Ecclesiastes Lesson 1: What s Life All About? Written by David Self Sunday, 16 July :00 - Last Updated Thursday, 13 July :05

Transcription

1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 23, 2006 "What's Life All About?" Background: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22 Lesson: Eccl. 1:1-2, 16-17, 2:1, 3-4, 11, 24, 26, 3:16-17 Motivation: A recurring theme of Ecclesiastes is the futility of finding security or significance in earthly pursuits; they do not come from human effort (1:2-11), travel and sightseeing (1:12-18), pleasure (2:1-11), human wisdom (2:12-17), hard work (2:18-26), self-centeredness (4:7-12), power (4:13-16), sacrifice and vows (5:1-7) nor wealth (5:8-6:12). Security and significance are only found in Christ. (cf. Eccl. 12:13) Examination: I. Theme of Futility (Eccl. 1:1-18) A. Author/Date The - authorship and corresponding date (10 th century B.C.) are introduced in verse 1 "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem..." (1:1) Believer's Study Bible, p. 892: 1:1 "This verse is the equivalent of the title page in a modern book including these elements: (1) title, the Preacher'; (2) author, the son of David'; (3) identification of its author, king in Jerusalem.' David had many sons, but only one was king in Jerusalem. Though the name is not specified, one can safely assume that the reference is to the direct son of David rather than to some later descendant and that it points naturally and logically to David's successor Solomon as the author. No other Davidic descendant measures up to this description: Unrivaled wisdom (v. 16), unequaled wealth (2:8), unlimited host of servants (2:7), unrestricted pursuit of carnal pleasures (2:3), unusually extensive building activity (2:4-6). Furthermore, to consider Solomon as merely a literary tool, casting doubt on the literal and historical accuracy of this penned inscription, opens the door for discrediting the truthfulness and divine authorship of Scripture." B. Temporal Nature "Vanity of vanities...all is vanity" (2 ) Vanity may be translated "vapor" (it has also been compared to soap bubbles and cotton candy, things that seem to have substance, but quickly disappear). The words 1 / 7

2 "vanity" or "vanities" are used almost forty times in the book and demonstrate the temporal nature of earthly things (as contrasted to the eternal nature of heavenly things). (2 Cor. 4:17-18) C. Troubling Purpose "What profit has a man from all his labor...?" (3) Believer's Study Bible, p. 892: 1:3 "The word here translated profit' ( yitron, Heb.) is a business term and is found 10 times in the book ( profit,' 1:3; 2:11; 3:9; 5:9, 16; excels,' twice in 2:13; excellence,' 7:12; success,' 10:10; different,' 10:11). The point is What is left?' (cf. Mark 8:36). Under the sun' is also a significant phrase in the book, occurring 29 times. It refers to life in this world and all that is involved in it. This is a characteristic phrase used by the Preacher to indicate the earthbound perspective from which he has chosen to examine life, as well as the earthbound sphere in which the ungodly have chosen to live their lives. The author has chosen to limit himself in the body of this work to what can be known by experience and observation in order to demonstrate both his understanding of the human condition apart from God's revelation, and the inadequacy of this perspective. The majority of the book is a view of life from below,' i.e., a worm's-eye view.' His point will be that life in and of itself cannot supply the key to questions of meaning, purpose, and value. This can only come from God and must be accepted by faith." (Heb. 11:25; Ps. 16:11; Eccl. 5:18-20) D. Terrible Warning "And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." (17-18) The instructions we read here (1:17-18) are a warning not to let these things become an end in themselves, but rather a means to an end. Believer's Study Bible, p. 893: 1:18 "An increase in wisdom' presupposes knowledge. As a man learns disturbing facts about himself, he becomes more aware of his own ignorance and less satisfied with his own heart. As he attains greater insight into what is wrong in the world, he is less willing to trust his fellow man. In other words, the pain and heartache resulting from wisdom' and knowledge' come as the futility of earthly possessions is realized. Wisdom and knowledge in themselves, though good, are comfortless. The believer must always seek to increase in knowledge and wisdom only as a means of better understanding the Lord and serving Him. He must learn patience, committing the ordering of events of God and releasing all earthly anxiety." (Phil. 4:6; Col. 2:2-3; I Cor. 1:30) II. Emptiness of Pleasure and Possessions (Eccl. 2:1-11) 2 / 7

3 Advertising tends to glorify the body and the senses. "Buy this and you'll look (or smell or feel) better. Solomon points out the lie by indulging himself in "whatever my eyes desired" ; yet, his conclusion was "all was vanity." (2:11) Solomon's wealth allowed him to sample anything and everything. His "wish list" included (but was not limited to) "mirth" (1) "pleasure" (1), "wine" (3), "great works" (4) "houses... vineyards... gardens... orchards...water pools" (4-6), "male and female servants " (7) "greater possessions...than all who were in Jerusalem before me" (7) "silver and gold and the special treasures" (8) "male and female singers...and musical instruments of all kinds" (8). Believer's Study Bible, p. 893: 2:10, 11 "The phrase whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them' points to the lust of the eyes (cf. 1 John 2:16). The Preacher experienced all the joyous sensations from a way of life characterized by the gratification of every whim (vv. 3-9), but when the temporal joy vanished, only the labor remained: a burdensome reminder of the fruitlessness of labor in itself and of the inadequacy of materialism. When the work ended, so did the enjoyment of it." III. Futility of Wisdom and Work (Eccl. 2:12-26) A. Frustration "And how does a wise man die? As a fool!" (16b) Despite all his wealth and wisdom, the Preacher would, in the end, die just like a common fool. (Hosea 8:7) B. Despair "Therefore I hated life..." (17) "Then I hated all my labor..." (18) 3 / 7

