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Ecclesiastes: When All Has Been Heard…

Life is absolutely pointless, miserable, and nothing matters. It’s the same ole, same ole. Do I just live in the now with little hope or future? Do I sacrifice for an earthly legacy that will be squandered and forgotten? The wealthiest and wisest King of Israel wrestled with these very thoughts in Ecclesiastes. Will we arrive at his conclusion, WHEN ALL HAS BEEN HEARD…? #ecclesiastes #2023

Starter

Pray

Lord we pray that You would help us in our study of Ecclesiastes to be in awe of You and obey Your ways. We recognize that all things under the sun are temporal, futile, and meaingless, but not the things of eternity. We recognize that no amount of intellect, wisdom, pleasure, relationships, or power will ever satisfy our eternal longings. When All Has Been Heard…Lord help us arrive at Solomon’s conclusion of the matter: to fear You and keep Your commands, because this is for all humanity. Help us to learn to love life and not say, I HATED LIFE. Amen.

Study Questions

"I Hated Life.”

Solomon would have had the pressure of being King David’s son and seemingly illegitimate heir. However, Solomon believed in the God of Israel and was given the kingship and supernatural wisdom from God (2 Chronicles 1:10, 1 Kings 3:12). He became the most powerful, wealthy, and desirable king of the world. Even though Solomon misused that wisdom, abused his position of authority, and clung to relational idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-2), God never took away his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:3), and that allowed Solomon to see the meaninglessness of life and give us the conclusion of the matter. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

God had Solomon write 3 books as a picture of life. His first book, likely written when he was young, was Song of Solomon about youthful passion and relationship. His second book, likely written in midlife, was Proverbs about the importance of living with wisdom not just passionate feeling. His final book written near the end of his life was Ecclesiastes about the futility of it all and reality of life.

READ Ecclesiastes 2:1-14

  1. Why do you think mankind is so focused on finding meaning in pleasure and achievements? Have you ever tried them? Explain.
    1. What things eventually cause someone to move beyond the “whatever makes you happy” or “look at all I have done” methods to find meaning in life?
  2. We are often in our own heads talking to ourselves like Solomon. Instead of talking to oursleves, what would be some better options biblically? Why?
  3. READ John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, and Acts 26:16-18. How do these words of Jesus help explain the advantage of what Solomon discovered with light (wisdom) and darkness (folly)?
  4. READ Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, Ecc 12:13 Where does true wisdom lead us to find our meaning?

READ Ecclesiastes 2:15-26

  1. Have you ever, like Solomon, HATED or despaired of life? Why or why not?
  2. READ Luke 14:25-27, Matthew 10:22, 24:9-10, Luke 6:22, 21:16-19, John 10:9-11, 15:17-19, 17:13-15. How do Jesus’ words help clarify and answer Solomon’s struggle with HATE and life?
  3. How can we tell the difference between eating, drinking, and enjoying work for our own self fulfillment apart from God versus to the glory of God?
  4. Verse 26 suggests that sinners are working to hand over their goods the the righteous. Do you see that happening in your experience? What do you think Solomon means?
  5. READ John 12:24-28. In what ways does knowing the Messiah (Jesus) and His plan, help us understand the true nature of the world around us and our lives?