Unit 3: Job & Ecclesiastes

Author and Date:  No time period or writer's name is mentioned in the book, but several passages suggest that King Solomon may be the author: 1:1, 12, 16; 2:4-9  On the other hand, as “Teacher” could refer to a subject rather than monarch: 4:1-2. Title:  Ecclesiastes=Septuagint, Greek word ekkl sia, “assembly” or “church” Genre:  Wisdom literature

 2 Chronicles 1  Solomon prays for wisdom and is given wealth

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Purpose and Teaching  The author of Ecclesiastes puts his powers of wisdom to work to examine the human experience and assess the human situation.  His perspective is limited to what happens "under the sun" or life on earth.  He considers life as he has experienced and observed it between the horizons of birth and death -- life within the boundaries of this visible world.

Purpose and Teaching continued…  His wisdom cannot penetrate beyond that last horizon; he can only observe the phenomenon of death and perceive the limits it places on human beings. Within the limits of human experience and observation, he is concerned to spell out what is "good" for people to do. And he represents a devout wisdom. Life in the world is under God -- for all its enigmas. Hence what begins with "Meaningless! Meaningless ends with Remember your Creator and Fear God in 12:1 & 12:13.

1. Wisdom 2. Pleasure/Self-indulgence 3. Wealth

 What thoughts went through your mind as we read this chapter?  What is your first impression of the Teacher?  Do you think he speaks wisely?  Theme stated in v. 2 & 3  What is it?

WITHOUT GOD! ① Notice the pessimistic tone, contrasted with positive moods. ② Read 1:1-11: taken at face value, life is meaningless. What thoughts went through your mind as we read the passage? What is your first impression of the Teacher? ③ The theme is stated in verses 2-3. ④ How do the examples from nature support the teacher’s theme? ⑤ What does the teacher say about history? ⑥ What does the teacher say about people? ⑦ Remember with wisdom literature, see parable, allegory, proverb, taunting, and enigmatic saying ⑧ Ecclesiastes means one who addresses an assembly; teacher, preacher, or philosopher.

 Read each chapter  Refer to your outline  Write a summary statement of each chapter  Highlight Ecc in your Bible according to the outline  Homework: Read Ecclesiastes 1-3 and summarize in 2-3 sentences the main ideas of each chapter.

① Start on one end of paper and draw out a line to the end of sheet, representing the beginning and end of your life. ② Choose some “BIG DEAL” events in your life and mark them down; leave space to represent the part of your life you have not yet lived ③ Mark your date of birth, grade you are in, etc. Plot 3-5 things that you want to have happen in your future. ④ Draw a large cross at the appropriate point on your timeline prior to your current position in life to represent the time when you began to follow Jesus; if you don’t know Christ, draw the cross somewhere in the future. ⑤ On your timeline, what would the Teacher say is “meaningless,” based on 1-11? ⑥ Journal entry #1: Write a letter to the Teacher and relate to the Teacher something in your life that you believe has meaning and lasting value.