4 Believer's Study Bible, p. 894: 2:18 "In the following verses (2:18-6:9) the root amal (Heb.), translated labor,' toil,' or work,' occurs 26 of its 37 times in Ecclesiastes. The apparent futility of human labor or toil will be repeatedly and empirically made clear." C. An Answer (24-26) At this point, the reader is ready to throw up his hands and say, "If Solomon couldn't be satisfied with all his wealth and power, what hope is there for me?" In verses 24-26, Solomon makes the point that anyone can be happy in the Lord. "Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind." (24-26) Believer's Study Bible, p. 895: 2:24-26 "This is the first of six occurrences of the book's refrain, which gives the reader relief from the otherwise pessimistic viewpoint from which life is being examined. God's blessing provides even the most mundane aspects of life, i.e., eating and drinking. True enjoyment of the basics of life is possible, but even these natural gifts on the simplest and lowest level are not within man's power to bestow upon himself, but must come from a higher source. Verses 2-3 stand solidly against an Epicurean misinterpretation of this verse, which would interpret eat and drink' only in its most narrow sense of bodily pleasure. Rather the emphasis is this: the power of enjoyment depends upon the will of God (cf. James 1:17). The end of v. 26 could be translated This indeed is vanity...' Among the Hebrew names for God, elohim' is the most general one (see Gen. 1:1). In Ecclesiastes it is the only names used. YAHWEH, the personal covenant name of God, the name associated with His redemptive purpose, is not used. The reason may be the chosen perspective of the book (1:3)." IV. Timeliness of Actions (Eccl. 3:1-15) "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." ( 1) Believer's Study Bible, p. 895: 3:1-8 "Blind fate would be a terrible 4 / 7

5 consolation but how comforting it is to know that the events of the universe are ordered by a compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, faithful God. If tragedy strikes, we have but to wait patiently for the hour of redemption. This is the broadest unfolding of God's sovereign rule, and understanding divine sovereignty is a prerequisite to trusting divine providence. Everything is ordered by God, without any dependence upon man's approval, at a divinely appointed time, according to God's plan and providence. The different activities mentioned (vv. 2-8) include 14 pairs of opposites in order to cover the widest range of activity and to represent every aspect of human activity. They are exclusively divine activities in respect to appointment - i.e., a proper time for God to act. His sovereignty demands that all rest upon His will (cf. Deut. 32:39; Ps. 75:2; 102:13). Since man cannot know what God intends to do, he consequently cannot order his own doings and goings, but must wait upon the Lord. The lengthy list adds emphasis to the fact that all of a man's life is under the control of the overall providence of God (cf. Jer. 10:23)." 3:11 is perhaps the key verse in the book. "...He has put eternity in their hearts..." suggesting that man can only find true significance by trusting in God; he is powerless to understand the mysteries of the universe and eternity on his own. 3:12-13 records the second occurrence of the book's refrain. (Prov. 3:5-6; Ps. 37:4-8; Deut. 29:29). V. Mystery of Injustice and Death (Eccl. 3:16-22) This section begins with a denunciation of human justice (16-17) which is continued in chapter 4. The Preacher concludes with the inevitability of death for every living thing. Humans and animals are alike in that they live and then they die. This section should not be used as a text for Solomon's belief in life after death; he makes clear his belief in the spirit returning to God in 12:7. Application 1. Temporal things will not produce lasting satisfaction. 2. God's sovereign purpose guides the life of believers. 3. Our ultimate security, significance and satisfaction must be found in God through Christ. 5 / 7

6 Teaching Packet: Item 15: Poster: Unit 2 Outline Biblical Illustrator: p. 35 "Vanity: A word study," p. 47 "Introducing Ecclesiastes" Notes/Dates: July 25 - Women's Ministry Event, July Student Outreach, July First Place Leadership Summit, July 28 - CSI Houston Oasis & Rotunda, July 29-4 Him KSBJ Concert, 7/29-8/1 - Children's Camp, Aug Adult Leadership Training, Aug Bible Study Promotion Day, Aug Teacher Training Track 103, Aug CSI Houston - Oasis & Rotunda, Aug Share Your Faith Workshop, Sept. 1 - KSBJ/Paul Baloche, Reuben Morgan, Desperation "Night of Praise & Worship, Sept. 3 - Full Schedule (Labor Day Weekend), 9/12-10/24 - Beth Moore Tues. Bible study, Sept CSI Houston; Sept Marriage Conf./ Rosbergs, Sept First Hope Job Fair; Oct Luis Palau City Fest, Oct CSI Houston, Nov INSPIRE Conference, Nov / 7

7 - Christmas Store donations, Nov CSI Houston, Nov Full Schedule (Thanksgiving), Dec. 2 - MTC Christmas Store, Dec Christmas Presentation; Dec CSI Houston, Dec Christmas Eve - (both a.m./ss opt; 5 & 11 pm), Dec New Year's Eve (Full Schedule). 7 / 7