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

What is something that you tend to SEE that others don’t? Why?

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: enjoy life in You, fear You, and keep Your commands, because this is for all humanity. Help us to SEE what You want us to SEE so that we can SEE and help others SEE clearly in this life. Prepare us for that day when we meet You and say “I SAW…!”

Study Questions

"I Saw...”

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 4:1

Solomon says “I SAW….” The most common objection to fearing God and obeying Him is “I do not SEE how a loving, good, and all powerful God could allow evil, pain, and suffering.”
1. Have you ever wrestled with this question? What does that question reveal about our expectations, wishes, beliefs, etc?

READ Hebrews 11:1-4, 13-14, John 9:39, 20:29, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9, Job 1:8-9

How do these scriptures help answer that difficult question, and why do we tend to not like the answer we clearly see through the scriptures?

READ Ecclesiates 4:2-3, Job 3:1-3, Matthew 26:37-41, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 18

We think feeling depressed and wanting to be done with life are abnormal feelings. How do these verses push back against the belief that those feelings are abnormal? *(clarification: If you are thinking of ways to end your life, or making plans to end your life, that is abnormal and you need to seek help.)
What is the answer God cleary gives throughout scripture (and in these scriptures) to combat depressed emotions and give us an everlasting hope?

READ Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Have you ever struggled like Solomon with your labor and skills being meaningless, coveting of others, or fatalistic laziness? Why? What do you do to fight it? What should we do to fight it?
Creation itself communicates that most of life is outside of our limited control. Scripture clearly communicates God’s sovereignty in this life and in His time.
1. Why do you think it is so diffcult for us to:
```
…accept the responsibilty for the things we have some ability to control?

…accept the inabilty to direct what we cannot control? 
```