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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?