ecclesiastes: in search of life! · ecclesiastes: in search of life! the search for meaning &...

69
ECCLESIASTES: IN SEARCH OF LIFE! The Search for Meaning & Fulfillment in Life ~~ Student Notes ~~ Dr. Bill Miller LESSON ONE: “IN SEARCH OF LIFE!” INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES (1:1-11) Life w/o God at the center is an empty search for fulfillment. Who from: Who to: a) _______________ who are _______________ b) _______________ who are _______________ When: Purpose: Misconceptions: The theme is NOT “All is Vanity”, but “Without God, all is vanity”. OUTLINE Chs. 1-6 Quest for Life Exploration: The Vanity of Earthly Things Theme: “Vanity under the Sun” The 9 Vanities Under the Sun Chs. 7-12 Zest for Life Exhortation: The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom Theme: “The Fear of the Lord”

Upload: others

Post on 14-Mar-2020

7 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

ECCLESIASTES: IN SEARCH OF LIFE!The Search for Meaning & Fulfillment in Life

~~ Student Notes ~~Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON ONE: “IN SEARCH OF LIFE!”INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES (1:1-11)

⇒ Life w/o God at the center is an empty search for fulfillment.

Who from:

Who to:

a) _______________ who are _______________

b) _______________ who are _______________

When:

Purpose:

Misconceptions:

The theme is NOT “All is Vanity”, but “Without God, all is vanity”.

OUTLINEChs. 1-6 Quest for Life

Exploration: The Vanity of Earthly ThingsTheme: “Vanity under the Sun”The 9 Vanities Under the Sun

Chs. 7-12 Zest for LifeExhortation: The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom

Theme: “The Fear of the Lord”

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 2

© Dr. Bill Miller

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 3

© Dr. Bill Miller

1. THE SEARCH (1:1)

1:1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

The Three Purposes of Ecclesiastes:

1. CREATE _______________ – to help readers break free from the illusion that this world satisfies

2. PROVIDE _______________– to prevent believers from becoming enamored w/ the world

3. PREPARE FOR _______________– He shows that a disbelief or lack of concern about God leads to utter vanity.

“Negative Evangelism” – by pointing out the problems of other worldviews

2. THE RESULTS (1:2-3)

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything ismeaningless.” 3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?

Three Key Words:

1. “_______________”

2. “_______________ THE SUN”

3. “GAIN, _______________, PROFIT”

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 4

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. THE _______________ (1:4-11)

4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun risesand the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south andturns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streamsflow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there theyreturn again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never hasenough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again, what hasbeen done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything ofwhich one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it washere before our time. 11 There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who areyet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.a. Generations (1:4)b. ______________ (1:5)c. Wind (1:6)d. ______________ (1:7)e. Human Discontent (1:8)f. Endless ______________ (1:9-10)g. The Forgotten ______________ (1:11)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 5

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON 2: “DEAD-END STREETS”ECCLESIASTES 1:12 – 2:11

⇒ The highest goals of Mind & Body can NEVER satisfy the Soul.

♦ Two major avenues in the pursuit of Life:

1ST – THE AVENUE OF THE _______________ (1:12-18)Hebrew hokmah = _______________

The Search (1:12-13a)

12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and toexplore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.v. 12 Who he _______________

v. 13 What he _______________

The Three Facts of Life (1:13b-15)

What a heavy burden God has laid on men! 14 I have seen all the things that are doneunder the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 15 What is twistedcannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.

The Analysis (1:16-18)

16 I thought to myself, “Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyonewho has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom andknowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also ofmadness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18 For withmuch wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 6

© Dr. Bill Miller

2ND – THE BACK-ALLEY OF THE ______________ (2:1-11)

The Quest & Results (2:1)

2:1 I thought in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what isgood.” But that also proved to be meaningless.♦ Result: _______________

Examples (2:2-8)

2 “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheeringmyself with wine, and embracing folly — my mind still guiding me with wisdom. Iwanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days oftheir lives.

2:4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I madegardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs towater groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had otherslaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone inJerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kingsand provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well — the delights ofthe heart of man.

