, WE KNOW GOD IS IN CONTROL. PROVERBS 19:21, ROMANS 8:28 9:2 DEATH COMES TO ALL PEOPLE—REGARDLESS OF OUR MORALITY OR ACTIONS. WHETHER RICH OR POOR, GOOD OR EVIL, ALL OF US ARE EQUAL IN OUR MORTALITY. HEBREWS 9:27 V. 4 THE POWER OF POTENTIAL: A LIVE DOG IS GREATER THAN A DEAD LION. ALL PEOPLE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN THEY DO IN DIFFERENCES V. 5-‐6 THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE TIME OF THE GOSPEL THAT PEOPLE KNEW “LIFE AND IMMORTALITY WILL BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT” 2 TIMOTHY 1:10. SOLOMON MEANS BY THIS STATEMENT AFTER A PERSON DIES, THEY CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR LIFE. LUKE 16:19-‐31 9:7-‐10 FIND JOY IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES V. 7-‐9 THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH IS VERY SIMILAR TO THESE WORDS. THIS SHOWS SOLOMON’S VAST EDUCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE DURING THIS TIME.

Ecclesiastes Seeking Morality

Ecclesiastes 9:1-‐18 LESSON TEN

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For I [a]considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the [b]good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun. 7 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For

V. 7-‐8 ENJOY YOUR BLESSINGS. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ENJOYING GOD’S BLESSINGS AND THE LIFE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN. V. 9 ENJOY YOUR FAMILY. THEY ARE GOD’S GIFT TO YOU, PROVERBS 18:22. V. 10 ENJOY YOUR WORK. YOUR HOBBIES AND OCCUPATION ARE A HEAVENLY GIFT. 9:11-‐18 LIFE CAN APPEAR TO BE RANDOM V. 11-‐12 LIFE AND DEATH IS RANDOM. TIME AND CHANCE OVERTAKES US ALL. WHILE GOD IS SOVEREIGN, IT SEEMS TO US THAT LIFE TAKES UNEXPLAINABLE AND RANDOM TURNS. THE SWIFT WIN MORE RACES THANT HE SLOW BUT THEY DON’T WIN EVERY RACE. LIFE IS UNFAIR.

~THE BOOK OF PROVERBS EXPLAINS HOW LIFE SHOULD GO.

THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES SHOWS US HOW LIFE OFTENTIMES GOES IN OUR SINFUL AND IMPERFECT WORLD.~

V. 13-‐17 WISDOM IS GREATER THAN RICHES OR POWER. BUT WISDOM IS NOT ALWAYS REWARDED. OUR SOCIETY HONORS WEALTH, ATTRACTIVENESS, AND SUCCESS ABOVE WISDOM. BUT WISDOM IS A GREATER ASSET. V. 15 YET NO ONE REMEMBERED—EVEN WISDOM DOESN’T LEAD TO PERFECT SATISFACTION. OUR PURPOSE IS ONLY FOUND IN FOLLOWING GOD. MATTHEW 6:33, V. 18 ONE PERSON HAS GREAT INFLUENCE IN THIS WORLD—FOR GOOD OR EVIL.

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God has already accepted your works. 8 Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. 9

[c ]Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. 11 I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: 14 There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great [d]snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. 16 Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard. 17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”

As the preacher has examined life from many directions, he begins to close his book by giving a series of proverbs to remind us of the importance of labor and language. While life may not make sense to us yet, we are to be active in our faith and to watch out what we say. This passage is working as a crescendo leading up to the conclusion: people of this day would often listen closely to proverbs and this section of the book causes us to see exactly what the writer will eventually say concerning the purpose of mankind on this earth. V. 1 A LITTLE FOLLY. EVEN SMALL PORTIONS OF POISON ARE DANGEROUS, JAMES 3:5. EVEN ONE MORAL FAILURE CAN UNDO A LIFETIME OF WISDOM AND HONOR. SOLOMON MAY HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HIS FATHER DAVID IN THIS INSTANCE. V. 2 RIGHT/LEFT WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS INVARIABLY REVEAL THEMSELVES THROUGH THE PERSON’S BEHAVIOR PROVERBS 10:3. V. 4 WHEN SOMEONE BECOMES ANGRY WITH YOU, ALLOW A PERIOD OF TIME FOR THEM TO “COOL OFF” JAMES 1:19 DO NOT LEAVE YOUR POST. DON’T ABANDON YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN THINGS BECOME DIFFICULT. V. 5-‐7 LIFE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO THE WAY WE EXPECT IT TO GO. GENERALLY PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WEALTH WITH GODLY LIVING, PROVERBS 10:4, BUT… BUT THE POOR CAN POSSESS WISDOM, 4:13-‐14, 9:15-‐16 AND THE WEALTHY CAN BE CORRUPT, 5:8-‐12, 10:16-‐17 V. 8-‐9 WHEN WE DESTROY OTHERS, WE ENDANGER OURSELVES V. 10 WHEN FACED WITH A SITUATION 1. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM 2. AQUIRE THE SKILLS AND TOOLS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM 3. AND THEN GET TO WORK

