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ECCLESIASTES – LESSON FOUR

I. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING LIFE UNDER THE SUN (Chapter 4).

A. The sadness of experiencing oppressions with no helper (4:1-3)

1. The dead and those who have never been born are praised for not to

experience this evil (v. 2-3)

B. The frustration of skillful work being met with envy (4:4-6)

1. Yet, foolish to be idle for it produces ruin (v. 5)

2. Having little with contentment better than having much with discontentment (v. 6).

C. The rewards of sharing life with another (4:7-12)

1. Labor just for self is not satisfying (v. 8-9).

2. The benefits of companionship (v. 10-12)

a. One can pick up another when one falls (v. 10)

b. Two together can produce warmth in times of danger (v. 12).

c. Two or more can better withstand times of danger (v. 12)

D. The passing of time and circumstances regarding those in power (4:13-16)

1. An old and foolish king will fall (v. 13)

2. A cunning youth can rise even though poor and imprisoned (v. 14-15).

3. Yet, he too can be despised by later generations (v. 16).

QUESTIONS:

1. What did the writer see in life that caused him to praise the dead?

2. Does the writer praise suicide in certain situations?

3. What is a sad reality in life concerning the skillful work one may do?

 

4. Understanding this reality, what however is still foolish?  Why?

5. What makes one handful better than two?

6. How is one deprived of good regarding his labor?

7. Will a greedy spirit ever be satisfied?

8. What THREE benefits are there in sharing life with another?

9. What TWO facts cause the king to lose favor with his people?

10. What can take his place?

11. If having “power” is your goal in life, what should you consider?