V.2

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 7

© Dr. Bill Miller

V. 3

VV. 4-6 CULTURE, ART, ARCHITECTURE

VV. 7-8 MATERIALISM & CARNALITY

Solomon’s Splendor 1 Kings 10:14ff; (10:14-15, 21-25)Wives: 1 Kings 11:1-4

Summary (2:9-11)

9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdomstayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart nopleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

V.9 PERSONAL GREATNESS

V. 10 EXTENT OF THE SEARCH FOR ______________

V. 11 RESULT

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 8

© Dr. Bill Miller

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.(1 John 5:11-12)

OUTLINE

Part 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 9

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON 3: THE MT. ST. HELENS OF SUCCESSECCLESIASTES 2:12-26

1. THE VANITY OF _______________ (2:12-16)

A. Varying status makes no difference (2:12-14)

12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. Whatmore can the king’s successor do than what has already been done? 13 I saw thatwisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. 14 The wise man haseyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the samefate overtakes them both.

1) WISDOM HAS ______________ VALUE

2) AS AN ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF LIFE, IT IS _____________.

B. Results (2:15-16)

15 Then I thought in my heart, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do Igain by being wise?” I said in my heart, “This too is meaningless.” 16 For the wise man,like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Likethe fool, the wise man too must die!

THE RESULTS OF EARTHLY WISDOM:

1) _______________ _______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 10

© Dr. Bill Miller

2) _______________ _______________

2. THE VANITY OF _______________ (2:17-23)

A. I hated life because work is ______________ (2:17)

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All ofit is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

THE FRUSTRATION OF WORK:

1. _______________

2. _______________

3. CHASING AFTER THE _______________

B. I hated life because ______________ ______________ (2:18-19)

18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to theone who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skillunder the sun. This too is meaningless.

THE FRUSTRATION OF SUCCESS:

1. I have to ______________________________

2. Whether wise or _______________

3. _______________ will _______________ it

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 11

© Dr. Bill Miller

C. I despaired over life because ______________ ______________ (2:20-

21)

20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a manmay do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he ownsto someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

D. Results (2:22-23)

22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors underthe sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest.This too is meaningless.

3. A RAY OF ______________ (2:24-26)

2:24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or findenjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge andhappiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to handit over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

THREE STATEMENTS FROM A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE:

1. (v.24a) Life is to be _______________

2. (vv. 24b-25) Such life is a _______________ from God

3. (v.26) God gives wisdom, knowledge & joy to the one who _______________ Him

cf. Heb. 11:6

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 12

© Dr. Bill Miller

Summary

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 13

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #4: “IN HIS TIME” ECCLESIASTES 3:1-15

1. GOD HAS A _______________ (3:1-8)

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time tobe born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a timeto heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, atime to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a timeto keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to besilent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a timefor peace.

A. For our _______________ (3:1-3)

B. For our joys & _______________ (3:4-5)

C. For our _______________ circumstances (3:6-8)

2. TRUST HIM (3:9-15)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 14

© Dr. Bill Miller

A. Even as you see the Burdens of Life (3:9-15)

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid onmen. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in thehearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 Iknow that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the giftof God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added toit and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is hasalready been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Trust God because…1. (3:11) He makes all things _______________ in His time

2. (3:11) He has set _______________ in our hearts

3. (3:12-13) He gives the gift of _______________

4. (3:14) His Work _______________ _______________5. (3:15) He will call all things to _______________

B. Even as you see the Problems of Life (3:16-22)

16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment — wickedness wasthere, in the place of justice — wickedness was there.

17 I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked,for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”

18 I also thought, “As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like theanimals. 19 Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: Asone dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over theanimal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, andto dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of theanimal goes down into the earth?”

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that ishis lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 15

© Dr. Bill Miller

♦ The Vanity of Justice1. (3:16-17) As seen in Problems like _______________2. (3:18-22) As seen in Problems like _______________

Summary

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 16

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #5: “YOU, ME & HE” ECCLESIASTES 4:1-16

4 Better ways:

I. _C______________ (4:1-3)

1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I sawthe tears of the oppressed — and they have no comforter; power was on the side of theiroppressors — and they have no comforter. 2 And I declared that the dead, who hadalready died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than both is hewho has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

A. The Problem: ______________ (4:1)

B. The Better Way: ______________ (4:2-3)

♦ John 14:16-17a The Comforter

II. C_______________ (4:4-6)

4 And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor.This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and ruinshimself. 6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasingafter the wind.

