Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 6, 2006 "How Can I Stay On Course" Background: Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:17 Lesson: Eccl. 7:1-14, 21-22 Motivation: To his long list of "vanities," Solomon now adds the search for wisdom and righteousness. It's impossible to appropriate God's wisdom and righteousness without first turning away from the world's shallow substitute. 1 Cor. 1:30. Examination: I. Life's Wisdom (Eccl. 7:1-13) The preacher introduces several comparisons that often seem to be paradoxes: A. A Name is Better Than Perfume "A good name is better than precious ointment." (1) B. Death is Better Than Birth "And the day of death than the day of one's birth." (1b) Believer's Study Bible, p. 899: 7:1 "The Jewish commentators offer a clear interpretation of this verse. It was the Hebrew's greatest ambition to leave a good name, i.e., a reputation which is an honorable memory to his posterity. The thought in the second clause is closely connected with the first, as the conjunction and' indicates. If a man's life is such that he leaves behind him a good name and reputation, then the day of his death is simply the victorious accounting of his life and thus better than the day of his birth, which, as the beginning of life, is a time of uncertainty. For the Christian, the day of death is certainly a time of betterment (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Phil. 1:21-23)." Prov. 22:1 C. Sorrow is Better Than Laughter "Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. (2, 3-5) Believer's Study Bible, p. 899: 7:3, 4 "Sorrow tends to produce a saddening reflection, while laughter may indicate a frivolous frame of mind. In a serious mood, one is more ready to think reflectively about life. From this comes the motivation for a purification of heart." 1 / 6
D. Wise Rebuke is Better Than a Fool's Song "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools." (5) E. Wisdom is Better Than Manipulation "Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, and a bribe debases the heart. (7) Though intended to achieve, such tactics may instead thwart. F. An End is Better Than the Beginning "The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." (8-10) It's relatively easy to start something, but to finish well is a true achievement. G. Wisdom is Better Than Money "For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it." (12) (Matt. 25:29) Although both money and wisdom give protection, wisdom is better (11-12). II. Life's Extremes (Eccl. 7:13-29) A. Power That Comes From God (13-14) "Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him." Accept what comes from God: be joyful in times of prosperity but learn to grow in times of adversity. Believer's Study Bible, p. 900: 7:14 "God has balanced prosperity with adversity according to His providence so that man may be totally dependent upon Him. This trust in divine providence is the only sufficient protection against the evil which inevitably comes." Prov. 3:5-6 B. Problems That Come With Works (15-29) 8-10 1. Watch Your Walk "Do not be overly righteous" (16) Col. 2:3,, 2 / 6
Believer's Study Bible, p. 900: 7:16-18 "To be overly righteous,' parading one's righteousness through ritual ceremony, is to forget one's own sinfulness and need for repentance. To be overly wise' is to profess loudly one's inadequacy in understanding the divine ways (cf. Rom. 9:19, 20). To purport to be more righteous than other men and even wiser than God Himself is to move toward destruction." 1 Cor. 1:18-23; Ps. 75:5-6 2. Watch Your Works "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." (20) Sin is universal. (cf. Romans 3:21-28). Rom. 3:10-12, Ps. 14:1-3 3. Watch Your Words "Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you." 4. What About Women? "But a woman among all these (wise) I have not found" (28) Believer's Study Bible, p. 901: 7:28 "The writer does not deny the existence of an upright woman but says that she is a greater rarity than a good man. Note that the author classifies himself as one of those who has not found wisdom (v. 23). Therefore, he only denies to women what he does not attribute to himself. Solomon's survey of his 700 wives and 300 concubines might well have influenced his decision." (1000 Mother-in-laws) Prov. 31:10-31 III. Life's Inequities (Eccl. 8:1-17) A. The Challenges of Authority (1-9) 1. Ultimate Authority Comes From God "Keep the King's Commandment for the sake of your oath to God" (2) cf. Rom. 13:1-7. Therefore, all submission is based on submission to God. 3 / 6
2. Give Respect to the Position "Do not be hasty to go from His presence" (3a) thing" 3. Don't Compromise Your Beliefs "Do not take your stand for an evil (3b) 4. Be Wise In Questioning Authority "Who may say to him, What are you doing?'" (4b) 5. Timing Is Everything "Because for every matter there is a time and a judgment." (6a) (Eccl. 3:1-8) Verses 5-9 speak to timing, patience and God's Sovereignty. When someone has clear authority over you, they own the schedule. Demonstrable impatience with them may result in your "own hurt" (9). B. The Challenges of Injustice "...there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked" (14) Believer's Study Bible, p. 901: 8:12, 13 "The Preacher is not deceived by the obvious and visible. A sinner may enjoy for a time the pleasures of earthly life despite his continual sinning, yet God will vindicate Himself with the righteous. The sinner may do well despite his sin, but the righteous will do well, enjoying the comfort of a conscience at peace with God in this life and in the life to come. The simile of the shadow,' which vanishes with the sun and leaves no trace, emphasizes the fleeting and transitory nature of the life of the wicked." Prov. 29:1; James 1:10 C. The Challenge of Finding Purpose "When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it." (16-17) The Epicureans believed that life's purpose was summarized in the phrase "eat, drink and be merry" (15). (1 Cor. 15:32) True merriment is only valid when it comes from a heart of gratitude to God 4 / 6
(Col. 2:6-7, 3:15-17; Eph. 5:19-20; Phil 4:6; Heb. 13:15). Application perspective. 1. Don't judge circumstances from a worldly perspective but from God's 2. Live life in the present tense. 3. Obey authority as coming from God. Teaching Packet: Item 17 Chart: To Overlook Unkindness Biblical Illustrator: p. 47, Introducing Ecclesiastes Notes/Dates: Aug. 18 - Adult Leadership Training, Aug. 20 - Bible Study Promotion Day, Aug. 25 - Teacher Training Track 103, Aug. 25 - CSI Houston - Oasis & Rotunda, Aug. 26 - 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. 22 - CSI Houston; Sept. 29-30 Marriage Conf./ Rosbergs, Oct. 7-8 - Luis Palau City Fest, Oct. 14 - First Hope Job Fair, Oct. 27 - CSI Houston, Nov. 10-11 - INSPIRE Conference, Nov. 19 5 / 6
- Christmas Store donations, Nov. 24 - CSI Houston, Nov. 26 - Full Schedule (Thanksgiving), Dec. 2 - MTC Christmas Store, Dec. 8-9 - Christmas Presentation; Dec. 15 - CSI Houston, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve - (both a.m./ss opt; 5 & 11 pm), Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve (Full Schedule). 6 / 6