Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes Personal Application. Too often Christians in the modern church find themselves passive intellectually, accepting almost anything they are taught or simply challenging a doctrine on the basis of how it feels instead of looking to see whether it has a biblical foundation. The Preacher’s challenge finds a parallel in the apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesian Christians not to be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). With the privilege of interpreting the Scriptures for oneself, clearly established by Luther and the Reformers, comes the obligation to “search the Scriptures” (John 5:39) and see what they really say. The determination of the Preacher to find what is of real value in this life should be a challenge for any true believer in Jesus Christ, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Preacher’s failure to find real value in earthly things and comfortable lifestyles challenges the Christian who lives in this age of greed and materialism to concentrate on the things that are above (Col. 3:1) and not to glorify greed and possessions. Spirit filled life study Bible The Need for Ecclesiastes The question inevitably arises, “Why did God ordain that a book which never rises above the sun should be included in the Holy Bible?” First of all, the book was included so that no one will ever have to live through Solomon’s dismal experience, searching for satisfaction where it cannot be found. Natural man instinctively thinks he can make himself happy through possessions, pleasure, or travel on the one hand, or through drugs, liquor, or sexual indulgence on the other. But the message of this book is that someone wiser and wealthier than any of us will ever be in this life has tried and failed. So we can save ourselves all the expense, heartache, frustration, and disappointment by looking above the sun to the One who alone can satisfy—the Lord Jesus Christ. Believer's Bible Commentary “Ecclesiastes” is a translation of the Hebrew word qoheleth, meaning “assembler of the covenant community” and conventionally translated “preacher.” The term “Ecclesiastes” was used by the Septuagint (Greek) translation of the Bible and by the Vulgate (Latin) translation. New Geneva study Bible The following are a few verses I picked out while reading through Ecclesiastes: Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV (9) What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Ever wonder where that phrase comes from? Now you know  Ecclesiastes 1:18 ESV

(18) For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Anyone who has ever pulled an “all-nighter” in college can relate to this verse. Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV (24) There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

Learn to enjoy the life you have right now. Enjoy the job you have – learn to be content with what you have. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV (1) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; (3) a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (4) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (5) a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; (6) a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; (7) a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; (8) a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Timeless words of wisdom – I could read these verses a hundred more times and find a hundred times that they speak to me afresh. Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV (11) He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:15 ESV (15) That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

The older you get the more you realize that there is nothing new under the sun. History does repeat itself. Ecclesiastes 4:6 ESV (6) Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

Another gem of wisdom – so true! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV (9) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. (10) For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (11) Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

(12) And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

It’s not good that man should be alone – we all need each other and together we are stronger than when we fight alone. Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ESV (1) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (2) Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (3) For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. (4) When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. (5) It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (6) Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? (7) For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

This section probably deserves it’s own teaching – in the multitude of words, sin is not lacking. Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV (10) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:15 ESV (15) As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.

Ever wonder where the saying “naked you came and naked you’ll go” comes from? Now you know! Ecclesiastes 6:11 ESV (11) The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?

Sometimes, the less said the better. We all need to learn this  Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV (9) Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

Don’t be the most easily offended person around. Learn to let things go. Ecclesiastes 8:9 NASB (9) All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.

Don’t fall into the power trip over lording it over others. Ecclesiastes 8:11 ESV (11) Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.

I have seen this in operation working with children. We learn from consequences – therefore discipline should be speedily carried out. Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV (10) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Ecclesiastes 11:4 ESV (4) He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

In other words, if you wait for every condition to be just right, you’ll never get anything done. Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV (13) The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

What a wonderful summary of our purpose here on earth.