Ecclesiastes Be careful what you say and what you do

Ecclesiastes 10:1-‐20 LESSON ELEVEN

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Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more

V. 11 THOSE WHO GOSSIP ABOUT OTHERS WILL ALSO GOSSIP ABOUT YOU. IF YOU MUST “EARN” (CHARM) SOMEONE’S LOVE OR APPROVAL, YOU WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO “EARN” IT THIS APPLIES TO: PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS CHURCH WORSHIP FORMATS BUSINESS DEALINGS V. 12-‐13 WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR SPEECH, JAMES 3:2-‐12 ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID, “BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT OF AS A FOOL THAN TO SPEAK UP AND CONFIRM THE FACT.” V. 12 ARE GRACIOUS/SWALLOWS HIM UP. THE WISE MAN IS VERY CAREFUL WITH PRAISE AND COMPLAINT KNOWING THE POWER OF LANGUAGE. THE FOOL SAYS THINGS THAT WILL COME BACK AND BITE HIM. THE MARK OF A FOOL IS THAT HE WILL ALWAYS BE TALKING. V. 14 THE FOOL THINKS HE KNOWS THE FUTURE. THE WISE MAN PREPARES FOR TOMORROW BUT REALIZES THAT THINGS CAN CHANGE, PROVERBS 27:1, V. 15 WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER, EPHESIANS 4:28 V. 16-‐17 WHEN ISRAEL HAD A SELFISH KING, THE LAND SUFFERED. 1 & 2 KINGS DESCRIBES THE DECLINE OF ISRAEL WHEN KINGS WERE LAZY AND SELFISH. V. 18 WORK IS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS. V. 19 THESE THINGS APPEAR TO BE GOOD, BUT THEY DO NOT BRING TRUE HAPPINESS. LASTING SATISFACTION CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN THE LORD. BALANCE IS NEEDED IN FINANCES. MONEY SHOULD BE ENJOYED, BUT IT IS ALSO A ROOT OF MANY EVILS, 1 TIMOTHY 6:10. V. 20 NEVER SAY SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEONE UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO HEAR IT—BECAUSE THEY WILL HEAR IT EVENTUALLY.

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strength; But wisdom brings success. 11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time—For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.

When we are young, we are convinced we will live forever. Every young generation is convinced that it knows much more than the older generation and that it will set the standard for every generation that follows. As our writer nears the end of his book, he paints a very descriptive picture of what our later life will look like. This picture is a stark reminder ot each of us that the best time to live right and follow God is right now. V. 1 CAST BREAD UPON THE WATERS. WHEN WE GIVE TO THE POOR, WE WILL BE REPAID PROVIDENTIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. INCREASE IS FOUND BY INVESTING AND GIVING. MT. 25:14-‐30 V. 2 THERE IS A NEED FOR DIVERSIFICATION IN LIFE, WE MUST FOCUS ON MANY THINGS RATHER THAN FEW THINGS. V. 3-‐4 LIFE WILL HAPPEN, IT IS BEST NOT TO OVERTHINK IT AND FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE ISSUES. TOO MUCH TIME SPENT TRYING TO “READ THE SKIES” WILL ONLY DISTRACT FROM THE TASK AT HAND. WAITING FOR THINGS TO BE PERFECT WILL KEEP US FROM EVER PURSUING OUR GOALS. V. 5 NEVER ASSUME THAT YOU KNOW EVERYTHING. GOD WORKS IN HIS TIME AND IN HIS WAY V. 6 DON’T FOCUS ON ONLY ONE THING. A LIFE OF VARIETY WILL BE TRULY FRUITFUL. SOMETIMES IT IS AS IMPORTANT TO BE BUSY AS IT IS TO BE WISE. V. 7-‐8 LIGHT…DARKNESS. REFERS TO THE CONTRAST OF LIFE AND DEATH. V. 9-‐10 ENJOY LIFE WITHIN FAITHFULNESS TO GOD, FOR EACH OF US ONLY HAS SO MUCH TIME ON THE EARTH. WHATEVER WOES AND ANXIETY ONE HAS, ONE SHOULD NOT DWELL ON IT EXCESSIVELY.

Ecclesiastes Don’t Waste Your Youth Ecclesiastes 11:1-‐12:8 LESSON TWELVE

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Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. 2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know what is the way of the [a]wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good. 7 Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; 8 But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in

V. 12:1 EVIL DAYS IN THIS CONTEXT DOES NOT REFER TO WICKEDNESS, BUT RATHER TO THE UNPLEASANTNESS OF PHYSICAL DETERIATION IN OLD AGE.

V. 2-‐7 A DESCRIPTION OF OLD AGE. V. 2 A GATHERING STORM V. 2-‐4 AN OLD HOUSE V. 5 AN OLD MAN

V. 1 “I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM” IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND THE SWEETNESS IN LIFE

V. 2 DARKENED AND CLOUDS RETURN. EARLIER IN LIFE IT IS EASIER TO DO THINGS. DARKNESS COMES AS WE LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE FEWER FRIENDS AND FEWER OPPORTUNITIES.