A. The Problem: ______________ (4:4-5)

B. The Better Way: ______________ (4:6)

III. C_______________ (4:7-12)

7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he hadneither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content withhis wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself ofenjoyment?” This too is meaningless — a miserable business! 9 Two are better than one,

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 17

© Dr. Bill Miller

because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can helphim up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two liedown together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though onemay be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quicklybroken.

A. The Problem: ______________ (4:7-8)

B. The Better Way: ______________ (4:9-12)

IV. C_______________ (4:13-16)

13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how totake warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may havebeen born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked underthe sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the peoplewho were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor.This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

A. The Problem: ______________, Slithering (4:14-16)

B. The Better Way: ______________

♦ Heb. 13:5 like Jesus

SummaryRomans 12:10 be devoted to one another

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 18

© Dr. Bill Miller

A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 19

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #6: “THE HEART OF THE MATTER” ECCLESIASTES 5:1-7

1. HOW WOULD GOD EVALUATE MY _______________? (5:1)

1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offerthe sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Two things to be certain to do in worship:

1) G_______________ YOUR STEPS

2) G_______________ TO LISTEN

2. (5;2-3) HOW WOULD GOD EVALUATE MY _______________?

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything beforeGod. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 As a dreamcomes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

Three reasons to be careful & brief:

1. YOU ARE IN GOD’S _______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 20

© Dr. Bill Miller

2. GOD IS _______________; YOU ARE NOT

3.MANY WORDS REVEAL THE SPEECH OF A _______________

3. (5:4-7) HOW WOULD GOD EVALUATE MY _______________?

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools;fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do notlet your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the [temple] messenger, “My vowwas a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of yourhands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe ofGod.

How to follow-through:

1. DON’T DELAY TO _______________

a. Seize the first possible moment to follow-through

b. Cast maximum resources at fulfillment of the goal

2. DON’T MAKE _______________, IF YOU WON’T KEEP THEM

3. DON’T _______________ OUT

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 21

© Dr. Bill Miller

Summary

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 22

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #7: “KINGDOM WEALTH” ECCLESIASTES 5:8-20

1. (5:8-12) THE TRUTH ABOUT _______________

The love of money leads to:

A. (5:8-9) _______________

8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not besurprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both areothers higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profitsfrom the fields.

B. (5:10) _______________

10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is neversatisfied with his income. This too is meaningless

♦ 3 words used for ‘money’:♦ ‘money’ = ‘silver’♦ ‘wealth’ = ‘abundance, plenty’♦ ‘income’ = ‘harvest’

C. (5:11-12) _______________

11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to theowner except to feast his eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether heeats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 23

© Dr. Bill Miller

2. (5:13-17) THE _______________ OF SECULAR WEALTH

Two Grievous Evils:

(5:13-14) GRIEVOUS EVIL #1

13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, 14or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing leftfor him.

(5:15-17) GRIEVOUS EVIL #2

15 Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takesnothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.

16 This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain,since he toils for the wind? 17 All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration,affliction and anger.

Four words describe those who love money:

♦ 1) “_______________” = misery

♦ 2) “_______________” = over lost opportunities

♦ 3) “_______________” = sickness, emotional/physical

♦ 4) “_______________” = rage over thwarted ambitions

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 24

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. (5:18-20) KINGDOM WEALTH

18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to findsatisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has givenhim — for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions,and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a giftof God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupiedwith gladness of heart.

Three priceless gifts when Jesus is Lord:

1. (5:18) THE GIFT OF _______________ IN YOUR LIFE

2. (5:19) THE GIFT OF _______________ IN YOUR WORK

3. (5:20) THE GIFT OF _______________ IN YOUR HEART

Summary:

Seneca, Roman writer: “Money has never yet made anyone rich.”

