1. PROVIDENCE: Man’s Life in God’s Hand (Eccl. 9:1) For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them. (ASV) Edited from lesson by Ron Halbrook

2. PROVIDENCE 1. 1. All Things Are In God’s Hand   Man was made in God’s image with free will   Whatever we choose, God fulfills His plan   Providence: Work of God’s hand in affairs of daily life to fulfill His purpose Solomon: Meaning of Life on Earth?   Eccl. 1:1-3Life void of meaning carnally viewed   But Solomon acknowledged providence   Eccl. 12:13-14 Life’s purpose found in God Solomon Taught Important Lessons about God’s Providence We Will Be Blessed in Considering Subject

3. God’s Providence Over Man’s Labor (Eccl. 2:24-26) A. A. Labor’s Rewards Temporary (2:18-23) A. A. Must finally be left to another -- wise or fool B. B. One inheriting goods has not worked, but gains B. B. Labor’s Blessings Providential (2:24-26) A. A. Blessings through labor “from the hand of God” B. B. God will bless the one who pleases Him C. C. God also able to bring travail on sinner by such C. C. Conclusion: Moral Governance of Man’s Labor in God’s Hand

4. God’s Providence Over Life’s Changes (Eccl. 3:1-22) A. A. Life’s Changes Are Inescapable (3:1-9) A. A. “To every thing there is a season…” B. B. God’s Purpose in Life’s Struggles Cannot Be Known & Are Unalterable (3:10-15) A. A. “Man cannot find out the work God hath done” C. C. Man Powerless Under God’s Hand (3:16-22) A. A. “God will judge the righteous & the wicked” D. D. Conclusion: Moral Governance of Life’s Changes Is Also in God’s Hand

5. Trust in God’s Providence by Patience & Wisdom (Eccl. 7:8-14) A. A. Patiently Wait for God’s Providence (7:8-10) A. A. Patient spirit is opposite to proud spirit B. B. Rash anger hinders patience & leads to folly C. C. When we long for past, we reject providence B. B. Wisely Wait for God’s Providence (7:11-14) A. A. Wisdom is better than riches as a defense B. B. Wisdom teaches us to accept prosperity & adversity, learning lessons from both C. C. Yet, wisdom cannot discern God’s providence

6. God’s Providence & Justice (Eccl. 8:11-15) A. A. Just punishment delayed encourages evil (11) B. B. But divine justice is certain (12-13) C. C. Man cannot explain why good comes to the evil & tragedy to the good (14) A. A. From man’s limited viewpoint, this is problem B. B. From God’s omniscient view, justice is seen D. D. Despite injustice, enjoy God’s blessings (15) E. E. Conclusion: Trust that God is in control & will bring providential justice

7. God’s Providence Over Life Summarized (Eccl. 8:16-9:12) A. A. Man cannot understand God’s work (8:16-17) B. B. Illustration of life’s enigmas & uncertainties by similarity of death (9:2-6) C. C. Advice to man on dealing with life under sun: A. A. Enjoy life’s providential blessings (9:7-10) B. B. Remember life & death are uncertain (9:11-12) D. D. Principle: Life’s enigmas & uncertainties are in God’s hand (9:1)

8. Responsibility of Man Under God’s Providence (Eccl. 11:1-6) A. A. Do all the good we can (11:1-2) B. B. Do not use uncertainties as excuse (11:3-4) C. C. God’s power in providence is known to Him, but is beyond our understanding (11:5) A. A. Deut. 29:29 Secret things belong to God D. D. We must do our work by faith, leaving the result in God’s providential hand (11:6) E. E. To man of faith, God’s control is comforting F. F. To faithless, God’s providence is troubling