Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes Bible Studies From

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 § THE SEARCH: Trying To Find The Meaningful Life 1: 12 – 2: 26 § THE PROBLEM: Understanding God’s Providential Rule Over Life 3: 1 – 5: 20 § THE APPLICATION: Explaining & Applying God’s Plan 6: 1 – 8: 15 § Trusting God & Living Joyfully In An

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § The Vanity Of Possessions 2: 4 -11 § Solomon next tried to find life’s meaning through his building projects vv. 4 -6 § He built houses, parks, gardens, vineyards, and irrigation ponds § All was done “…for myself” Ù The Temple

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § The Vanity Of Possessions 2: 4 -11 § Man’s “projects” he builds for himself are a great & lasting source of pride § They lead to warped thinking Dan 4: 4, 28 -30 § Life’s meaning will not be found here…they are destined for destruction

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § The Vanity Of Possessions 2: 4 -11 § Solomon also enlarged his other “possessions” (slaves, wealth, entertainment) vv. 7 -8 § Solomon’s wealth certainly helped Israel prosper 2 Chron 1: 14 -15 a 1 Kings 11: 3 a

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § The Vanity Of Possessions 2: 4 -11 § Through his “experimentation, ” Solomon became great v. 9 a § He always maintained his wisdom (generally remained in control) v. 9 b § Yet, Solomon did not refuse himself any pleasures (indulgences) v. 10

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § The Vanity Of Possessions 2: 4 -11 § Although his heart was pleased & he felt “rewarded”…he saw it all as “vanity” v. 11 § All his exerted efforts brought no lasting profit “under the sun” § Making these activities the meaning of

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § The man who repeats these “experiments” will not learn anything new v. 12 § He admits wisdom exceeds folly vv. 13 -14 a § Even though the wise will do better

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § This is why the answer to his “search” was not to be found in wisdom cp. 1: 12 -18 § The “crooked” can’t be “straightened” § There is “much grief in wisdom” § Solomon even admits his own

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § Thus, he “hated life”…the “work which had been done under the sun” and the “fruit of his labor” vv. 17 -18 a § It wouldn’t last…it was vain and striving after the wind § It would be left to another after him v.

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § The question plaguing Solomon… vv. 19 -22 § Will he who manages the “fruit” of Solomon’s labor after he is gone do so wisely or foolishly? § Such doesn’t define man Lk 12: 15

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § The question plaguing Solomon… vv. 19 -22 § Will he who manages the “fruit” of Solomon’s labor after he is gone do so wisely or foolishly? § Loving such is a “snare” 1 Tim 6: 9 -10

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § What Solomon Learned 2: 12 -23 § A man who attempts to find life’s meaning and happiness through possessions will not even be able to enjoy peaceful rest at night v. 23 § Worry will consume him § Another grievous vanity !!

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § Solomon’s Conclusions 2: 24 -26 § This is Koheleth’s first glimpse “above the sun” § Man shouldn’t make possessions & pleasure the focus of his life § Rather, he should simply enjoy them as “gifts” from God v. 24 cp. Acts

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § Solomon’s Conclusions 2: 24 -26 § A debated verse in this context Ù v. 25 For who can eat, or who can have Tru e enjoyment, more than I? [KJV, NKJV] For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? [NASV, Septuagint]

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 – 2: 26 THE SEARCH 1: 12 § Solomon’s Conclusions 2: 24 -26 § Re: the one who is good in God’s sight…he will have “wisdom, knowledge and joy” v. 26 a § Re: the sinner…he will only “gather and collect for another” v. 26 b vv. 18 -19 § All he will ever know is vanity

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – 12: 8 § THE SEARCH: Trying To Find The Meaningful Life 1: 12 – 2: 26 § THE PROBLEM: Understanding God’s Providential Rule Over Life 3: 1 – 5: 20 § THE APPLICATION: Explaining & Applying God’s Plan 6: 1 – 8: 15 § Trusting God & Living Joyfully In An

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – THE PROBLEM 12: 8 3: 1 – 5: 20 § Admissions Re: God’s Control 3: 1 -11 § “There is an appointed time for everything…” § Solomon is emphasizing God’s sovereign control over all events that happen in life § To illustrate, he lists 14 “couplets” vv.

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – THE PROBLEM 12: 8 3: 1 – 5: 20 § Admissions Re: God’s Control 3: 1 -11 § Even things man might choose (plant, uproot) must still be done under conditions only God controls (rain, sun, seasons) § These “couplets” might be puzzling in that providence brings about conditions where we do 1 thing

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes The Monologue 1: 12 – THE PROBLEM 12: 8 3: 1 – 5: 20 § Admissions Re: God’s Control 3: 1 -11 § With all these “conditions” under God’s control, Solomon still asks…“What is man’s profit from that which he toils? ” v. 9 cp. 1: 3 § These tasks = something God has given man to “occupy himself with” v. 10

Life Under The Sun Biblical Studies In Ecclesiastes …