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2. Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes
Finding Life's Meaning
Under The Sun
Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

3. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Overview
Man often “searches” for life’s meaning

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

5. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

6. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Overview
Some see the book in “unflattering” ways
Full of contradictions
Creates cynical, pessimistic readers
Proper view Ù a positive affirmation of what really matters “under the sun”

7. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

8. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

9. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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 Jn 2:15-17

10. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

11. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Overview
After presenting all the “wrong” answers, the book concludes properly :13-14
Life is best lived when man seeks to do his Creator’s will Acts 17:26-27

12. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

13. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

14. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Authorship
He was “Koheleth” (“Preacher”)
“Ecclesiastes” = the Greek equivalent
His description 1:1, 12, :9a
Who else but Solomon? Kings 4: Chron 29: Chron 1:11-12

15. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

16. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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?

17. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

18. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

19. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Message
Koheleth is not…
…a “stoic” Ù enjoy God’s gifts 2:24
…an “Epicurean” Ù judgment 12:9, 14
…a “cynic” Ù life has a purpose 8:12
…a “pagan” Ù only 1 God 5: :13

20. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

21. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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: Jn 5:3

22. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Message
Some important truths taught about…
…God (He is wise, sovereign) 3:14 7:29 cp. Isa 55: Cor 1: :4-5
…death (life is short; death is certain) cp. 3:19 9: Jas 4:14 Heb 9:27

23. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Message
Some important truths taught about…
…life (sometimes is hard, unfair) 2:10, cp. 2:24-26

24. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

25. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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”

26. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

27. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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

28. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
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”

29. Lesson 1 – General Introduction
Outline
The Epilogue 12:9-14
The firm conclusion and “rational” exhortation re: life’s meaning & purpose

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