1. Lesson 9 – Seeking Happiness…Finding Misery – Part 4: Christ in Ecclesiastes Brian K. Davis January 1, 2012 Seeking Answers A Study in Ecclesiastes

2. Elohim - means ‘”the Strong One”, “the Mighty One”, “the One far away”. Used for God as the Creator and Judge of the universe: Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. Solomon uses Elohim ~40 times in the book. This shows us His sovereignty over all creation, who is to be feared and worshipped. YHWH – means “the LORD God”, “the Redeemer”, “the near name of God”. Used for God as the covenant-keeping God and the God with men. Genesis 3:21 - Also for Adam and his wife the LORD (YHWH) God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. In Ecclesiastes, the man ''under the sun'' did not see God as the loving Heavenly Father, the covenant-keeping God, the God of redemption – he only considers Him as the Creator and Judge. Elohim in Ecclesiastes, not YHWH

3. Relationship between Creator and Creature God (Elohim): God’s Existence – Ecclesiastes 3:14; 5:2 God’s Sovereignty and Power – 6:2; 7:13; 9:1 God’s Justice – 5:8; 8:12-13 Man: Man’s Sinfulness– Ecclesiastes 7:20; 9:3 Man’s Finiteness – 8:8, 17 Man’s Duty – 9:7-10; 12:13 Man’s Immortality – 3:11; 12:7 Divine Punishment and Rewards: God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy - Ecclesiastes 2:26 God shall judge the righteous and the wicked - Ecclesiastes 3:17 it will be well with those who fear God - Ecclesiastes 8:12 God will bring you into judgment - Ecclesiastes 11:9 God will bring every work into judgment - Ecclesiastes 12:14

4. Solomon’s Search Portrays the emptiness and perplexity of life without a relationship with the Lord.  Matthew 16:26-27 - For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Shows us that the meaning of life is not to be found in experiencing the things of this world. True meaning is found only in serving the Creator (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1, 13-14).  Colossians 1:16-17 - For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

5. Solomon’s Search (continued) Teaches us that the wisdom of the world does not bring true knowledge.  Ecclesiastes 12:11 - The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.  one Shepherd – God who is the supreme Giver of wisdom  Proverbs 2:6 - For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding  Consider John 10:9-10 Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. The scientist tells us that the world is a closed system and nothing is changed. The historian tells us that life is a closed book and nothing is new. The philosopher tells us that life is a deep problem and nothing is understood. But Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24), and He has broken into history to bring new life to all who trust Him.