Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

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Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Man often “searches” for life’s meaning

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

“The meaning of life? Sorry, you’re on the wrong mountain. I’m the guru of handy

household tips.”

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Man often “searches” for life’s meaning Asking this question is not bad…the

concern is where one looks for answers God inspired Ecclesiastes to aid the

“honest seeker” in his quest

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Some see the book in “unflattering” ways

Full of contradictions Creates cynical, pessimistic readers

Proper view a positive affirmation of what really matters “under the sun”

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Like all the rest of Scripture, Ecclesiastes

is relevant & timely…even “up-to-date” When sin entered the world, God subjected

creation to futility Rom 8:20 Gen 3:9-19 He did this “…in hope” This can give life a “puzzling” aspect

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Because life “under the sun” now had to

be figured out, men searched for purpose Not everyone looks in the same place for

the answers Not everyone lives by the same rules

Judg 17:6

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview The book asks the question early on 1:3

Man tries to find the answers in pursuits that will only frustrate him 5:10-11

These will fail because they involve things that aren’t as eternal as man is 3:11

Col 2:22a 1 Jn 2:15-17

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview Besides answering the question, the book

also vindicates God’s dealings with man Yes…life does have injustices Yes…life is like a “puzzle” at times 1:15 But, God is always righteous…serving Him

is always best 8:12-13

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Overview After presenting all the “wrong” answers,

the book concludes properly 12:13-14 Life is best lived when man seeks to do his

Creator’s will Acts 17:26-27

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship Who wrote the book? Do we know? The Bible does have anonymous books…

their messages can still be learned This book is different…we contend we

must know the author to properly learn what the book is teaching

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship The book chronicles the author’s

experiences as he pursues life’s meaning His identity will validate his attempts to

answer the probing question re: life’s meaning

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship He was “Koheleth” (“Preacher”) “Ecclesiastes” = the Greek equivalent His description 1:1, 12, 16 2:9a Who else but Solomon? 1 Kings 4:29-31

1 Chron 29:25 2 Chron 1:11-12

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship Despite his promising & faithful beginning,

he fell…“affectionally,” not “intellectually” He went after what he felt, not what he knew This is how all men fall into sin He fell from what he had been, what he had

seen, and from what he had written

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall,

He still could use it to teach others Solomon reached a “plateau” no other man

will ever reach (wisdom, wealth, etc.) If he could not find happiness in those

areas, what will be our chances?

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall,

He still could use it to teach others Solomon apparently writes as an older man It is also assumed he repented If not, he would be the first apostate God

would inspire to write Scripture

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Authorship Though God did not cause Solomon’s fall,

He still could use it to teach others As such an “experienced” older man, he

tells his readers to not repeat his mistakes He tried them all…they all failed him He points us in the only right direction

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Koheleth is not…

…a “stoic” enjoy God’s gifts 2:24 …an “Epicurean” judgment 12:9, 14 …a “cynic” life has a purpose 8:12 …a “pagan” only 1 God 5:1-7 12:13

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Technically, Ecclesiastes is a “theodicy”

A justification of a righteous God and His dealings with humanity, especially in the face of inequities and unfairness

Life “under the sun” is unfair at times, but Koheleth strongly defends God

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Even though God’s purpose may not be

visibly clear at times, He always remains gracious & good in how He deals with man

His revealed will possesses the same characteristics Deut 6:24 1 Jn 5:3

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Some important truths taught about…

…God (He is wise, sovereign) 3:14 7:29cp. Isa 55:8-9 1 Cor 1:18-21

2:4-5 …death (life is short; death is certain) cp.

3:19 9:10-12 Jas 4:14 Heb 9:27

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Some important truths taught about…

…life (sometimes is hard, unfair)2:10, 21 cp. 2:24-26

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Key phrases found in the book

“Under the sun” (29 times) The visible or created world Living without a relationship with God Without such wisdom & meaning, life truly

is pessimistic & hopeless

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Key phrases found in the book

“Vanity” (37 times) Empty or unsatisfying activities God did

not design to have lasting value To make them more important than God

intended is to “grasp for the wind”

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Message Key phrases found in the book

“Vanity” (37 times) Man will indeed be left holding an empty

bag if he emphasizes temporal activities too much Mt 16:26

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Outline As with any Biblical book, one can find

several different outlines The one we will use is simple

There are some “sub sections” But, the basic structure is a simple 3-part

approach

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Outline The Prologue 1:1-11

An introduction of “themes” Solomon will discuss throughout the book

The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 The largest section of the book Solomon’s “failed experiments”

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Outline The Epilogue 12:9-14

The firm conclusion and “rational” exhortation re: life’s meaning & purpose

Lesson 1 – General Introduction

Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

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