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 25

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 26

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #8: “WHEN THE INSATIABLE MEETS THE INFINITE”ECCLESIASTES 6:1-12

1. WHERE’S THE _______________? (6:1-6)

A. (6:1-2) Example #1: _______________ Blessing

1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives aman wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but Goddoes not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This ismeaningless, a grievous evil.

B. (6:3-6) Example #2: _______________ Blessings

3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long helives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that astillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness,and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, ithas more rest than does that man — 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over butfails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 27

© Dr. Bill Miller

2. ARE YOU _______________? (6:7-9)

7 All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. 8 Whatadvantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how toconduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of theappetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

3. GOD: THE INFINITE ONE (6:10-12)

10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no mancan contend with one who is stronger than he. 11 The more the words, the less themeaning, and how does that profit anyone?

12 For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days hepasses through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after heis gone?

A. The Earthling’s ______________ (6:10a)

♦ “man” = ‘admah’ (Hebrew)

B. The Weakling’s ______________ (6:10b)

C. The Wiseman’s ______________ (6:11)

D. Satisfying answers to ______________ Questions (6:12):

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 28

© Dr. Bill Miller

Summary:

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 29

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #9: “HOW TO GUARD YOUR HEART”ECCLESIASTES 7:1-12

1. (7:1-4) CONSIDER YOUR _______________

1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day ofbirth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, fordeath is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. 3 Sorrow is betterthan laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. 4 The heart of the wise is in thehouse of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

2. (7:5-7) HEED _______________

5 It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 6 Like thecrackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless. 7Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 30

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. (7:8-10) CONTROL YOUR _______________

8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. 9 Donot be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 10 Do not say,“Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

4. (7:11-12) THE RESULT: _______________

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. 12Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: thatwisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

A. Wisdom = _______________ = ‘shadow’

B. 2-step argument

1) WISDOM, LIKE $ IS _______________

2) WISDOM IS BETTER ⇒ _______________!

C. Jesus is Wisdom

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 31

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 32

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #10: “THE SERENDIPITY OF WISDOM”ECCLESIASTES 7:13 – 8:1

1. THE _______________ FOR WISDOM (7:13-14)

13 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the oneas well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

Wisdom does two things:

1) _______________ YOUR SOUL (7:11-12)

2) GIVES YOU A DIVINE _______________ (7:13-14)

2. THE _______________ OF WISDOM (7:15-29)

A. (7:15-18) Wisdom Grants _______________

15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing inhis righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. 16 Do not beoverrighteous, neither be overwise — why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked,and do not be a fool — why die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and notlet go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes].

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 33

© Dr. Bill Miller

TWO WARNINGS:

Watch out for sinful _______________

Watch out for sinful _______________

7:15

7:16

7:17

7:18

B. (7:19-22) Wisdom Grants _______________

19 Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. 20 There is nota righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. 21 Do not pay attentionto every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you — 22 for you knowin your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

TWO TRUTHS:

1) All are _______________

2) Therefore, we need _______________ (v.19)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 34

© Dr. Bill Miller

C. (7:23-29) Wisdom Grants _______________

THREE TRUE STATEMENTS ABOUT WISDOM:

1) (7:23-24) We cannot make ourselves _______________

23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise” — but this wasbeyond me. 24 Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound — who candiscover it?

2) (7:25-26) Only God can save from _______________

25 So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and thescheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.26 I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap andwhose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner shewill ensnare.

3. (7:27-29) There is only One Wise Man – _______________!

27 “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: “Adding one thing toanother to discover the scheme of things — 28 while I was still searching but not finding— I found one [upright] man among a thousand, but not one [upright] woman amongthem all. 29 This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone insearch of many schemes.”

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 35

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. (8:1) THE _______________ OF WISDOM

8:1 Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens aman’s face and changes its hard appearance.

SUMMARY:

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 36

© Dr. Bill Miller

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 37

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #11: “WISDOM, WICKEDNESS & WORK”ECCLESIASTES 8:2-17

1. (8:2-8) W_______________

A. (8:2-5) _______________ to Authority

2 Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3 Do not be in ahurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will dowhatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What areyou doing?” 5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heartwill know the proper time and procedure.

B. (8:6) _______________ Judgment

6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man’s miseryweighs heavily upon him.

