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 APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Koheleth has searched…but came up empty 1:12 – 2:23  He “wrestled with” God’s providential and sovereign rule...he knows He is in control, but had trouble harmonizing it with a world that seemed “meaningless” at times 3:1 – 5:18 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  He also reached “above the sun” 2 times for proper conclusions re: life “under the sun” 2: :20  Now, it is time to apply what he has learned 6:1 – 8:15 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  It is “evil” for man to possess material blessings and not be able to enjoy them vv. 1-2  Not blaming God 2:24 5:18  A warning repeated from earlier 2:18  For man to invest so much of himself in things only to see a foreigner get them is “vain” The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  Even if a man fathers a large family and lives many years, he still may not be able to enjoy material blessings v. 3a  He may not even have a proper burial v. 3b  Prosperity doesn’t guarantee the “good life” will be free of misfortunes The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  Solomon argues a miscarriage is better off than such a prosperous man vv. 3c-5  It never has to experience such vexation  Even if a man could live 2 lives of 1,000 years, the miscarriage is still better…don’t all men go to the same place? v. 6 cp. 2:14-15 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  “All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet his appetite (soul) is not full” v. 7  Longing for prosperity will not satisfy 5: Tim 6:9-10  God’s blessings are meant to be used, not hoarded up cp. Lk 16:9 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  Does the “wise man” have an advantage over the “fool” in this area? v. 8  Yes…if he uses wisdom from “above the sun” (He’ll keep wealth in its proper priority)  No…if he uses wisdom from “under the sun” (Wisdom still won’t satisfy him) The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  The solution? Contentment v. 9  “What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires” cp. Phil 4: Tim 6:8  Ethicists cite The Hedonistic Paradox The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 The more one pursues pleasure, the more it eludes him.

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  The solution? Contentment v. 9  Ethicists cite The Hedonistic Paradox  No matter what one accumulates, he will not be satisfied and eventually say, “Enough!!”  He must learn the truth of Mt 10:39 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  Solomon also presents arguments re: man’s “nature” vv  Man’s time is limited as a “created” and “named” being v. 10 Gen 1:26  It does no good to “dispute” with Him who is stronger than man (i.e. God) v. 11 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12  Solomon also presents arguments re: man’s “nature” vv  Man doesn’t even know his future v. 12  It is sad for man to “fulfill his destiny” with material wealth that won’t satisfy Lk 12:15  Life is too short Job 14:1-2 Jas 4:14b The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8  The value of a good name v. 1a  “A good name is better than good ointment…”  “Name” = character, reputation  “Ointment” = wealth, affluence  Wealth doesn’t last Prov 23:5b  Character does…it outlives you Heb 11:4b The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8  In vv. 1b-8, Solomon presents 5 contrasts that emphasize adverse (bad) things aren’t always to be disdained The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8 Ê Death is better than birth v. 1b  Not saying being born is bad  Birth brings life to be lived…exposure to many of the vexations already mentioned  Death brings life’s trouble to an end 4:2  Death also brings the Lord closer Phil 1:23 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …