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Finding Life's Meaning Under The Sun Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

Dive into the book of Ecclesiastes and explore the search for a meaningful life, understanding God's providential rule, applying God's plan, and living joyfully in an uncertain world. Discover the timeless wisdom and guidance found in this thought-provoking book.

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Finding Life's Meaning Under The Sun Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

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  2. Finding Life's Meaning Under The Sun Bible Studies From Ecclesiastes

  3. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 • THE SEARCH: Trying To Find The Meaningful Life 1:12 – 2:26 • THE PROBLEM: Understanding God’s Providential Rule Over Life 3:1 – 5:20 • THE APPLICATION: Explaining & Applying God’s Plan 6:1 – 8:15 • Trusting God & Living Joyfully In An Uncertain World 8:16 – 12:8 4

  4. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Admissions Re: God’s Control 3:1-15 • God appoints all things vv. 1-11 • God gives man blessings to enjoy vv. 12-13 • God’s will cannot be thwarted vv. 14-15

  5. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Although Koheleth had no problem admitting the previous truths, he also has questions that seem to baffle him • These do appear to be “jarring contradictions” • Key phrases Ù “I saw” or “I have seen”

  6. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there injustice? 3:16-22 • Solomon saw wickedness in the place of justice and righteousness v. 16 • Not the observation of a cynic • He also admits both the righteous & the wicked will be judged by God v. 17

  7. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there injustice? 3:16-22 • Re: such inequity, many live no better than beasts (unreasoning, carnal, etc.) v. 18 • A “test”…how will man choose to live? • Men & beasts “…share the same fate v. 19a • All die…return to dust vv. 19b-20

  8. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there injustice? 3:16-22 • Man has no “advantage” over the beast “under the sun” • All his intellect, moral reasoning, superiority cannot ward off his eventual end • He will die just like the animal

  9. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there injustice? 3:16-22 • What “indicators” point to man’s upward ascent…the beast’s downward descent? v. 21 • Viewed only here “under the sun?” • Viewed with man’s eternal nature? 3:11 cp. 2 Cor 5:10-11 Jn 5:24-29 NONE

  10. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there injustice? 3:16-22 • Who will bring man to see what will occur after him? v. 22 • No one…except God • Despite a puzzling present, man must not be anxious re: an unknown future Mt 6:25-34

  11. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there oppression? 4:1-3 • One of the arguments railed against God, put forth by atheists & agnostics • Why would a “fair & loving God” allow such behavior to exist in a world He rules?

  12. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there oppression? 4:1-3 • Some are oppressed…have no one to comfort them in their distress (tears)v. 1a • Ironically, the oppressors also had no one to comfort them in their power v. 1b (perhaps a reference to guilt, remorse?)

  13. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there oppression? 4:1-3 • Could this possibly be Solomon referencing his own “guilt?” 1 Kings 12:4 • He obviously was not the king in his latter days as he was when he inherited the throne (true in many ways – morally, spiritually)

  14. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there oppression? 4:1-3 • Solomon’s conclusion if this is all there was to life “under the sun” vv. 2-3 • The dead are better off than the living • They don’t have to witness anymore the inhumane way man treats his fellow man

  15. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there oppression? 4:1-3 • Solomon’s conclusion if this is all there was to life “under the sun” vv. 2-3 • Better than both the living & the dead are those who have never been born • They have never witnessed such cruelty

  16. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there envy, rivalry? 4:4-6 • Men try to “out-do” each other v. 4 • Why would a sovereign God allow such dispositions to govern activities among men? • Some will resort to any means to beat others • This is “vanity”

  17. The Monologue 1:12 – 12:8 THE PROBLEM3:1 – 5:20 • Questions Re: God’s Control 3:16 – 4:16 • Why is there envy, rivalry? 4:4-6 • Some may conclude success “under the sun” cannot be achieved any other way • It produces envy Psa 73:1-15 • It ruins the satisfaction of honorable labor and its fruits 2:24-25 3:12-13

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