1) SENSE OF _______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 38

© Dr. Bill Miller

2) WISE _______________

3) _______________ UNDER PRESSURE

C. (8:7-8) Recognition of Limitations

7 Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? 8 No man has powerover the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one isdischarged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

HUMAN LIMITS:

1) _______________

2) _______________ /_______________

3) Wages of _______________

2. (8:9-14) W_______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 39

© Dr. Bill Miller

A. (8:9) S_______________Destruction

9 All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a timewhen a man lords it over others to his own hurt.

B. (8:10-11) S_______________ Destruction

10 Then too, I saw the wicked buried — those who used to come and go from the holyplace and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless.

11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people arefilled with schemes to do wrong.

C. (8:12-14) S_______________ Destruction

12 Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I knowthat it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. 13 Yet becausethe wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will notlengthen like a shadow.

14 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who getwhat the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too,I say, is meaningless.

3. (8:15-17) W_______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 40

© Dr. Bill Miller

A. (8:15a) Enjoy _______________

15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sunthan to eat and drink and be glad.

B. (8:15b-16) Enjoy Your _______________

Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him underthe sun.

16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man’s labor on earth — hiseyes not seeing sleep day or night —

C. (8:17) _______________your God

17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun.Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wiseman claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

Summary:

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 41

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 42

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #12: “NO GUARANTEES!”ECCLESIASTES 9:1-18

1. 9:1-6 EVERYONE _______________

A. (9:1-3) All share a common destiny

1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what theydo are in God’s hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him. 2 All share acommon destiny — the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and theunclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, sowith the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to takethem.

3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakesall. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their heartswhile they live, and afterward they join the dead.

B. (9:4-6) Where there’s life, there’ hope

4 Anyone who is among the living has hope — even a live dog is better off than a deadlion! 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have nofurther reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate and

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 43

© Dr. Bill Miller

their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anythingthat happens under the sun.

2. 9:7-10 ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OF _______________

A. (9:7) C__________________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 44

© Dr. Bill Miller

B. (9:8) C__________________

8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.

C. (9:9) C__________________

9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that Godhas given you under the sun — all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and inyour toilsome labor under the sun.‘helek’ = ‘lot, portion, share’

D. (9:10) C__________________

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where youare going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

3. 9:11-18 YOUR __________________IS IN GOD’S HANDS

A. (9:11-12) Destiny vs. __________________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 45

© Dr. Bill Miller

11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle tothe strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to thelearned; but time and chance happen to them all.

12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, orbirds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly uponthem.

FIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, NONE OF WHICH GUARANTEE SUCCESS:

1) S__________________

2) S__________________

3) W__________________

4) I__________________

5) E__________________

WHY?

1) __________________limits us

2) __________________limits us

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 46

© Dr. Bill Miller

B. (9:13-18) Wisdom vs. __________________

13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 Therewas once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it,surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a manpoor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poorman. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom isdespised, and his words are no longer heeded. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more tobe heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,but one sinner destroys much good.

1) (9:13-15) THE ______________

2) (9:16-18) THE ______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 47

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)C. Ch. 9 Heavenly Wisdom & DestinyA Common Destiny for All: Death (9:1-18)

Common Destiny despite Righteousness (9:1-6)Conclusion (9:7-10)Common Results despite Abilities (9:11-18)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 48

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #13: “THE FOUL FRUIT OF FOLLY”ECCLESIASTES 10:1-20

1. 10:1-3 THE NATURE OF __________________

1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. 3 Even ashe walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.10:1

10:2

10:3

2. 10:4-7 FOLLY IN ATTITUDES: __________________

4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay greaterrors to rest. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arisesfrom a ruler: 6 Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.10:4

10:5-7

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 49

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. 10:8-11 FOLLY IN WORK: __________________

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by asnake. 9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may beendangered by them. 10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength isneeded but skill will bring success. 11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is noprofit for the charmer.

10:8

10:9

10:10-11

♦ “success” = ‘yitron’

♦ Wisdom: 1) __________________the way for success

2) Wisdom ____________________________________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 50

© Dr. Bill Miller

4. 10:12-14 FOLLY IN WORDS: __________________

12 Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness — 14 andthe fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming — who can tell him what willhappen after him?

10:12

10:14

5. 10:15-20 FOLLY IN LIFESTYLE: __________________

15 A fool’s work wearies him; he does not know the way to town. 16 Woe to you, O landwhose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. 17 Blessed are you, Oland whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time — for strengthand not for drunkenness. 18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, thehouse leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money isthe answer for everything. 20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse therich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on thewing may report what you say.

10:15

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 51

© Dr. Bill Miller

10:16

♦ Illustrations of folly:o 1) Immaturity in L__________________ (v.16a)

o 2) Debauchery in L__________________ (v. 16b)

10:18

10:19

10:20

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 52

© Dr. Bill Miller

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 53

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)C. Ch. 9 Heavenly Wisdom & DestinyA Common Destiny for All: Death (9:1-18)

Common Destiny despite Righteousness (9:1-6)Conclusion (9:7-10)Common Results despite Abilities (9:11-18)

Folly’s Destructive Fruit (10:1-20)On one’s Character (10:1-4)On the World (10:5-7)On one’s Work (10:8-11)On one’s Conversation (10:12-15)On the Government (10:16-20)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 54

© Dr. Bill Miller

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 55

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #14: “HOW TO FIND SATISFACTION IN YOUR WORK”

ECCLESIASTES 11:1-8

1. (11:1-6) WORK, REMEMBERING YOUR __________________

11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 2 Giveportions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon theland. 3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls tothe south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. 4 Whoever watchesthe wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not knowthe path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannotunderstand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning,and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

A. Your __________________

1) YOU DO NOT ______________

♦ v. 5 ruah (Hebrew)

2) YOU CANNOT ______________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 56

© Dr. Bill Miller

B. Your __________________

2. (11:1-6) WORK, RECOGNIZING GOD’S __________________

11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 2 Giveportions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon theland. 3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls tothe south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. 4 Whoever watchesthe wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not knowthe path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannotunderstand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning,and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed,whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

A. GOD IS __________________

1) ______________, V.5

2) ______________, VV. 3,4,5

B. GOD GRANTS __________________

C. THEREFORE, WORK BY __________________

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 57

© Dr. Bill Miller

3. (11:7-8) WORK, REDEEMING THE __________________

7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8 However many years a manmay live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they willbe many. Everything to come is meaningless.

A. R__________________

B. R__________________

C. THEREFORE, R__________________

SUMMARY:

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 58

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)C. Ch. 9 Heavenly Wisdom & DestinyA Common Destiny for All: Death (9:1-18)

Common Destiny despite Righteousness (9:1-6)Conclusion (9:7-10)Common Results despite Abilities (9:11-18)

Folly’s Destructive Fruit (10:1-20)On one’s Character (10:1-4)On the World (10:5-7)On one’s Work (10:8-11)On one’s Conversation (10:12-15)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 59

© Dr. Bill Miller

On the Government (10:16-20)Exhortation to Trust God (11:1-8)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 60

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #15: “SPENDING YOUR LIFE”ECCLESIASTES 11:9 – 12:8

Two Attitudes toward Time:

♦ __________________, 1:2-11

♦ __________________, 11:7 – 12:1

1. (11:9-10) BE __________________IN LIFE

9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the daysof your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know thatfor all these things God will bring you to judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from yourheart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

A. BE HAPPY (11:9)

1) THE IMMUTABILITY OF __________________

2) WHY THE COMMAND IS NECESSARY FOR YOUTH

♦ Martin Luther: “Youth need joy as much as food & drink.”

B. DON’T __________________ (11:10)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 61

© Dr. Bill Miller

2. (12:1-8) REMEMBER THE ____________________________________

A. REMEMBER HIM IN YOUR __________________ (12:1-2)

12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble comeand the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” — 2 before thesun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after therain;

1) While there is still physical __________________♦ “before the days of trouble come”

2) While there is emotional __________________♦ “before you say ‘I find no pleasure in them”

B. REMEMBER HIM __________________OLD AGE (12:3-5)

3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinderscease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; 4 whenthe doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up atthe sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; 5 when men are afraid of heights andof dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper dragshimself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home andmourners go about the streets.

1)2)3)4)5)6)7)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 62

© Dr. Bill Miller

C. REMEMBER HIM BEFORE __________________ (12:6-8)

6 Remember him — before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; beforethe pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7 and the dustreturns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!”

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 63

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)C. Ch. 9 Heavenly Wisdom & DestinyA Common Destiny for All: Death (9:1-18)

Common Destiny despite Righteousness (9:1-6)Conclusion (9:7-10)Common Results despite Abilities (9:11-18)

Folly’s Destructive Fruit (10:1-20)On one’s Character (10:1-4)On the World (10:5-7)On one’s Work (10:8-11)On one’s Conversation (10:12-15)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 64

© Dr. Bill Miller

On the Government (10:16-20)Exhortation to Trust God (11:1-8)Fear God & Keep His Commandments (11:9 – 12:14)

Exhortation to Enjoy One’s Youth (11:9 – 12:8)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 65

© Dr. Bill Miller

LESSON #16: “GOADS & NAILS & THE WORD OF GOD”ECCLESIASTES 12:9 –14

1. THE ______________ (12:9-10)

9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. Hepondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched tofind just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.12:9

12:10♦ Hebrew yosher = ‘that which is straight; upright;’

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 66

© Dr. Bill Miller

2. THE ______________ (12:11-12)

11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embeddednails — given by one Shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

A. GOADS & NAILS

12:11

1) G__________________

2) N__________________

B. THE ONE ______________

12:12

3. THE WILL OF ______________ (12:13-14)

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep hiscommandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. 14 For God will bring every deedinto judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.12:13

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 67

© Dr. Bill Miller

12:14

Conclusion:

♦ Let men R___________________ (11:9)

♦ R___________________ (12;1),

♦ and F___________________ (12:13)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 68

© Dr. Bill Miller

OUTLINEPart 1: “Quest for Life” or Exploration: “The Vanity of Earthly Things” (chs. 1-6)A. Introduction: The Meaningless Circle of Life (1:1-11, 12-15)B. The Nine Vanities (1:12-6:12)

The Quest through Personal Experience (ch.1-2)#1) The Vanity of Education (1:16-18)#2) The Vanity of Pleasure (2:1-10, 11)#3) The Vanity of Wisdom (2:12-14, 15-16)#4) The Vanity of Work (2:17-23, 24-26)

⇒ A Ray of Hope Break-through: The Divine Plan of God (3:1-8, 9-15)The Quest through General Observation (ch.3-6)#5) The Vanity of ‘Justice’ (3:16-21, 22)#6) The Vanity of Relationships (4:1-16)#7) The Vanity of ‘Religion’ (5:1-7)#8) The Vanity of Riches (5:8-17, 18-20)#9) The Vanity of Honor (6:1-12)

Part 2: “Zest for Life” or Exhortation: “The Excellence of Heavenly Wisdom”(chs. 7-12)A. Ch. 7 Heavenly Wisdom & Spiritual LifeThe Wisdom of Death (7:1-12, 13-14)The Value of Wisdom (7:15-26, 27-29)

Wisdom, the Golden Mean (7:15-18)The Self-restraint of Wisdom (7:19-22)The Difficulty of Attaining True Wisdom (7:23-29)

B. Ch. 8 Heavenly Wisdom & Earthly LifeThe Mystery of God’s Plan (8:1-17)C. Ch. 9 Heavenly Wisdom & DestinyA Common Destiny for All: Death (9:1-18)

Common Destiny despite Righteousness (9:1-6)Conclusion (9:7-10)Common Results despite Abilities (9:11-18)

Folly’s Destructive Fruit (10:1-20)On one’s Character (10:1-4)On the World (10:5-7)On one’s Work (10:8-11)On one’s Conversation (10:12-15)On the Government (10:16-20)

Ecclesiastes: In Search of Life! 69

© Dr. Bill Miller

Exhortation to Trust God (11:1-8)Fear God & Keep His Commandments (11:9 – 12:14)

Exhortation to Enjoy One’s Youth (11:9 – 12:8)Epilogue (12:9-14)

Author’s Authority (12:9-11)God’s Authority (12:12-14)