life under the sun biblical studies in ecclesiastes …
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Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
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Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
Bible Studies From EcclesiastesBible Studies From Ecclesiastes
Life Under The SunBiblical 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 Uncertain
World 8:16 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Koheleth has searched…but came up empty 1:12 – 2:23
He “wrestled with” God’s providential and sovereign rule...he knows He is in control, but had trouble harmonizing it with a world that seemed “meaningless” at times 3:1 – 5:18
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
He also reached “above the sun” 2 times for proper conclusions re: life “under the sun”
2:24-26 5:20 Now, it is time to apply what he has learned
6:1 – 8:15
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 It is “evil” for man to possess material blessings
and not be able to enjoy them vv. 1-2 Not blaming God 2:24 5:18 A warning repeated from earlier 2:18
For man to invest so much of himself in things only to see a foreigner get them is “vain”
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 Even if a man fathers a large family and lives
many years, he still may not be able to enjoy material blessings v. 3a
He may not even have a proper burial v. 3b Prosperity doesn’t guarantee the “good life”
will be free of misfortunes
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 Solomon argues a miscarriage is better off than
such a prosperous man vv. 3c-5 It never has to experience such vexation
Even if a man could live 2 lives of 1,000 years, the miscarriage is still better…don’t all men go to the same place? v. 6 cp. 2:14-15
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 “All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet his
appetite (soul) is not full” v. 7 Longing for prosperity will not satisfy 5:10-11
1 Tim 6:9-10 God’s blessings are meant to be used, not
hoarded up cp. Lk 16:9
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 Does the “wise man” have an advantage over
the “fool” in this area? v. 8 Yes…if he uses wisdom from “above the sun”
(He’ll keep wealth in its proper priority) No…if he uses wisdom from “under the sun”
(Wisdom still won’t satisfy him)
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 The solution? Contentment v. 9
“What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires” cp. Phil 4:11-13 1 Tim 6:8
Ethicists cite The Hedonistic Paradox
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
The more one pursues pleasure, the more it eludes him.
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 The solution? Contentment v. 9
Ethicists cite The Hedonistic Paradox No matter what one accumulates, he will not be
satisfied and eventually say, “Enough!!” He must learn the truth of Mt 10:39
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 Solomon also presents arguments re: man’s
“nature” vv. 10-12 Man’s time is limited as a “created” and “named”
being v. 10 Gen 1:26 It does no good to “dispute” with Him who is
stronger than man (i.e. God) v. 11
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Prosperity Is Not Always Good 6:1-12 Solomon also presents arguments re: man’s
“nature” vv. 10-12 Man doesn’t even know his future v. 12 It is sad for man to “fulfill his destiny” with
material wealth that won’t satisfy Lk 12:15 Life is too short Job 14:1-2 Jas 4:14b
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8 The value of a good name v. 1a
“A good name is better than good ointment…” “Name” = character, reputation “Ointment” = wealth, affluence Wealth doesn’t last Prov 23:5b Character does…it outlives you Heb 11:4b
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8 In vv. 1b-8, Solomon presents 5 contrasts that
emphasize adverse (bad) things aren’t always to be disdained
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
THE APPLICATION 6:1 – 8:15
Adversity Is Not Always Bad 7:1-8 Death is better than birth v. 1b
Not saying being born is bad Birth brings life to be lived…exposure to many
of the vexations already mentioned Death brings life’s trouble to an end 4:2 Death also brings the Lord closer Phil 1:23
The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8
Life Under The SunBiblical Studies In Ecclesiastes
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