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ECCLESIASTES – LESSON SEVEN

I. PROVERBS CONCERNING VARIOUS FACETS OF LIFE (7:1-29).

A. Better things:

1. A good name is better than precious oil (v.1).

2. The day of death is better than the death of one’s birth (v.1) .

3. The house of mourning is better than the house of mirth (v.2).

4. Sorrow is better than laughter (v. 3-4)

5. Hearing rebuke from the wise is better than hearing the song of fools      (v. 5-7).

6. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning (v. 8-10).

B. Wisdom praised as an inheritance and defense (v. 11-12)

C. Considering the work of God- days of prosperity and days of adversity (v. 13-14)

1. Cannot make straight that which God makes crooked

2. Days of prosperity – rejoice; days of adversity- consider

                  D.   Considering righteousness and wickedness in light of uncertain circumstances

                         (v. 15-18)

                  E.    Wisdom’s strength praised (v. 19)

                  F.  A righteous man – he who does good and sins not – cannot be found (v. 20).

                  G.  Desire not to hear words of your servant, for you may hear words of cursing

                         against you (v. 21-22).

                  H.  Things learned by seeking wisdom (v. 23-29)

   1. Wickedness is folly – foolishness is madness.

                          2. Ensnaring woman more bitter than death – Please God and you will escapeher.

                          3. God made man upright – but man has sought out many inventions.

   

QUESTIONS:

1. Why is a good name better than precious oil?

2. Why is the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth?

3. When can the days of sorrow be better than the days of laughter?

4. When are rebukes good for us?  

5. Why do you not want to hear the “song of fools”?

6. What can take away the understanding of a wise man?

7. Which is better to have: wisdom or money?  Why?  

8. What has God made side by side?  How should you therefore conduct yourself?

9. In considering the alternatives of being righteous and wicked, what should we know and do?

10. What are two characteristics of the man who is righteous? Can such a man be found?

11. Why should you not search out all the time what people are saying?

12. What attitude and action can equip one to escape the snares of the sinful woman?

13. What had Solomon not found as he was laying one thing to another?

14. Is God to blame for man sinning?  Why?  

ECCLESIASTES – LESSON EIGHT

I. WISDOM’S GUIDANCE BY OBSERVING THE INEQUALITIES OF LIFE (Chapter 8-9).

A. Living wisely under the rule of a king  (8:1-8).

1. Wisdom changes an impudent face to shine before the king.

2. Wisdom will cause one to obey the king’s demands.

3. Wisdom recognizes time and judgment for every action- causing one to avoid wickedness.

B. Dealing with the times when there is no retribution upon those exercising power to hurt others (8:9-13).

1. Sentence against evil not executed speedily – men’s hearts are strong to do evil.

2. The wicked’s days though prolonged are like a shadow – fear God.

C. Wisdom of enjoying the fruits of one’s labor that are reach in light of the fact that sometimes the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper (8:14-15).

                  D.   The exercise of wisdom is laborious and still cannot find out the secret ways of

                         God (8:16-9:1)

                  E.    Living with the understanding that the one event of death happens alike to the

                         righteous and wicked (9:2-10).

                         1. Observations that life is better than death: “a living dog is better than a dead lion.”

                         2. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and marriage as your portion in life under the sun.

                         3. Do your work now with all your might – no work done in the realm of the dead.

                  F.  Sometimes the rewards do not come to the favored – sudden calamity can come to all (9:11-12).

                  G.  Wisdom is better than weapons of war (9:13-18).

                         1. Yet, the poor wise man that delivers the city from a stronger power will be forgotten.  

                         2. Yet, one sinner destroys much good.

  

QUESTIONS:

1. If you have a hardened rebellious spirit regarding “authority” in this world, what wise things should you consider?  

2. What did the author see in this world regarding the use of power?

3. What is the result when punishment for wrongdoing is not “speedily” carried out?

4. What should we understand about the wicked, especially when they seem to “prolong” their days?   

5. Therefore, what should we do before God?  

6. What can one do to even in times when the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?

7. What can man not find out regarding work done under the sun?

8. Where  do all the righteous and wicked go?

9. Why is a living dog better than a dead lion?  

10. Why should you eat your bread and drink your wine with a merry heart?

11. What does 9:9 says about how we should look at the institution of marriage?  

12. What should be your attitude toward “work” each day you live?  

13. Why is it that the race is not always won be the swift?  

14. How is our life like that of a fish or a bird?

15. How is wisdom better than strength or power?

16. What is a sad fact about the wise and the good they can provide?