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  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  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  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 THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8 Ë The house of mourning is better than the house of feasting v. 2  Not saying going to a festive event is wrong  “It is the end of every man…” 3:2, 19  “…the living take it to heart” (gives us the opportunity to consider how we are living) 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 Ë The house of mourning is better than the house of feasting v. 2  When is the best time to preach the gospel?  At a funeral attended by the living who are lost  Even “innocent fun” must eventually be put away to learn life’s serious lessons 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 Ì Sorrow is better than laughter vv. 3-4  It helps us move on to more serious matters  Especially if sin is involved, godly sorrow leads one to genuine repentance 2 Cor 7:9-10  The heart is truly made “happy” (better) when “sadness” (seriousness) is appreciated 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 Ì Sorrow is better than laughter vv. 3-4  Only a “wise man” appreciates the value of time spent in the house of mourning  The “fool” would rather avoid the sadness and spend his time where the party is happening 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 Í Rebuke is better than a song vv. 5-7  Not saying singing is bad, wrong  The fool’s song = crackling of thorns (nettles) under the pot  They light quickly & burn noisily…yet, they do not endure (provide no lasting benefit) 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 Í Rebuke is better than a song vv. 5-7  Rebukes show that others care about our needed improvement  Receiving a rebuke shows a serious maturity  Songs may give wrong impressions...false praise & encouragement in wrong direction 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 Í Rebuke is better than a song vv. 5-7  The fool’s song can be dangerous v. 7  It can lead to one oppressing others (power goes to his head)  It can corrupt the heart through “perverted justice” (through bribery) 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 Î The end is better than the beginning v. 8  One will be more likely to form the correct opinion (interpretation) of the matter  He will be less likely to speculate  This will determine whether one is “patient” or “hasty” (haughty) 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 Î The end is better than the beginning v. 8  Remember…life can certainly bring about unexpected “surprises” cp. 3:22  Being at the end is advantageous  “At the end” is where we finally understand God’s providence Gen 45:4-8 50:19-20 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 The previous theme 3:1 – 5:20

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Some General Admonitions 7:9-14 Ê Be careful about being angry v. 9  Adversity can easily lead one to anger  Only a “fool” yields to this temptation  We are generally warned about this disposition in the Scripture Eph 4:26-27 Jas 1:19b-20 The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15  Some General Admonitions 7:9-14 Ë Do not yearn for “the good old days” v. 10  Adversity can cause some to hearken back to “yester-year”  Such a desire is “…not from wisdom”  It prevents us from appreciating the present (people, God’s gifts, etc.) The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …