The Book of Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a fascinating literary work. Its traditional author is Solomon, the great king of Israel and son of David. Many have understood it to be a very sad, even pessimistic, outlook on life, but this really isn’t so. Sadly, many Christians believe it to be of very little value, perceiving that its worldview is humanistic and devoid of the experience of the Holy Spirit, but nothing could be further from the truth. Such a paradigm ignores the fact that all scripture was written for our education and warning against wickedness, not to mention profitable for good doctrine, pointing out specific sins and how to modify our behavior (Romans 15:4; 1Corinthians 10:11; 2Timothy 2:16-17). The book seeks to inform its reader of the joys and dangers of life by examining the ways of men, both wicked and righteous. So, it is not a book that one could wisely ignore. In fact, one does so at one’s own peril.
I really enjoyed this study and was quite surprised with many of the Teacher’s conclusions. Many of the scriptures I used to think I knew how to apply, turned out to be new treasures to be understood and embraced. The old adage: “You can’t judge a book by its cover” played out in this study as: “You can’t judge a book by what others have said about it.” Ecclesiastes is one of those works that needs to be personally experienced. Don’t take my word for it. Read it and study it for yourself!
- What Is the Meaning of Life? …………………………………………………………. Chapter One
- Powerless to Change!
- Vanity of Vanities — All Is Vanity!
- No Matter Who Holds the Reins Vanity Reigns!
- The Meaninglessness of Life …………………………………………………………. Chapter Two
- Ultimately the Wise Are No Better Than Fools!
- Where Is the Justice of This Life?
- The Business That Occupies Mankind ……………………………………………… Chapter Three
- Learning to Honor God
- Hope For the Beasts
- Reality Isn’t Always What It Appears to Be …………………………………………. Chapter Four
- The Vanity of Oppression and Freedom!
- Listen With Your Heart ………………………………………………………………… Chapter Five
- All Things Work Together for Good
- The Foolishness of Hording
- The Evil That Weighs Heavily Upon Men …………………………………………… Chapter Six
- The King Who Should Never Have Been Born
- Striving After the Wind
- Contending with the Lord
- A Good Name Is Better Than Riches ……………………………………………….. Chapter Seven
- Consider the Author of the Play
- Wisdom Is Found in the Lord’s Presence
- The Song of the Fool
- Rejoice at the Table of the Lord
- Consider the Work of God
- Act Wisely During the Days of Your Vanity
- Do Men Have Power Over Good and Evil?
- Wisdom and Folly – A Contrast!
- Who Is Like a Wise Man? ……………………………………………………………. Chapter Eight
- Submitting Regardless of Consequences
- Enduring the Season of an Oppressive King
- Unable to Change the Times or the Seasons
- The Wisdom in Believing God Exists
- One Event Happens to All! ………………………………………………………….. Chapter Nine
- Better a Live Dog Than a Dead Lion!
- Eat Drink and Be Merry!
- Time and Chance Happens to All
- Beware of a Little Folly ……………………………………………………………… Chapter Ten
- The Problem with a Fool
- Count the Cost
- A Little Bird Told Me
- The Work of God Is Unknown to Man …………………………………………….. Chapter Eleven
- Rejoice in Life, But Judgment Follows
- When Will I Remember God, My Creator ………………………………………… Chapter Twelve
- Fear God and Keep His Commandments