Introduction
Ecclesiastes is basically a Book of wisdom. Essentially a Book for instructions and
successful living.
The wisdom literature comprises of: Job, Song of Solomon,
Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
The Book of Ecclesiastes attempted to look at the meaning of
life. All these wisdom books were
written by Solomon. Probably Song of
Solomon was written when he was a young man, Proverbs probably during his
middle age, and Ecclesiastes probably written when he was an old man.
King Solomon accomplished a tremendous amount of things in
his life time. He was a preacher,
teacher, and also a King. When God
granted him a wish, he wished for wisdom instead of riches. Indeed he was a very wise King. He ruled Israel for 40 years. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. It was mind blogging how he was able to
manage his family with so many wives!
He said life was meaningless, chasing after the wind. He appeared to be melancholic, sad and
depressed. From chapter 1 to 6, he
described life as meaningless. In
Chapter 7 he changed his tone, but it was about human limitations.
Why study
Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes 7:1-12
New International Version (NIV)
Better
A good name vs Perfumes
Day of death vs Day of birth
House of mourning vs House of feasting
Sorrow vs Laughter
Rebuke of wise man vs Song of fools
End vs Beginning
Patience vs Pride
Ecclesiastes 7:13-29
New International Version (NIV)
V 13-14 Wisdom
to rest in what God is doing
V 15-18 Avoid
depending on your righteousness (not karma)
V 19-24 Wisdom
is valuable but inadequate
V 25-29 True
righteousness and true wisdom non-existent
Be careful of what we do in life, be aware of God’s judgement. Wisdom will help us to decide, give us
strength to guard the City. Do not be
easily offended. Keep away from sexual immorality.
Ecclesiastes 8
New International Version (NIV)
V 1 Wisdom
changes us
V 2-5,9 Wisdom to deal
with authority
V 5-6 Wisdom and
timing
V 7-8 Wisdom and uncertainty
Ecclesiastes 8
New International Version (NIV)
V 10-14 Wisdom and wickedness
V 15 Wisdom and
joy
V 16-17 Trust God
Even to this day, Ecclesiastes is applicable to our modern
living.
Man cannot understand everything. Even if we do not understand can we trust
God?
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