Lesson 23 – Seeking Honesty…Finding Hope – Hear the Conclusion of the Whole Matter

Brian K. DavisFebruary 19, 2012

Seeking AnswersA Study in Ecclesiastes

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Perspective of the Book of Ecclesiastes

• Life Happens in Real Time

• We Cannot Know How Life is Going to Turn Out

• We Cannot Change the Past or Control the Future

• Life Has Meaning with the Proper Perspective

The Author of the Book of Ecclesiastes

• Solomon as the Author brings a number of perceptions about this book:

1. Bitter, Old Man2. Wisest Man Who Lived3. His Apostasy4. Other Considerations – Uninspired

writing, etc.

• Set aside Solomon as the Author to change the perspective of this book:

1. Qoheleth or Preacher is Speaking2. This is a “Preacher’s Story”3. Technique of Inductive Reasoning Used

to derive an answer to the question of life - “What value or purpose is there for living?”

4. Pessimist view, Optimist view or Realist view – You decide?

Perspective: The Tone is Pessimist - Half Empty?

• The Author’s Theme – “All is Vanity” – Remember the key at the front door and at the back door – Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8

• Vanity - means uselessness; it occurs 35 times in 29 verses. Sets a tone for the entire book sans the last few verses• But a key phrase is “under the sun” - it is found 29 times in 27 verses. Sets the place of consideration sans the last few verses.

• Consider the following:1. Human labor is troublesome – 2:182. Severe evil - Riches kept… owner’s hurt – 5:133. Men and Beast have the same fate – 3:194. Recommending death over life – 4:25. Wickedness overruns righteous – 8:146. Sorrow and sickness and anger – 5:177. Grieved, burden and restless with life – 2:23

• Is the Preacher hopeless? Is there no value in his message?

Perspective: The Preacher a Realist When Dealing with a Meaningless Life?

• What he shares is based upon his observations and experience when dealing with life ‘under the sun’

• “Scared-Straight” approach – The author is frank when dealing with a person who chooses to live life ‘under the sun’ – a life without God!

• Is the preacher credible and trustworthy in what he says about a life without God? - Read Ecclesiastes 12:9 – 14.

1. He followed the path of wisdom – Moses, Solomon and Ezra – Deut 6:1-9; Proverbs 1:7; Ezra 7:10

2. His personal experience with emptiness of worldly pursuits – ‘knowledge’ implies more than just facts – 12:9

3. He pondered and sought out – left no stone unturned – 12:9

4. His word are the words of the ‘one Shepherd’ – Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34:1-10 – ‘goads and well-driven nails’

5. The Words of the Shepherd is Sufficient – 12:12 – II Timothy 3:16-17; Matt. 4:4

Perspective: The Preacher is an Optimist for those who ‘Fear God and Keep His Commandments’

The Preacher was pessimistic about a life without God and he was certainly a realist when it came to a life with God. In his realism, the preacher revealed his optimism. (Gleaves, p. 107)

For Wednesday night, please re-read the book of Ecclesiastes with an unbiased view (e.g. an open mind) and determine has your perspective of the book changed.

This book is a call to action for those who are living life ‘under the sun’! And, for those who are on a Heavenly journey, it should serve as a reminder of the blessed life in having a relationship with the Creator! (Notes of Davis)

At the close of this book, the author reminds the ‘hearers’ that there is a judgment to come – with that consideration in mind, how should we conduct ourselves?