Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8  THE SEARCH : Trying To Find The Meaningful Life 1:12 – 2:26  THE PROBLEM : Understanding God’s Providential Rule Over Life 3:1 – 5:20  THE APPLICATION : Explaining & Applying God’s Plan 6:1 – 8:15  Trusting God & Living Joyfully In An Uncertain World 8:16 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  The Vanity Of Possessions 2:4-11  Solomon next tried to find life’s meaning through his building projects vv. 4-6  He built houses, parks, gardens, vineyards, and irrigation ponds  All was done “…for myself”  One “project” not listed The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 Ù The Temple

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  The Vanity Of Possessions 2:4-11  Man’s “projects” he builds for himself are a great & lasting source of pride  They lead to warped thinking Dan 4:4,  Life’s meaning will not be found here…they are destined for destruction 2 Pet 3:10 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  The Vanity Of Possessions 2:4-11  Solomon also enlarged his other “possessions” (slaves, wealth, entertainment) vv. 7-8  Solomon’s wealth certainly helped Israel prosper 2 Chron 1:14-15a 1 Kings 11:3a  Solomon’s wealth also fulfilled Moses’ warning re: Israel’s kings Deut 17:14-17 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  The Vanity Of Possessions 2:4-11  Through his “experimentation,” Solomon became great v. 9a  He always maintained his wisdom (generally remained in control) v. 9b  Yet, Solomon did not refuse himself any pleasures (indulgences) v. 10 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  The Vanity Of Possessions 2:4-11  Although his heart was pleased & he felt “rewarded”…he saw it all as “vanity” v. 11  All his exerted efforts brought no lasting profit “under the sun”  Making these activities the meaning of life was equivalent to “striving (grasping) after wind” The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  The man who repeats these “experiments” will not learn anything new v. 12  He admits wisdom exceeds folly vv a  Even though the wise will do better than the foolish, the same fate awaits both vv. 14b-16  There is no lasting remembrance of either The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  This is why the answer to his “search” was not to be found in wisdom cp. 1:12-18  The “crooked” can’t be “straightened”  There is “much grief in wisdom”  Solomon even admits his own “limitations” re: this “certainty” v. 15b The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  Thus, he “hated life”…the “work which had been done under the sun” and the “fruit of his labor” vv a  It wouldn’t last…it was vain and striving after the wind  It would be left to another after him v. 18b The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  The question plaguing Solomon… vv  Will he who manages the “fruit” of Solomon’s labor after he is gone do so wisely or foolishly?  Such doesn’t define man Lk 12:15  Such won’t leave this world Lk 12: Tim 6:6-8 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  The question plaguing Solomon… vv  Will he who manages the “fruit” of Solomon’s labor after he is gone do so wisely or foolishly?  Loving such is a “snare” 1 Tim 6:9-10  Such won’t make one soul “rich toward God” Lk 12:21 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  What Solomon Learned 2:12-23  A man who attempts to find life’s meaning and happiness through possessions will not even be able to enjoy peaceful rest at night v. 23  Worry will consume him  Another grievous vanity !! The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  Solomon’s Conclusions 2:24-26  This is Koheleth’s first glimpse “above the sun”  Man shouldn’t make possessions & pleasure the focus of his life  Rather, he should simply enjoy them as “gifts” from God v. 24 cp. Acts 14:17 17:25 Mt 5:45 Jas 1:5, 17 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  Solomon’s Conclusions 2:24-26  A debated verse in this context Ù v. 25 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? [KJV, NKJV] For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? [NASV, Septuagint] True

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE SEARCH 1:12 – 2:26  Solomon’s Conclusions 2:24-26  Re: the one who is good in God’s sight…he will have “wisdom, knowledge and joy” v. 26a  Re: the sinner…he will only “gather and collect for another” v. 26b vv  All he will ever know is vanity  He will not have a “purposeful” life The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8  THE SEARCH : Trying To Find The Meaningful Life 1:12 – 2:26  THE PROBLEM : Understanding God’s Providential Rule Over Life 3:1 – 5:20  THE APPLICATION : Explaining & Applying God’s Plan 6:1 – 8:15  Trusting God & Living Joyfully In An Uncertain World 8:16 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE PROBLEM 3:1 – 5:20  Admissions Re: God’s Control 3:1-11  “There is an appointed time for everything…”  Solomon is emphasizing God’s sovereign control over all events that happen in life  To illustrate, he lists 14 “couplets” vv. 2-8  He is not teaching man must find the right time to engage in these activities The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE PROBLEM 3:1 – 5:20  Admissions Re: God’s Control 3:1-11  Even things man might choose (plant, uproot) must still be done under conditions only God controls (rain, sun, seasons)  These “couplets” might be puzzling in that providence brings about conditions where we do 1 thing today…the opposite tomorrow The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE PROBLEM 3:1 – 5:20  Admissions Re: God’s Control 3:1-11  With all these “conditions” under God’s control, Solomon still asks… “What is man’s profit from that which he toils?” v. 9 cp. 1:3  These tasks = something God has given man to “occupy himself with” v. 10  All man does is controlled by a higher law The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …