Ecclesiastes Finding Purpose in Life Under the Sun Lesson 11 - Wise and Joyful Living Ecclesiastes 11:1 12:1
Review Ecclesiastes Preacher; one who addresses an assembly Writer Solomon Theme Vanity - the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God Purpose/Conclusion Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. (12:13)
Lessons for Today Give freely and generously to those in need with no thought of return or reward Let us be people of action. Make use of the present and the advantages that we have now and can see before us. Make the most of each day and enjoy life. Each day is a gift from God. Young people should find delight in this life and recognize their loving Creator s constant presence.
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Q1 - List at least five principles on stewardship which are taught here. Give generously with no thought of return or reward Generosity will reap its rewards Be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket; learn how to manage your risk Make use of the opportunities that present themselves Deal with circumstances as you find them; waiting for the perfect conditions to work or act will paralyze us Under all circumstances, we must do the very best we can and let God control the things that are out of our control. Be a person of action; make use of the present and the advantages that we have now and can see before us Trust God
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Q2 - What is meant by the figure of speech which states, Cast your bread upon the surface of the waters? Charity; one s benevolence should be practiced freely without a view to personal return The daily pursuit of labor; resigning oneself to the providence of God s certain control and promise of reward Comes from the image of a trading ship: Cast - to send forth; like a merchant sending forth his ships loaded with trade goods Did not know when it would return; long periods elapsed before the ship returned with goods from trading Solomon certainly practiced such ventures. 1 Ki. 10:22
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Just as the ship returns to reward the one who sent it, so the Lord will reward the one who demonstrates compassion for others Prov. 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given. Give generously and you will be blessed in your giving More blessed to give than to receive Because the giver is the recipient! (Lk. 6:38) Many never learn the secret to really living is giving
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Q3 - Is benevolence taught in verse two? Explain. seven and also to eight - dispersing to seven and more, or to many Do not put all your eggs in one basket Generosity - help as many as possible If some misfortune occurs and one loses all his possessions, there would be many ready to help Lk. 16:1-9 The Parable of the Unjust Steward Doesn t teach generosity in order to gain more Give freely and generously to those in need without any thought of return or reward Do good without any hope of gratitude or return favors Do we give this way? Do we do good in this fashion?
There are certain things one neither knows nor controls which may have tremendous effects upon his life, yet he must work with all his might and commit himself to God s providential care. The figure of speech Cast your bread upon the waters need not be restricted to a single aspect of one s work or labor. Let it speak to the total picture of industry. Let it encompass charity, but allow more than this. If one s life is lived in its totality according to the righteous rules and principles preached by Koheleth in his book, then the reward will assuredly come to him after many days. R.J. Kidwell
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Verse 3 See certain things that are outside of our control and simply following the laws of nature When the clouds are full of rain, what happens? They empty themselves on the earth. When the wind blows what often happens? Some trees may fall; in a way that is out of your control; stay where they landed. Make use of opportunities before something cuts them off Often delay taking hold of opportunities; then something changes and prevents that opportunity Stop worrying about what you can t change and start focusing on what you can change
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Q4 - What arguments are made to show that one should plant his crops regardless of the weather signs? Wind may threaten to blow away seeds at sowing time Clouds may threaten to drop heavy rains and damage the harvest We must employ good judgment and act; some things are out of our control Waiting for perfect conditions to act will paralyze us Do the very best we can; let God control things out of our control (9:10) If we re always watching the skies if we re waiting for the perfect weather conditions, we ll never sow the seed or reap the harvest Do not fall into the rut of procrastination
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Verse 5 wind probably the better translation We do not know or understand what causes the wind to blow when and where it does; unpredictable How a baby grows in the womb the work of God We do not know the works of God Should not fret or get frustrated over what might happen Do not borrow trouble Don t wait on the perfect weather conditions in life Let us be people of action Make use of the present and the advantages that we have now and can see before us
Work in Harmony with Wisdom (Eccl. 11:1-6) Verse 6 Hammers the nail one more time The farmer must work morning and night and trust in God to take of the rest He does not know what will prosper and bear fruit, but he must work nevertheless One never knows which of our efforts will succeed But if the effort is never put forth to begin with, the outcome is certain no success will be realized
Joyful Living (Eccl. 11:7-8) Verses 7-8 Metaphors: light the light is sweet life is to be enjoyed to behold the sun poetic way of saying to be alive It truly is pleasant or good to be alive No matter how difficult things may become or how sad some circumstances may be Still good to be alive and to enjoy God s blessings Especially true while one is still young and healthy Enjoy each day! Each is a gift from God
Joyful Living (Eccl. 11:7-8) Q5 - What should a man do if he lives a long time? Rejoice in all of his years Find simple enjoyment in each day But live with a view toward the end of life Recognizing God in all things Live a joyful life but not one of abandon If God blesses you with the breath of life each day, He expects you to make each day count Get out and enjoy each day; make the most of them Seize the day!
Joyful Living (Eccl. 11:7-8) There will be dark days - pain, poor health, mourning Will typically be more frequent as you grow older and nearer to death Take of advantage of the bright days while you have them Don t waste them away with trivial things Make life meaningful and enjoyable eat and drink and enjoy the good in your labor (2:24) rejoice and do good in your life (3:12) enjoy the good of all [your] labor (5:18) live joyfully with the wife whom you love (9:9) whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might (9:10)
Driving in The Deep Ruts of Life We spend too many hours on the wrong priorities and fall into the rut of believing that an ultra-busy schedule equals a productive life. Three truths blow away that myth: 1. The fruit of the spirit is not lemons God is a God of joy. Have you allowed life to steal your laughter? 2. Even ants have time to go to picnics Jesus didn t work 24/7/365. If the Savior took time to rest and recharge, do you think we should too? 3. Even if you win the rat race, you re still a rat Learn to laugh, prioritize time with family, and above all, make time to be alone with God. Be committed to making each day count! (Wilson Adams)
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Their hopes, dreams and ambitions will be shaped by attitudes formed while still young. (R.J. Kidwell) In v. 9, youth are to rejoice in all good things that give the heart true cheer; in v. 10, he is told to put aside all that might interfere with such legitimate joy; and in 12:1, provision is made for the youth to see that his roots are to run deep in remembering God which alone assures joy. (H.C. Leupold)
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Q6 - Although young men are told to enjoy their youth, what warning should they remember? God will bring everything into judgment Do not live in a way contrary to God s will Pursue the pleasures of life, but tempered with the recognition that God will bring all into judgment Many ways for us to find enjoyment in this life in keeping with God s will Why is it that so many will chase the sinful paths of life to find enjoyment? The life of a Christian doesn t have to be dull and unenjoyable Judgment - the inevitable judgment all will face one day Has hinted at existence after life: 9:5,6,10 12:7
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Q7 - Should the young follow all the impulses and desires of their hearts? Discuss. Obviously not; should be satisfied in ways that God has authorized A part of who we are; the Lord is pleased when we satisfy them in ways that He has approved Problem comes when we go outside of His will letting our desires rule us in any way that may come James 1:14-15
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Q8 - Why should youth remove sorrow from their hearts and evil from their flesh? Those things that injure the inner and outer man Robs youth of enjoyment Remove grief and anger from your heart Too many young people miss out on a joyful life because of this Develop an angry and rebellious spirit These things rob one of joy Childhood and youth are vanity Time will come when the vigor of youth will seem vain You don t have that much time, so make the most of it
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Q9 - At what time in life should one remember God? In the days of one s youth Do not wait until late in life What a sad thing to do to not know the peace and hope we can have in Christ until late in life to live a life of uncertainty and anxiety How does the Preacher refer to God? Your Creator helps put a proper perspective before the young God is the One who has made him; gives him the opportunities to enjoy life It is He who gives the breath of life the vigor of youth Remember Him now, while one is still in His youth The joy of youth will be real and meaningful
The Days of Youth (Eccl. 11:9 12:1) Q10 - What are the difficult days? When one grows old, and everything becomes difficult when the years draw near (see following verses) Simple, everyday tasks become a challenge Q11 - Young people are to enjoy and find delight in life. Is this same delight available all through life? Discuss. Yes, but it changes The things that bring joy change with time and age Life is meant to be lived It is meant to be enjoyed Find the simple pleasures in each day that God gives us Live joyfully and fully!
Lessons for Today Give freely and generously to those in need with no thought of return or reward Let us be people of action. Make use of the present and the advantages that we have now and can see before us. Make the most of each day and enjoy life. Each day is a gift from God. Young people should find delight in this life and recognize their loving Creator s constant presence.