V. 3-‐7 DESCRIPTION OF AN OLDER PERSON KEEPERS OF THE HOUSE TREMBLE: HANDS AND LEGS BEGING TO SHAKE.

STRONG MEN BOW DOWN: POSTURE BENDS, WE SHRINK IN HEIGHT

GRINDERS BROKEN: LOSE TEETH, MORE DIFFICULT TO EAT.

LOOK THROUGH WINDOWS DIM: EYE SIGHT FAILS

DOORS ON STREET SHUT: HEARING FAILS, TEND TO REPEAT SAME STORIES

GRINDING LOW: NOT EATING AS MUCH

RISES AT SOUND OF BIRD: DON’T SLEEP WELL

DAUGHTERS OF MUSIC BROUGHT LOW: DON’T LIKE LOUD SOUNDS OR MUSIC

AFRAID OF HEIGHT/TERRORS: NERVOUS ABOUT MANY THINGS, ANXIETY INCREASES

ALMOND TREE BLOSSOMS: COLOR TURNS TO WHITE WITH AGE (HAIR OF AN OLDER PERSON DOES SAME)

DESIRE FAILS: ROMANTIC FEELINGS FADE

SILVER & GOLD REPRESENT PRECIOUSNESS OF LIFE

PITCHER AND WHEEL REPRESENT USEFULNESS OF LIFE

DUST RETURNS/SPIRIT RETURNS GEN. 2:19, GEN. 3:19 JAMES 2:26, 2 TIM. 1;10

V. 8 VANITY OF VANITIES: LAST TIME SAID IN THE BOOK. WE TRULY SEE MANY THINGS DON’T MATTER WHEN WE AGE. SOMEDAY WE WILL DISCOVER PHYSICAL LIFE IS FLEETING AND CAN’T BE TRUSTED.

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the [b]ways of your heart, And [c]in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. 10 Therefore remove [d]sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and [e]youth are vanity. 1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the [a]difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: 2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim; 4 When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low. 5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. 6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is [b]loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. 7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”

The Book of Ecclesiastes cannot be interpreted correctly without an understanding of the final verses of the book. No matter what contradictions and mysteries we face, we must work toward the single purpose of knowing God. The teacher has shown us that we should enjoy life, but this does not exempt us from obeying God’s commandments. We do need to explore the meaning and purpose in life, but we must know that the answer will not be found in human endeavors. We should acknowledge the evil, foolishness, and injustices of life, yet maintain a positive attitude and strong faith in God. v. 8 ALL IS VANITY (1:2) LIFE SEEMS SO USELESS. LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS BROKENNESS. BUT WITH GOD, THE MEANINGLESS OF LIFE IS NOT THE LAST WORD. V. 9-‐10 PONDERED. THE PREACHER DESCRIBES HIS RIGOROUS PROCESS, WITH NO PAINS SPARED IN SEEKING TRUTH AND COMPREHENSION OF THE WORLD. SOUGHT OUT. INVESTIGATED TO SEE WHAT EACH PATH LED TO. SET IN ORDER. METHODICALLY ORGANIZED HIS LIFE AND EDUCATION IN A WAY THAT IS USEFUL FOR US TODAY. V. 11 WORDS OF THE WISE LIKE GOADS. A LONG SLENDER STICK (CATTLE PROD) USED FOR PRODDING AND GUIDING OXEN WHILE PLOWING. LIKE A SHARP GOAD, A WISE WORD MAY FEEL UNPLEASANT AT FIRST, BUT IT DIRECTS US IN A GOOD WAY. WELL DRIVEN NAILS. PROVIDE MORAL AND INTELECTUAL STABILITY. ONE SHEPHERD. THERE IS ONE SOURCE OF TRUTH—GOD, JOHN 14:6. INSTRUCTION FROM SCRIPTURE SUPERCEDES INSTRUCTION FROM PHILIOSPHY OF MEN. V. 11 MORE BOOKS. THERE ARE ENDLESS PHILOSPHIES AND OPINIONS OF MEN ON THE MEANING OF LIFE—THESE ARE NOT BAD FOR US TO STUDY. BUT GOD’S WORD IS WHERE WE FIND TRUE MEANING AND FULFILLMENT. BECAUSE LIFE IS SHORT, KNOW YOUR BIBLE AND BE READY FOR JUDGMENT. V. 12-‐13 FEAR GOD: TOTAL RESPECT (3:14, 5:7) REVERENCE IS THE FOUNDATION OF WISDOM, PSALM 111:10, PROVERBS 1:7 KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS (5:4-‐6, 7:17-‐18) DUTY OF MAN. THIS INVOLVES GENUINE FAITH AS WELL AS ACTION, JAMES 2:14-‐17. OUR FAITHFULNESS IS FAR FROM VANITY (MEANINGLESSNESS) V. 14 JUDGMENT. WE MUST BE READY TO MEET GOD. WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT YOUR LIFE WHEN YOUR TIME ON EARTH IS FINISHED? (3:17, 8:12-‐13, 11:9)

Ecclesiastes For This Is Man’s All Ecclesiastes 12:8-‐14 LESSON THIRTEEN

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set c] in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

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